LTERN Data Portal

Desert Ecology Plot Network: Vegetation Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 2012

Citation

Wardle, G; Dickman, C (2014): Desert Ecology Plot Network: Vegetation Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 2012. Long Term Ecological Research Network. http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern2.28.57/html

Download EML
Identifier
docid
ltern2.28.57
Data Creators
Individual
Professor Glenda Wardle
Position
Plot Leader
Organization
The University of Sydney
Individual
Professor Chris Dickman
Position
Plot Leader
Organization
The University of Sydney
Abstract

This vegetation data package comprises structure and floristic data for selected points across grids described in related data packages. Vegetation attributes were recorded in an area occupying 2.5 m radius around six traps on each trapping grid and have been aggregated to grid level data. Percentage cover of all plant species, flowering index and seeding index (from 0-5, where 0 is no flowering or seeding and 5 is maximal flowering/seeding) were recorded and are presented here as plot averages which represent the mean amount of flowering or seeding per species. The network program uses a core of 12 sites, sampled every April-May, however in 2012 there was not a complete survey, and so there are only 2 (Field River South and Main Camp) sites represented in this table. The trapping survey aims to quantitatively track long-term shifts in biodiversity and ecological processes in relation to key drivers, including unpredictable rainfall and droughts, fire, feral predators and grazing. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Desert Ecology Plot Network's full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/desert-ecology

Contacts for Questions on the Use and Interpretation of Data
Individual
Professor Glenda Wardle
Position
Plot Leader
Organization
The University of Sydney
Address
Heydon-Laurence Building A08
The University of Sydney
Sydney. NSW 2006
Australia
Phone
voice
02 9351 7113 or 0425 382 205
Email Address
glenda.wardle@sydney.edu.au
Individual
Professor Chris Dickman
Position
Plot Leader
Organization
The University of Sydney
Address
Heydon-Laurence Building A08
The University of Sydney
Sydney. NSW 2060
Australia
Phone
voice
02 9351 2318
Email Address
chris.dickman@sydney.edu.au
Individual
Dr Aaron Greenville
Position
Research Assistant
Organization
The University of Sydney
Address
Heydon-Laurence Building A08
The University of Sydney
Sydney. NSW 2006
Australia
Phone
voice
02 9351 8577
Email Address
aaron.greenville@sydney.edu.au
Individual
Mr Bobby Tamayo
Position
Operational Manager
Organization
The University of Sydney
Address
Heydon-Laurence Building A08
The University of Sydney
Sydney. NSW 2060
Australia
Phone
voice
02 9351 8577
Email Address
bobby.tamayo@sydney.edu.au
Project Information and Data Owners
Title
Desert Ecology Plot Network Research Group
Personnel
Role
Data Owner
Individual
Professor Glenda Wardle
Position
Plot Leader
Organization
The University of Sydney
Role
Data Owner
Individual
Professor Chris Dickman
Position
Plot Leader
Organization
The University of Sydney
Role
Plot Network Contact
Individual
Dr Aaron Greenville
Position
Research Assistant
Organization
The University of Sydney
Role
Plot Network Contact
Individual
Mr Bobby Tamayo
Position
Operational Manager
Organization
The University of Sydney
Funding

Since 2012 this project has been part of the Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN). This work was supported by the Australian Government’s Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network (www.tern.org.au) – an Australian research infrastructure facility established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and Education Infrastructure Fund–Super Science Initiative through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.

Methods and Sampling Information
Methods
Method Step 1
Description
Plot setup

The network program uses 12 sites which are spaced at least 15 km apart, each comprising at least two 1-ha trapping grids, or plots which are spaced between 0.5-2 km apart. Additional grids have been used at some of the sites. Trapping grids are set out with thirty-six traps arrayed in a grid covering 1 ha; each grid comprises 6 lines of 6 traps spaced 20 m apart. Vegetation attributes (plant species occurrence and cover estimates) are recorded in a 2.5 m radius around pitfall traps on each vertebrate trapping grid.

Method Step 2
Description
Data collection

Percentage cover of all species, flowering index and seeding index (from 0-5, where 0 is no flowering or seeding and 5 is maximal flowering /seeding) are recorded. This index represents the total amount of flowering or seeding per species. For example, a score of 5 is awarded if all plants are flowering or seeding at their greatest extent. Sampling intervals are usually in April-May and samples are taken at the same time as the animal trapping. Data are recorded on paper field sheets.

Method Step 3
Description
Trip Report

Data are entered electronically into an Excel spreadsheet using a customised template that allows for data validation. Data are rechecked for errors in transcribing and for consistency in species names and outlier values. Once verified, data sheets are imported into a database for ease of queries and long-term archive (MS Access). After every field trip, a ‘trip report’ is written to document the activities, and events in the survey. The trip reports can be found at http://www.desertecology.edu.au/

Sampling
Study Extent Description

The network program uses a core of 12 sites which are spaced at least 15 km apart, each comprising two 1-ha trapping grids, or plots which are spaced between 0.5-2 km apart. The project involved sampling vegetation structure and plant species composition on the live-trapping grids (used for mammal and reptile sampling) in the Simpson Desert since 1990. Vegetation attributes (plant species occurrence and cover estimates) are recorded in a 2.5 m radius around six pitfall traps on each vertebrate trapping grid (one trap/line, selected at random - see Figure 6.5). The same traps on each grid are re-surveyed each trip; in general, these surveys are conducted around two traps each on the swale, side and crest of the dune. The core of 12 sites are sampled every April-May, however in 2012 there was not a complete survey, and so there are only 2 (Field River South and Main Camp) sites represented in this table. Other elements of the plot network’s full program share the sampling structure and core sites/plot/grid configuration of the study design.

Sampling Description

The core of 12 sites are sampled every April-May, however in 2012 there was not a complete survey, and so there are only 2 (Field River South and Main Camp) sites represented in this table.

Keywords and Subject Categories
LTERN Monitoring Themes
  • Vegetation structure
  • Plant species composition
  • Plant species abundance
ANZSRC-FOR
  • 0602
GCMD
  • Biological Classification > Plants
Keywords
  • Seeding index
  • Flowering index
  • Percentage cover of plant species
Geographic Coverage
Geographic Description
Simpson Desert, Western Queensland.
Bounding Coordinates
West
137.865106 degrees
 
East
138.605896 degrees
 
North
-23.205485 degrees
 
South
-23.994174 degrees
 
Temporal Coverage
Date
2012
Taxonomic Coverage and Classification
Taxonomic System
Classification Citation
Title
Wildflowers & plants of inland Australia
Creators
Organization
Urban A
Publication Date
2001
Wildflowers & plants of inland Australia Urban A 2001
Type
BOOK
Publisher
Organization
Paul Fitzsimons, Alice Springs, NT.
ID Name
Organization
Unknown
Procedures
Unknown
Classification
  • Genus
    Acacia
     
    Species
    hookeri
  • Genus
    Adriana
     
    Species
    dictyophleba
  • Genus
    Adriana
     
    Species
    hookeri
  • Genus
    Adriana
     
    Species
    species
  • Genus
    Aristida
     
    Species
    contorta
  • Genus
    Aristida
     
    Species
    species
  • Genus
    Calandrinia
     
    Species
    balonensis
  • Genus
    Convolvulus
     
    Species
    erubescens
  • Genus
    Crotalaria
     
    Species
    cunninghamii
  • Genus
    Crotalaria
     
    Species
    eremaea
  • Genus
    Eragrostis
     
    Species
    eriopoda
  • Genus
    Eremophila
     
    Species
    longifolia
  • Genus
    Eriachne
     
    Species
    aristidea
  • Genus
    Euphorbia
     
    Species
    drummondii
  • Genus
    Euphorbia
     
    Species
    tannensis
  • Genus
    Evolvulus
     
    Species
    alsinoides
  • Genus
    Frankenia
     
    Species
    gracilis
  • Genus
    Goodenia
     
    Species
    cycloptera
  • Genus
    Grevillea
     
    Species
    stenobotrya
  • Genus
    Halgania
     
    Species
    cyanea
  • Genus
    Haloragis
     
    Species
    gossei
  • Genus
    Lechenaultia
     
    Species
    divaricata
  • Genus
    Newcastelia
     
    Species
    spodiotricha
  • Genus
    Oldenlandia
     
    Species
    pterospora
  • Genus
    Paractaenum
     
    Species
    refractum
  • Genus
    Pluchea
     
    Species
    rubifloria
  • Genus
    Ptilotus
     
    Species
    polystachyus
  • Genus
    Scaveola
     
    Species
    depauperata
  • Genus
    Senna
     
    Species
    pleurocarpa
  • Genus
    Sida
     
    Species
    fibulifera
  • Genus
    Sida
     
    Species
    species
  • Genus
    Sida
     
    Species
    trichopoda
  • Genus
    Tephrosea
     
    Species
    rosea
  • Genus
    Trachymene
     
    Species
    glaucifolia
  • Genus
    Trianthema
     
    Species
    pilosa
  • Genus
    Tribulus
     
    Species
    terrestris
  • Genus
    Trichodesma
     
    Species
    zeylanicum
  • Genus
    Triodia
     
    Species
    basedowii
  • Genus
    Triumfetta
     
    Species
    winneckeana
Intellectual Rights, Licence and Usage Conditions

CC-BY-4_0 Special Conditions: Data users must request permission from the Data Provider (Glenda Wardle or Chris Dickman) before access to latitudinal and longitudinal data is granted. • Data relating to the exact location of grids (i.e. latitudinal and longitudinal data) is restricted to mediated access in order to mitigate the risk of interference or theft of threatened or rare species. • All other Project or Background Data will be open.

Data Table
ltern_derg_vegetation_data_2012.csv
Name
ltern_derg_vegetation_data_2012.csv
Description
Vegetation data comprising floristics and structure for selected points across grids.
Attribute Information
Year
Name
Year
Label
Year
Definition
Year of survey
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
YYYY
MonthYear
Name
MonthYear
Label
MonthYear
Definition
Month and year of survey identifier
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
Mmm.YY
TripNo
Name
TripNo
Label
TripNo
Definition
Arbitrary trip identifier
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
SiteName
Name
SiteName
Label
SiteName
Definition
Name of site
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
SiteGrid
Name
SiteGrid
Label
SiteGrid
Definition
Site and trapping grid code
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
Species
Name
Species
Label
Species
Definition
Species present
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
AvgOf cover
Name
AvgOf cover
Label
AvgOf.cover
Definition
Mean % cover across grid, calculated from 6 surveys around traps
Measurement Type
ratio
Measurement Domain
Standard Unit
dimensionless
Number Type
whole
AvgOfFL
Name
AvgOfFL
Label
AvgOfFL
Definition
Mean flowering across grid, calculated from 6 surveys around traps (scored on a scale from 0 (none) to 5 (abundant))
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Calculated from 6 surveys around traps (scored on a scale from 0 (none) to 5 (abundant))
AvgOfSeed
Name
AvgOfSeed
Label
AvgOfSeed
Definition
Mean seeding across grid, calculated from 6 surveys around traps (scored on a scale from 0 (none) to 5 (abundant))
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
calculated from 6 surveys around traps (scored on a scale from 0 (none) to 5 (abundant))
DeadAlive
Name
DeadAlive
Label
dead alive
Definition
Plant dead or alive
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
Genus
Name
Genus
Label
Genus
Definition
Plant genus
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
species
Name
species
Label
species
Definition
Plant species
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Text
Number Of Records
127
Physical Structure Description
Object Name
ltern_derg_vegetation_data_2012.csv
Size
11198 byte
Text Format
Number of Header Lines
1
Record Delimiter
#x0A
Attribute Orientation
column
Simple Delimited
Field Delimiter
,
Distribution
Online
URL
ltern2.29.6
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[read] cn=allusers,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
Additional Metadata Links
additionalLinks
Additional Metadata : additionalLinks
Metadata
additionalLinks
url
@name
Desert Ecology Plot Network Homepage
http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/desert-ecology
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[read] public
[read] uid=Greenville,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=Wardle,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=Dickman,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=Tomayo,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org