Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network: Vegetation Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia, 2012-2016
Abstract: The Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network Vegetation Survey Data contains transect, plot- and subplot-based vegetation data collected from 175 sites spread across the montane ash forests of the Central Highlands in Victoria, Australia between 2012 and 2016.
This is part of a much larger dataset that began in 1983, when the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network research plots commenced. Vegetation related data is collected annually from 105 of 175 sites (mainly sites burnt in 2009) and every 2 to 3 years from the remaining 70 sites (unburnt sites).
Vegetation species are recorded along transects. A Height versus Diameter matrix is used to record all woody plants and tree ferns over 2m in height within the three 10 x 10 m plots situated along the transect. A basal sweep is done in the middle of each 10 x 10 m plot. Basal Area Factor 1m squared is used with the number of Acacia species recorded, as well as whether the tree is alive or dead. Seedling plots (1mx1m) are located in the middle of each of the three 10mx10m plots and all living plant species which are less than 5 m in height with their bases rooted within the 1 x 1 m plots are recorded by height increments in the table.
A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network’s full program is provided at http;//doi.org/10.25911/5c3c278c59da2
Sampling method: Each long term monitoring site is 3 hectares. Vegetation data is collected annually, but not all plots are surveyed every year. The majority subset (60% - and the same subset each year) are surveyed annually, the remainder are surveyed every 2-3 years. The annual survey sites are those that were burnt in 2009, plus a few extras. The less frequently surveyed sites are the long unburnt/green sites that have less annual change. Vegetation data is collected annually, but not all plots are surveyed every year. The majority subset (60% - and the same subset each year) are surveyed annually, the remainder are surveyed every 2-3 years. The annual survey sites are those that were burnt in 2009, plus a few extras. The less frequently surveyed sites are the long unburnt/green sites that have less annual change.
Study extent: Each monitoring site is 3 hectares, with monitoring occurring only on the central hectare which is usually square, measuring 100m x 100m or occasionally sites measuring 200m x 50m where they interface gullies. Please refer to "Geographic Coverage", "Taxonomic Coverage and Classification", and "Temporal Coverage" for further details.
Project funding: Between 2012 and 2018 this project was 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.
Other funding agencies supporting this research project for various periods include: Parks Victoria (2004-2019); Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2004-2005); Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2006-2011); Thomas Foundation (2009); Australian Research Council Discovery Program DP1097170 (2010-2015); National Environmental Research Program, Environmental Decisions Hub (2011-2014); Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (2014-2018); Graeme Wood Foundation (2015-2017); and National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub (2015-2020)
Type
collection
Title
Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network: Vegetation Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia, 2012-2016
Alternate Title
Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network: Vegetation Surveys, 2012-2016
Collection Type
Dataset
Access Privileges
Long Term Ecological Research Network
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
10.25911/5c4549b65ee59
Metadata Language
English
Data Language
English
Brief Description
The Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network Vegetation Survey Data contains transect, plot- and subplot-based vegetation data collected from 175 sites spread across the montane ash forests of the Central Highlands in Victoria, Australia between 2012 and 2016.
A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://doi.org/10.25911/5c3c278c59da2
Full Description
Abstract: The Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network Vegetation Survey Data contains transect, plot- and subplot-based vegetation data collected from 175 sites spread across the montane ash forests of the Central Highlands in Victoria, Australia between 2012 and 2016.
This is part of a much larger dataset that began in 1983, when the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network research plots commenced. Vegetation related data is collected annually from 105 of 175 sites (mainly sites burnt in 2009) and every 2 to 3 years from the remaining 70 sites (unburnt sites).
Vegetation species are recorded along transects. A Height versus Diameter matrix is used to record all woody plants and tree ferns over 2m in height within the three 10 x 10 m plots situated along the transect. A basal sweep is done in the middle of each 10 x 10 m plot. Basal Area Factor 1m squared is used with the number of Acacia species recorded, as well as whether the tree is alive or dead. Seedling plots (1mx1m) are located in the middle of each of the three 10mx10m plots and all living plant species which are less than 5 m in height with their bases rooted within the 1 x 1 m plots are recorded by height increments in the table.
A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network’s full program is provided at http;//doi.org/10.25911/5c3c278c59da2
Sampling method: Each long term monitoring site is 3 hectares. Vegetation data is collected annually, but not all plots are surveyed every year. The majority subset (60% - and the same subset each year) are surveyed annually, the remainder are surveyed every 2-3 years. The annual survey sites are those that were burnt in 2009, plus a few extras. The less frequently surveyed sites are the long unburnt/green sites that have less annual change. Vegetation data is collected annually, but not all plots are surveyed every year. The majority subset (60% - and the same subset each year) are surveyed annually, the remainder are surveyed every 2-3 years. The annual survey sites are those that were burnt in 2009, plus a few extras. The less frequently surveyed sites are the long unburnt/green sites that have less annual change.
Study extent: Each monitoring site is 3 hectares, with monitoring occurring only on the central hectare which is usually square, measuring 100m x 100m or occasionally sites measuring 200m x 50m where they interface gullies. Please refer to "Geographic Coverage", "Taxonomic Coverage and Classification", and "Temporal Coverage" for further details.
Project funding: Between 2012 and 2018 this project was 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.
Other funding agencies supporting this research project for various periods include: Parks Victoria (2004-2019); Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2004-2005); Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2006-2011); Thomas Foundation (2009); Australian Research Council Discovery Program DP1097170 (2010-2015); National Environmental Research Program, Environmental Decisions Hub (2011-2014); Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (2014-2018); Graeme Wood Foundation (2015-2017); and National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub (2015-2020)
Methods
Plot set-up
1
Basal wedge, laser rangefinder, DBH tape, plot marker pins.
Vegetation survey data was collected on all 175 permanent 1ha sites in the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest study every 2nd or 3rd year. In the other years, all burned sites plus a sample of unburned sites were surveyed.
Vegetation Surveys
2
Basal wedge, laser rangefinder, DBH tape.
Each 1 ha site (100m x 100m) had a central transect bisecting the site from the middle of the front edge to the middle of the rear edge. Along the transect were three plots (10m x 10m), located between 10m-20m, 50m-60m and 90m-100m each plot bisected by the transect. In the centre of each plot was a 1m x 1m seedling subplot.
Species diversity:
A record is taken whenever a species is observed within 5m either side of the central transect (marked ‘T’) and additionally if the species is seen within any of the three 10x10 m plots a ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’ are additionally listed in the box next to the species. (Example “T/1/3 Acacia dealbata” would mean A.dealbata. was seen in plot 1 and plot 3 and on the transect). If a species is seen only within a 10x10 m plot, it is still recorded on the transect as the transect includes the three plots. If a species is identifiable but dead, it is not recorded. Immediately post fire, species were recorded as live, dead, or burnt. If a species is associated only with the roadside vegetation, the species is marked ‘R’. If the species is only observed elsewhere on the site outside the 10 x 100 m transect, it is listed with a diagonal slash across the box or ‘S’ to indicate it is present elsewhere on the site.
Height v Diameter matrix:
The Height v Diameter matrix records all the woody plants and tree ferns (no grasses, bracken, sedges, climbers etc.) over 2 m within the three 10x10 m plots. Every stem has Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and overall height measured and the species is entered in the matrix. Multiple stemmed plants generally have a count for each individual stem over 1.3m high (the height at which DBH is measured), so a single Correa or Olearia plant (for example) may be counted as multiple stems. Tree ferns with fronds that extend above 2 m are recorded in the diameter class of their trunk, even if this is below 1.3 m high. Tree ferns with trunks shorter than 1.3 m are still recorded as a single occurrence.
Stems are listed as either alive ‘L’, or dead ‘D’. For example “Adx3 (D)” denotes three dead Acacia dealbata.
The Height v Diameter matrix originally was a single table for each site, with all three plots entered into the one table. In 2012, this was split into three individual tables, one for each 10 x 10 m plot to help with identifying change over time.
Basal wedge of Acacia:
A basal sweep is done in the middle of each 10 x 10 m plot, using the “bottle opener” type basal wedge, using the ‘BAF 1’ slot. The number of each species of Acacia is recorded, as well as whether the tree is alive or dead. Trees shorter than 2 m are not counted. Trees on a lean greater than 45 degrees are not counted.
Seedling plots:
All species that are rooted within the 1m x 1m plots (usually located in the centre of the 10m x 10m plots), and are alive, are recorded by height increments in the table. Where the species is a sprawling ground cover (e.g. Stellaria, wire grass, geranium etc.), an estimate of rooting nodes is taken.
Species diversity:
A record is taken whenever a species is observed within 5m either side of the central transect (marked ‘T’) and additionally if the species is seen within any of the three 10x10 m plots a ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’ are additionally listed in the box next to the species. (Example “T/1/3 Acacia dealbata” would mean A.dealbata. was seen in plot 1 and plot 3 and on the transect). If a species is seen only within a 10x10 m plot, it is still recorded on the transect as the transect includes the three plots. If a species is identifiable but dead, it is not recorded. Immediately post fire, species were recorded as live, dead, or burnt. If a species is associated only with the roadside vegetation, the species is marked ‘R’. If the species is only observed elsewhere on the site outside the 10 x 100 m transect, it is listed with a diagonal slash across the box or ‘S’ to indicate it is present elsewhere on the site.
Height v Diameter matrix:
The Height v Diameter matrix records all the woody plants and tree ferns (no grasses, bracken, sedges, climbers etc.) over 2 m within the three 10x10 m plots. Every stem has Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) and overall height measured and the species is entered in the matrix. Multiple stemmed plants generally have a count for each individual stem over 1.3m high (the height at which DBH is measured), so a single Correa or Olearia plant (for example) may be counted as multiple stems. Tree ferns with fronds that extend above 2 m are recorded in the diameter class of their trunk, even if this is below 1.3 m high. Tree ferns with trunks shorter than 1.3 m are still recorded as a single occurrence.
Stems are listed as either alive ‘L’, or dead ‘D’. For example “Adx3 (D)” denotes three dead Acacia dealbata.
The Height v Diameter matrix originally was a single table for each site, with all three plots entered into the one table. In 2012, this was split into three individual tables, one for each 10 x 10 m plot to help with identifying change over time.
Basal wedge of Acacia:
A basal sweep is done in the middle of each 10 x 10 m plot, using the “bottle opener” type basal wedge, using the ‘BAF 1’ slot. The number of each species of Acacia is recorded, as well as whether the tree is alive or dead. Trees shorter than 2 m are not counted. Trees on a lean greater than 45 degrees are not counted.
Seedling plots:
All species that are rooted within the 1m x 1m plots (usually located in the centre of the 10m x 10m plots), and are alive, are recorded by height increments in the table. Where the species is a sprawling ground cover (e.g. Stellaria, wire grass, geranium etc.), an estimate of rooting nodes is taken.
File Descriptions
lvic_vegetation_basal_wedge_of_acacia_2012-2016_p927t1245.csv
| a_dea_alive |
| ||||||
| a_dea_dead |
| ||||||
| a_fri_alive |
| ||||||
| a_fri_dead |
| ||||||
| a_obl_alive |
| ||||||
| a_obl_dead |
| ||||||
| description | Basal wedge of Acacia survey data for Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network 2012+ | ||||||
| number of records | 1210 | ||||||
| other_alive |
| ||||||
| other_dead |
| ||||||
| plot_number |
| ||||||
| site_code |
| ||||||
| survey_date |
| ||||||
| survey_year |
|
lvic_vegetation_height_diameter_matrix_2012-2016_p927t1244.csv
| abundance |
| ||||||
| conditions |
| ||||||
| dbh |
| ||||||
| description | Height versus diameter matrix survey data for Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network 2012+ | ||||||
| height |
| ||||||
| number of records | 96092 | ||||||
| site_code |
| ||||||
| species |
| ||||||
| survey_date |
| ||||||
| survey_year |
| ||||||
| visit_code_1 |
|
lvic_vegetation_seedlings_plots_2012-2016_p927t1246.csv
| abundance |
| ||||||
| description | Seedling plots survey data for Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network 2012+ | ||||||
| number of records | 7663 | ||||||
| plot_number |
| ||||||
| seedling_height |
| ||||||
| site_code |
| ||||||
| species |
| ||||||
| survey_date |
| ||||||
| survey_year |
| ||||||
| visit_code_1 |
|
lvic_vegetation_species_diversity_2012-2016_p927t1243.csv
| description | Species diversity survey data for Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network 2012+ | ||||
| number of records | 9545 | ||||
| site_code |
| ||||
| species |
| ||||
| survey_date |
| ||||
| survey_year |
| ||||
| visit_code_1 |
|
lvic_vegetation_basal_wedge_of_acacia_2012-2016_long_p927t1256.csv
| abundance |
| ||||||
| description | Basal wedge of Acacia survey data (long format) for Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network 2012+ | ||||||
| number of records | 9680 | ||||||
| plot_number |
| ||||||
| site_code |
| ||||||
| species |
| ||||||
| status |
| ||||||
| survey_date |
| ||||||
| survey_year |
|
Contact Email
david.lindenmayer@anu.edu.au
Contact Address
Fenner School of Environment & Society
ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment
Frank Fenner Building 141
Linnaeus Way
CANBERRA, ACT, 0200
Australia
Contact Phone Number
+61 2 612 50654;
+61 427 770 593
Contact Fax Number
+61 2 6125 0746
Principal Investigator
David Lindenmayer
Supervisors
David Lindenmayer
Collaborators
Warwick Papst;
Melbourne Water;
Parks Victoria;
Lachlan McBurney;
David Blair
Fields of Research
0501 - Ecological Applications;
0602 - Ecology
Keywords
GCMD:Earth Science > Biosphere > Vegetation;
LTERN Monitoring Theme:Vegetation structure;
LTERN Monitoring Theme:Plant species composition;
LTERN Monitoring Theme:Plant species abundance;
LTERN Monitoring Theme:Individual plants;
keyword:Stem counts;
keyword:Permanent plot;
keyword:Hollows;
Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest;
Vegetation Surveys
Type of Research Activity
Strategic basic research
Date Coverage
2016-05-06
2012-04-02
Geospatial Location
Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia
text
northlimit = -37.342523; southlimit = -37.919069; westlimit = 145.477922; eastLimit = 146.195374
iso19139dcmiBox
Date of data creation
2018-10-24
Year of data publication
2018
Creator(s) for Citation
Lindenmayer
David
Publisher for Citation
Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN), ANU Data Commons, The Australian National University
Related Websites
ANU Open Research, Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN) collection
http://hdl.handle.net/1885/130861
Other Related Identifiers
MorphoId:ltern7.135;
PackageId:927
Access Rights
Co-authorship with the data provider (Professor David Lindenmayer) of any publication of research utilising this data is an expected outcome.
The data provider also requests consultation, including a summary of the proposed research and intended use, before publication of research utilising this data is possible.
Access Rights Type
Open
Rights held in and over the data
Creative Commons Licence (CC BY- Attribution) is assigned to this data. Details of the licence can be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
https://datacommons.anu.edu.au.
Licence Type
CC-BY - Attribution (Version 4)
Licence
LTERN Deed: 48
Date of execution: 2017-07-10
Retention Period
Indefinitely
Extent or Quantity
5
Data Management Plan
No
Status: Published
Published to:
Published to:
- Australian National University
- Australian National Data Service
Related items
- hasAssociationWith:
Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network data packages, 1983-2018 [anudc:5557] - hasAssociationWith:
Mr Lachlan McBurney [anudc:5601] - hasAssociationWith:
David Blair [anudc:5577] - hasAssociationWith:
Professor David Lindenmayer [anudc:5580] - hasAssociationWith:
Parks Victoria [anudc:5639] - hasAssociationWith:
Melbourne Water [anudc:5635] - hasAssociationWith:
Warwick Papst [anudc:5628]