Vegetation changes relate to forests (trees or shrubs) or herbaceous (forbs, graminoids) vegetation.
Changes leading to loss, conversion or degradation are deforestation, degradation, selective logging, defoliation, thinning and dieback. Recovery is associated with growth, succession and thickening.
Cutting down or removing one or two species of trees while leaving the rest intact. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains NTV. Reduction in canopy cover and height (above a certain height level; typically maturity).
The natural growth of forests. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains NTV. Increases in vegetation height and cover and (potentially) number, height and cover of understory layers.
The increase in density, cover and biomass of indigenous woody or shrubby plants. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains NTV.
The division of continuous habitat by vegetation clearance for human land-use activities, which isolates the remnant patches of vegetation and the species within them and limits genetic flow between populations. From vegetated to non-vegetated (level 1). Level 3: from NTV (P1) to AS (P2).
The re-establishment of vegetation in areas that have been cleared or highly modified. The mix of plant species may not be the same as that of the original vegetation. Non-vegetated to vegetated (level 1). Level 3: from AS or BS (P1) to NTV (P2).
Mortality of vegetation that is permanent. Level 3: NTV or NAV (P1) to NTV or NAV (P2). Level 4: Permanent of canopy cover but similar height (typically over periods of weeks to months).
The return of native vegetation on an area of land that has previously been cleared through natural (fire, flood, etc.) or unnatural (cleared for development or agriculture) causes. From non-vegetated to vegetated (level 1). Level 3: AS or BS (P1) to NTV (P2).
Any combination of loss of soil fertility, absence of forest cover, lack of natural function, soil compaction, and salinisation that impedes forest recovery. Can remain vegetated and can also move towards non-vegetated (level 1). Level 3: NTV (P1) to NS (P2). Time period: years to decades.
The clearing of forest to make way for development or agriculture. From vegetated land to non-vegetated, unless used for agriculture (level 1). Level 3: NTV (P1) to AS, BS or CTV (P2).
The restoration or reconstruction of native vegetation to its former species composition and condition. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains NTV.
The process or pattern of replacement or development of an ecosystem after disturbance. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains NTV. Time period: months to years.
Re-establishment of forest through planting and/or deliberate seeding on land classified as forest. Can move from non-vegetated, or remain vegetated (level 1). Level 3: AS, NS, or CTV to NTV. Time period: months or years to decades.
A plant or animal that has been introduced into a region in which it does not naturally occur and that becomes established and spreads, displacing naturally occurring species. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains vegetated. Level 4: change in life form. Time period: years to decades.
Frequency, extent, intensity and timing of bushfires. Time period: days to weeks.
An unplanned fire, whether accidentally or deliberately lit (in contrast to a planned or managed fire lit for specific purposes such as fuel reduction). Time period: days to weeks.
The process of removing some plants or part of plants in a forest plantation to make space for the growth of others. Remains vegetated (level 1). Level 3: remains NTV. Time period: days to weeks.
