<p>This data set provides the photosynthetic pathways for 2428 species recorded across 541 plots surveyed by Australia’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) between 2011 and 2017 (inclusive). TERN survey plots are 1 ha (100 x 100 m) permanently established sites located in a homogeneous area of terrestrial vegetation. At each plot, TERN survey teams record vegetation composition and structural characteristics and collect a range of plant samples using a point-intercept method. Species were assigned a photosynthetic pathway using literature and carbon stable isotope analysis of bulk tissue collected by TERN at the survey plots. </p><p>The data set is comprised of two data tables and one data descriptor that defines the values in the two data tables. The first table contains a list of each species and its photosynthetic pathway. The second table includes a list of all the peer-reviewed sources used to create this data set. </p><p>This data set will be updated on an annual basis as TERN’s plot network expands and new information becomes available. </p>

The dataset contains maps of total % C₃ and C₄ plant cover, proportional C₃ and C₄ vegetation (relative to combined C₃ and C₄ cover), and vegetation &delta;¹³C isoscape (stable carbon isotope values) across Australia. Data are centered on year 2015. We used vegetation and land-use rasters to categorize grid-cells (100 m²) into woody (C₃), native herbaceous (C₃ and C₄), and herbaceous cropland (C₃ and C₄) cover. TERN Ecosystem Surveillance field surveys and environmental factors were regressed to predict native C₄ herbaceous cover. These layers were combined and a &delta;¹³C mixing model was used to calculate site-averaged &delta;¹³C values.

This dataset lists plant species vouchered for identification from Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> Plant specimens are methodologically collected at each site as part of the AusPlots Vegetation vouchering method. Recorded information includes the site, date of collection and a voucher barcode. The specimen data is updated with the identification date and authority details when species identification is confirmed by the Herbaria. <br /> Plant population and community, soil, basal area and structural information are also assessed at each site. See AusPlots Vegetation vouchering and Rangelands Vocabularies for a list of parameters collected. </br>

This dataset list landform characteristics (i.e. visible features of a land area) observed in Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> Landform observations are recorded at each site as part of the AusPlots Plots and Physical Descriptions method. Observations on the landform elements and their patterns are recorded as part of this protocol.<br />

The dataset contains information from the first initial trial of the AusPlots Fauna Protocol conducted at Calperum Station, Renmark, South Australia. Selected proposed methodologies and fauna survey techniques were trialled for logistical purposes. After the field trials, the proposed methodologies and techniques were refined. The dataset contains species information on fauna species captures, observations, and specimen collections from the April-May 2015 field trials. The data can be used to review the outcomes of the survey methodologies, presence data of the species recorded, morphological details of the animals recorded, and relate field data to the whole specimen and tissue specimens collected. The Enhancing Long-term Surveillance Monitoring Across Australia Programme will enhance the breadth and depth of Australia's terrestrial ecosystem condition monitoring and reporting at national and regional scales through building on the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) AusPlots Facility. Specifically, this will be achieved by increasing the range and type of AusPlots field sites and monitoring, and through providing guidelines, protocols manuals or standards that will enhance environmental data quality.

<br>This dataset lists the occurrence of fungi and their abundance identified at rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> <br>Fungi occurrences (i.e. a sample of a fungi at a particular point and time) are methodically identified at each site as part of the AusPlots Point intercept method. Fungi occurrences data can be aggregated across the site to calculate relative abundance, fungi ground cover.<br />

This dataset lists land surface characteristics observed in Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Ecosystem Surveillance team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> Land surface observations are collected at each site as part of the AusPlots method. At each site, observations on ground cover, lithology, erosion (state, extent, and human accelerated), surface drainage, microrelief, aspect and angle are recorded as part of the Ausplots Ground cover and Plot description methods.<br />

<p>Images are taken at sites across Australia by the TERN Ecosystem Surveillance team, using standardized AusPlots methodologies.<p /> <p> High-quality digital images are captured using a digital SLR camera at each rangeland vegetation plot. Three photopoints are established configured in an equilateral triangle (2.5&nbsp;m sides) with the center marked with a star dropper at the center of the plot, and the three photopoints recorded with GNSS/DGPS. At each photopoint a 360° panorama photographic sequence is taken, with up to 40 photographs with a minimum 50% overlap between consecutive photographs. The panoramic photopoint method may be most informative in open forests/woodlands and rangelands. <p /> <p>See AusPlots Rangelands Photo-panoramas for more information on this method.<p />

<br>This dataset lists the plant communities from Rangeland sites across Australia described by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> <br> For each plant community, species richness, relative species abundance, vegetation condition as well as the spatial extent of the community, are described using AusPlots Point intercept, Species richness, Relative species abundance, and Plot and Physical Descriptions methods. Plant species are identified at every site as part of the AusPlots Vegetation vouchering method. The specimen data is updated with the identification date and authority details when species identification is confirmed by the Herbaria.<br />

This dataset lists land surface substrate characteristics observed in Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> Land surface substrate observations are collected at each site as part of the AusPlots Point intercept method. At each site, observations on the substrate type (e.g. rock, coarse woody debris, litter) are recorded on transect laid out on the plots. These records form the basis for ground cover derivation, see the AusPlots Ground cover and Point intercept methods below.<br />