This dataset contains LiDAR data collected at TERN’s Calperum Mallee SuperSite during a field trial of an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), undertaken to evaluate the use of drone-based LiDAR for the TERN Drone project across current and future TERN sites (AusPlots, SuperSites, and Cal/Val sites). Standardised TERN Ecosystem Surveillance Drone Data Collection and Data Processing protocols are used to collect drone imagery and to generate orthomosaics. The aim of drone surveys is to capture the vegetation structure. The standardised data collection and data processing protocols developed in 2022 are based on the DJI Matrice 300 (M300) RTK drone platform. Lidar sensor DJI Zenmuse L1 is used with DJI Matrice 300 (M300) RTK platform to capture RGB colourised 3D point clouds. The data is georeferenced using the onboard GNSS in M300 and the D-RTK 2 base station. DJI Terra software was used to generate 3D point clouds from the raw lidar data. The protocols include flight planning and data collection guidelines for a 100 x 100 m TERN plot, and the processing workflow used on DJI Terra. Mission-specific metadata for each plot is provided in the imagery/metadata folder (please refer to the imagery collection). The Drone Data Collection and Lidar Processing protocols can be found at <em> https://www.tern.org.au/field-survey-apps-and-protocols/ </em>.

This dataset contains RGB and multispectral imagery collected at TERN’s Calperum Mallee SuperSite during a field trial of an Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS), conducted to assess the use of drone-based imagery for the TERN Drone project across existing and future TERN sites (AusPlots, SuperSites, and Cal/Val sites). Standardised TERN Ecosystem Surveillance Drone Data Collection and Data Processing protocols are used to collect drone imagery and to generate orthomosaics. The protocols developed in 2022 are based on the DJI Matrice 300 (M300) RTK drone platform. DJI Zenmuse P1 and MicaSense RedEdge-MX/Dual sensors are used with M300 to capture RGB and multispectral imagery simultaneously. The data is georeferenced using the DJI D-RTK2 base station and onboard GNSS RTK. In the processing workflow, the multispectral image positions (captured with navigation-grade accuracy) are interpolated using image timestamp and RGB image coordinates. Dense point clouds and the fine-resolution RGB smoothed surface were used to generate co-registered RGB (1 cm/pixel) and multispectral (5 cm/pixel) orthomosaics. Mission-specific metadata for each plot is provided in the imagery/metadata folder. The Drone Data Collection and RGB and Multispectral Imagery Processing protocols can be found at <em> https://www.tern.org.au/field-survey-apps-and-protocols/ </em>.

Dronescape Dataset Description <br></br> Dronescape is a research infrastructure initiative within TERN that integrates uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing techniques into Australia's terrestrial ecosystem monitoring framework. The project addresses critical spatio-temporal gaps between field-based measurements and satellite observations by deploying UAV systems carrying RGB, 10-band multispectral, and LiDAR sensors across TERN's surveillance monitoring plot network. Through standardized protocols and automated processing workflows, Dronescape generates analysis-ready products including orthomosaics, reflectance maps, vegetation indices, and 3D point clouds.<br></br> As of 2025, the project has surveyed over 120 plots across multiple bioregions, with ongoing expansion to additional monitoring sites. Each plot covers approximately 90,000 m², contributing to a continuously growing dataset that enables long-term monitoring of Australia's diverse vegetation communities.<br></br> Project Scope <br></br> <ul><li>Coverage: More than 120 plots across multiple bioregions (ongoing expansion) </li> <li>Plot Size: Approximately 90,000 m² per monitoring site </li> <li>Temporal Scale: 2–10 year monitoring cycles </li> <li>Data Types: RGB, 10-band multispectral, and LiDAR</li></ul>