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Articles in this issue by the National Land & Water Resources Audit (the Audit) and the Bureau of Rural Science (BRS) emphasise the need for nationally consistent information collation and reporting mechanisms.

All states and territories have invested considerable time and effort to describe, map and better understand their vegetation extent and composition. Through a collaborative effort with the states, territories and supporting agencies, the Audit and BRS, have developed nationally consistent reporting criteria allowing agencies at both the national and state levels to better monitor and evaluate the impact of vegetation management policies and practices.

Such data sets can provide a national picture on aspects of native vegetation extent and composition. Over time, these data sets can provide critical information about rates of change in vegetation cover, changes in land
use and impacts of land use policies.

Thinking Bush Issue 5, on page 16 provides a framework for mapping vegetation condition, known as Vegetation Assets, States and Transitions (VAST) developed by BRS, and on page 26 of the same issue describes key attributes for describing and mapping revegetation activities that can be recorded
to provide nationally consistent information.

In this issue of Thinking Bush, articles by the Audit and BRS explain the mechanisms for compiling nationally consistent data sets and standardising the methods of describing and mapping vegetation.

High quality data and information provided at the appropriate scales for decision making can lead to better resource management decisions. Over time, users of this data such as policy makers and land managers can make better adaptive decisions with respect to sustainably managing our vegetation resources. The articles provide an entry point to accessing further information on national vegetation datasets and how this information can assist users in making informed regional planning
and investment decisions.

- John Childs