NatureMaps Help - Download Spatial Information

This page describes how to download spatial data from NatureMaps as an ESRI shapefile. ESRI shapefile format is a spatial vector data format that can be used in GIS applications.

If you are after a printable version of your map, you should use the 'print to PDF button' to create a PDF version of your map.

Downloading spatial information in NatureMaps

Downloaded data will be cropped to the current extent of your NatureMaps, and saved as a shapefile in the GDA94 Longitude/Latitude coordinate system.

How to download

To download a spatial dataset simply:

1. Turn on the layer you wish to download by ticking the layer's check box .

2. Zoom to the extent that you would like to download (downloaded data will be cropped at this extent).

3. Now simply click the download tab and follow the prompts to download your layer in a zip file.

Data suitability and Metadata A Layer's metadata is information that describes the layer including how and when it was captured, categorised and maintained. By reading the metadata you can determine if the data is accurate enough, is captured at a suitable resolution and is suitable for your needs. You can view a layer's metadata inside NatureMaps by clicking on the layers name in the NatureMaps layer list or clicking on one of the downloadable layers listed below.

Downloadable layers in NatureMaps

Any NatureMaps layer ending with (D) or indicated as can be downloaded in NatureMaps.

Layers currently available for download are:

• Native Veg Cover (D)
• Biosphere Reserves (D)
• NPWSA Reserves (D)
• IBRA Associations (D)
• IBRA Subregions (D)

Coordinate systems

A coordinate system defines how spatial information is transformed and presented. NatureMaps spatial data is available for download in the 'Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994' (GDA94) coordinate system using longitude/latitude based coordinates. (GDA94: EPSG:4283).

Information about Datums and Coordinates and the GDA94 datum is available from Geoscience Australia website.

Downloaded an empty zip file?

If NatureMaps returns an empty zip file but there are features within your map extent, click the tab (or zoom in/out) and then click the tab to download again.

Clarification of shapefile field names

When fields in the downloadable IBRA layers are converted to shapefiles some of the field names are cropped.
While the contents of the tables remain unaffected the following shapefile field names are changed:

IBRA Associations

IBRA Subregions