This criterion is concerned with two of the fundamental components of a forest ecosystem: soil and water. Forests are important for soil conservation because they contribute directly to soil production and maintenance, and prevent or reduce soil erosion. Forested catchments also provide and protect high-quality water supplies for a range of uses.
Criterion 4 is available as an accessible PDF [3.2 MB]
Data
The data for the tables and figures presented in Criterion 4 of Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 are available by Indicator here:
| Data for Indicator 4.1a [41 KB] | Data for Indicator 4.1b [43 KB] | Data for Indicator 4.1c [41 KB] |
| Data for Indicator 4.1d [38 KB] | Data for Indicator 4.1e [45 KB] |
The data for the tables and figures for all indicators in Criterion 4 [182 KB] are also available in a single zip file.
Maps
Downloadable versions of maps from Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 are available at Maps and other graphics.
Spatial data
Downloadable spatial data for forest cover, forest tenure, forest fires, and the Indigenous forest estate from Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 are available at Forest spatial data.