Since 1997 the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA)has invested significant resources in developing 1:50,000 vegetation mapping for the Wet Tropics bioregion. The mapping project includes data capture from interpretation of approximately 4000 aerial photographs at 1:25,000. Some 90,000 polygons have been described and digitized with respect to their biocondition and their conservation values.

The polygon accuracy exceeds 1 ha. Seventy distinct broad vegetation types and 251 vegetation communities have been described, mapped and incorporated into the Wet Tropics Management Authority GIS.

The initial major component of WTMAps was the production of thirty 1:50 000 hard-copy vegetation maps of the areas identified by users as being of highest demand. The information had to be presented in a form accessible and user-friendly for researchers, planners, operation staff, local government, industry, landholders as well as the general public. In order for this to happen a classification system suitable for field, research and planning uses had to be developed.

This paper will provide an overview of the history and methodology of the vegetation mapping of the Wet Tropics Bioregion, with a special emphases on the cartographic design process.