These data comprise two sets of average hourly temperature data, each for a subset of the 481 long term monitoring plots which have been established in Australian Alps during the 2011–12 season. This is part of a dataset that spans from during data collected in 2011 to document long-term effects directly through climate and indirectly through biotic interactions. The Victorian Alpine Plot Network research plots are revisited 4 times per year. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Alpine Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/victorian-alpine

These data comprise two sets of average hourly temperature data, each for a subset of the 481 long term monitoring plots which have been established in Australian Alps during the 2011–12 season. This is part of a dataset that spans from during data collected in 2011 to document long-term effects directly through climate and indirectly through biotic interactions. The Victorian Alpine Plot Network research plots are revisited 4 times per year. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Alpine Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/victorian-alpine

The Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network Hydrological Climate data are monitored at automatic weather stations established by the University of NSW in 2013 within the study area. In addition, three soil probes placed along local soil moisture gradients in the vicinity of each station record soil moisture, conductivity and temperature at various depths below the surface at 30-minute intervals, which are averaged to produce daily mean estimates. The Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network research plots commenced in 1983 and have been revisited in 2004, 2009 and again in 2014. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/upland-heath-swamps.

The Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network Hydrological Climate data are monitored at automatic weather stations established by the University of NSW in 2013 within the study area. In addition, three soil probes placed along local soil moisture gradients in the vicinity of each station record soil moisture, conductivity and temperature at various depths below the surface at 30-minute intervals, which are averaged to produce daily mean estimates. The Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network research plots commenced in 1983 and have been revisited in 2004, 2009 and again in 2014. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/upland-heath-swamps.

The Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network Hydrological Climate data are monitored at automatic weather stations established by the University of NSW in 2013 within the study area. In addition, three soil probes placed along local soil moisture gradients in the vicinity of each station record soil moisture, conductivity and temperature at various depths below the surface at 30-minute intervals, which are averaged to produce daily mean estimates. The Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network research plots commenced in 1983 and have been revisited in 2004, 2009 and again in 2014. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Upland Heath Swamps Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/upland-heath-swamps.

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.

Data on weather conditions at the Robson Creek Rainforest site collected between 2010 - 2014. Weather station data includes daily records of air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, relative humidity and rainfall.

Data on weather conditions at the Daintree Rainforest, Cow Bay site collected between 2008 - 2014. Weather station data includes daily records of air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, relative humidity and rainfall.

Data on weather conditions at the Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation site collected between 2006 - 2014. Weather station data includes daily records of air temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, relative humidity and rainfall.