The EnSym Native Vegetation Regulations (NVR) tool has been developed to assist proponents who require a permit to clear native vegetation or establish offset sites. It also helps identify areas in the landscape that would meet specific offset requirements stipulated for proposed clearing. To find out more about the EnSym Native Vegetation Regulations Tool please click on the link below:
https://ensym.biodiversity.vic.gov.au/nvr_tool

EnSym – Environmental Systems Modelling Platform – is a decision support software designed to provide:

• simple and intuitive access to complex science that helps prioritise natural resource investment;

• an understanding of the environmental benefits delivered by actions undertaken in the landscape; and

• a framework for scientists and researchers to test and apply empirical and process-based scientific models.

EnSym provides users with an evidence-based framework to support decision-makers on how and where to invest to maximise environmental outcomes.

EnSym employs scientific models to understand the impact that actions such as revegetation, weed control and riparian management, have on the landscape. Users can visualise, test and interpret results of changes in climate, land use and land management practices through a single user-friendly interface.

Scientific models included in EnSym are peer reviewed, published and under continual refinement by researchers. Models are grouped into five toolboxes that relate to different sections of the landscape and analytical capabilities. Models utilise temporal (rainfall and temperature) and spatial (soil type, elevation, land use and groundwater) data as inputs and other data sources can be added as required.

EnSym links science with natural resource management and decision-making. EnSym provides benefits to:

• Field and research staff working with landholders to assess the impact of changes in land use and management for production and environmental purposes

• Catchment managers or planners wanting to understand complex interactions in the landscape and how the greatest environmental outcomes can be generated with available funding

• Investors and policy makers seeking to fund new projects and evaluate the impacts of land use changes and the effectiveness of policy scenarios

• Advanced researchers working on projects with a variety of needs, such as pre-experimental modelling and calibration, at the farm or catchment scale.

Assists with natural resource management reporting

EnSym provides practitioners with tools to access external data bases and generate site-specific management plans to guide landholders in the delivery of on-ground environmental works. EnSym links with GPS (Global Positioning System) technology to save time and reduce the costs of managing, reporting and processing data.

Assists in the application of market-based approaches to environmental management

Market-based approaches have proven to be successful in achieving cost-effective environmental outcomes. EnSym distils complex information and generates practical outputs to enable the broad application of these market-based approaches. In Victoria (Australia), EnSym has been used to map management sites, process site information and field data, and estimate environmental impacts for a variety of environmental projects.

Simulates hydrological outcomes

Modifying the landscape has an impact on both the surface and groundwater systems, including the volume of water available for production and environmental purposes. EnSym can estimate how changes to land use will impact on groundwater levels and surface water quality (erosion and nutrient transport) and quantity (stream flow).

Improves understanding about landscape connectivity and function

Landscape connectivity and configuration have a significant impact on landscape function, particularly the movement of many indigenous species and the location of refuge areas during climate change and drought. EnSym can estimate the benefits of actions in any given location, based on its contribution to landscape function.

Provides a research platform for scientists

EnSym is an effective system for testing and applying new and emerging science. EnSym has simulation and statistical tools with a simple interface that enables researchers to analyse and visualise spatial and temporal modelling outputs. Multiple programming languages can be used in one platform, providing researchers with access to a wide range of scientific biophysical and empirical landscape models.

• User friendly and intuitive to use
• Mapping: multiple spatial data formats can be imported and exported for visualisation and analysis
• Compatible with GIS: ability to interface with GPS and other GIS units by importing and exporting files. This enables easy loading of data obtained during a site visit
• Spatial analysis: data can be loaded at a range of resolutions (20–500 metre grids) for scientific modelling at farm and catchment scale. A variety of data can be loaded simultaneously and statistical information generated for a specific site
• Centralised data storage enables access to a variety of data sources from one location while using one software system. Data layers can be easily added and removed
• Models: credible scientific models cover a wide range of landscape interactions, including groundwater, surface flow, salinity, erosion, carbon, ecology, nutrients and plant growth
• Simulations can be run to predict a range of environmental outcomes
• Easy integration: new landscape models can be easily incorporated, ensuring science is up-to-date
• Environmental benefit scores: environmental outcomes affecting native vegetation, river, wetland and catchment health can be scored
• Site management plans: management plans can be automatically generated, saving time and effort. EnSym can also overlay aerial photography into management plans to help identify regions of interest
• Web enabled: can access web-delivered services such as remote data and mapping storage systems

• 4 GB RAM (minimum)
• Intel dual core processor / I5 processor / I7 processor
• 40GB of free disk space
• Windows XP/Windows 7 (32 bit or 64 bit)
• Dedicated graphics card