The Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) monitoring land cover change and greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland

Prior to the commencement of the Australian Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) project the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory estimated that land clearing for agriculture and pastoralism accounted for 24% of the total national greenhouse gas emissions on a carbon dioxide equivalent basis. Queensland has been identified as having the highest source of emissions as a result of tree clearing. Queensland is one of the last states to clear its land for agriculture and pastoralism. Most of this clearing for pastoralism occurs in woodland areas to increase pasture productivity. Estimates of tree clearing in Queensland, based on surveys of clearing contractors, herbicide sales and other sources, fluctuated wildly from 200,000-1,000,000 hectares per year. This large variation in quoted figures was a source of contention and hampered informed public debate. The Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI) estimated that the rate of carbon storage due to regrowth of trees, forest thickening and growth of woody weeds would more than balance the release of greenhouse gases through clearing. QDPI theorised that the land use and forestry sector may be a net sink for greenhouse gases in Queensland. In response to the lack of quantitative information the Queensland Government established the SLATS project. SLATS aims to improve the greenhouse gas inventory for the land use and forestry sector in Queensland and to provide information for review of vegetation management policies in Queensland