The information presented is drawn from research and resources of varying detail. Most resources included or discussed are not from the scientific literature. Rather, they are drawn from material designed to assist vegetation managers. The scientific literature however, is the primary source of many documents. Most of the research described and summarised in advisory resources was first published in the scientific literature, where it has been subject to peer review, and where it can be challenged and criticised by researchers with differing views. Discerning readers should look beyond the listed resources to the scientific literature, particularly where the information guides a long-term or potentially costly decision.

The selection of resources developed for a particular region or landscape that have the potential to be transferable across different regions or landscapes raises limitations. Our confidence in data, information and understanding varies significantly between regions. While many research investments at a property level are based on the premise of being able to transfer the results elsewhere, this can be difficult in practice because of the variability of the Australian landscape. Scale is an important issue. While we might feel confident applying certain information at a particular scale, it does not necessarily follow that the same information can be applied with the same level of confidence at a different scale. It might not be appropriate, for example, to extrapolate a property-level technique to a regional level or vice versa. Such limitations are discussed throughout.

Some of the resources listed are not recent, but are included because they are well presented, contain valuable and still-relevant information or are significant in our understanding of native vegetation. New ideas change how we think about native vegetation, so some parts of the older resources listed may be out of date. Where possible Greening Australia will use new resources to update both the guides on the website at www.greeningaustralia.org.au. The websites of the organisations providing the resources should also be checked for updates and new material. Refer to the ‘Where to get help’ chapter for links to these organisations.