Pre-colonial Plant Species Likelihood for Melbourne

A plant species list details the likelihood of each species occurring within the City of Melbourne area before 1835. The dataset uses a coded classification system for occurrence likelihood and includes threat statuses from the FFG and EPBC Acts as of May 2022. It was produced by researchers from the Arthur Rylah Institute.

Use Cases

• Model the historical distribution of plant species using the coded likelihood classification for ecological reconstruction.
• Analyze correlations between a species' pre-colonial occurrence likelihood and its modern threat status from the FFG and EPBC Acts.
• Map potential pre-colonial vegetation communities within the City of Melbourne based on species with a 'Quite likely' or 'Highly likely' classification.

Strengths

• Includes a detailed, multi-level classification system for pre-colonial occurrence likelihood.
• Threat statuses are sourced from authoritative legislative lists (FFG Act, EPBC Act) as of May 2022.
• Data is explicitly geolocated to the City of Melbourne area with a defined historical cutoff date of 1835.

Limitations

• The total number of species (rows) and specific data fields (columns) are unknown, limiting assessment of scope and structure.
• Methodology details are contained in an external report, requiring additional review for full understanding.
• The data represents a modeled historical reconstruction, not direct observational records.

Provenance

Source

Arthur Rylah Institute (S.J. Sinclair, G. Sutter, M. Duncan), via City of Melbourne Open Data.

Collection Method

Based on the 'Pre-colonial plant list for the City of Melbourne' report; methodology documented therein.

Time Range

Pre-1835 (pre-colonial period).

Freshness

Last updated March 2026.

Geography

City of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.