This data package is a derivative comprising of a subset of data from four existing data packages: • Weather Data (daily and monthly), Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1995–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.48/html) • Vegetation Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1990–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.44/html) • Mammal Abundance Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1990–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.37/html) • Reptile Abundance Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1990–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.42/html) These data are used to produce the graphs found in figure 10.25 on pages 411–412 in Lindenmayer et. al 2014, Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring Challenges and Direction. They have been combined to illustrate the vegetation and vertebrate response to weather patterns, and the interaction between predator and prey during these cycles. The data includes: • monthly rainfall data for automatic weather stations situated at 13 sites separated by distances of between 5 and 80 km. • percentage ground cover of spinifex (Triodia basedowii) • mammal abundance data for two species of rodent (Spinifex Hopping-mouse & Sandy Inland Mouse) who feed on spinifex seed • mammal abundance data for the Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart (an insectivore) • mammal abundance data for the Brush-tailed Mulgara, a predator who feeds on the Spinifex Hopping-mouse & Sandy Inland Mouse • reptile abundance data for the Military Dragon • reptile abundance data for the Central Netted Dragon 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. Weather data is collected from automatic weather stations situated at 13 sites separated by distances of between 5 and 80 km. Capture data for a specified duration of trapping nights (usually 3 night session) in the Simpson Desert, Western Queensland. Captured mammal and reptile fauna were identified and recaptures during the same session were removed (i.e. individuals were only counted once). Date, site and grid number were recorded for all captures, and captured animals were also marked by a unique ear notch prior to their release to identify recaptures. The network program uses a core of 12 sites which are sampled every April-May. 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's full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/desert-ecology.

This data set contains information on the Lizard Assemblages in Karawatha Peri-Urban site, South East Queensland. Site details, sampling methods and total number of individual animals is listed for each plot location.

FosSahul is the first database compiling the ages of nonhuman vertebrate fossils from the Middle Pleistocene to the present in the Sahul region. It includes comprehensive metadata with ratings of reliability allocated to each fossil age. Because ecological and evolutionary phenomena are time-dependent, the entire range of archaeological and palaeontological research disciplines benefit from the availability of this data.

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.