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 />

This dataset lists vegetation strata and the three most dominant species in each stratum identified at rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> Vegetation strata are methodically identified at each site as part of the AusPlots Structural summary and homogeneity method. The information provided includes the type of strata found and the three most dominant species on each stratum.<br />

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.

<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>

This dataset lists soil profile observations described in Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br> Soil profile samples are observed and collected at each site as part of the AusPlots Soil and Landscapes methods. For each soil profile sampled, soil horizon's colour, electrical conductivity, effervescence, ped characteristics, pH, texture and coarse fragments characteristics are described as part of the Ausplots Soil characterisation to 1&nbsp;m+ method. Soil specimens for the soil horizons are also collected for preservation (see AusPlots Soil characterisation and Soil samples method below).<br>

<br>This dataset lists plant species and their abundance identified at rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. <br /> <br>Plant occurrences (i.e. a sample of a plant at a particular point and time) are methodically identified at each site as part of the AusPlots Point intercept method. Plant species are identified at each site as part of the AusPlots Vegetation vouchering and Basal Area methods. In addition to site visit date and location, the information provided includes growth form, vegetative height and whether the plant is dead. In-canopy-sky is also recorded if there is no intercept to foliage or branches when viewing the canopy through the densitometer and can be used to calculate species cover or aerial cover. Other recorded information includes dead plants basal area and the number of sampling points. Species identification is updated once confirmed by Herbaria. Plant occurrences data can be aggregated across the site to calculate relative species abundance, green ground cover, species- growth form- and -community-level basal area.<br /> <br>In addition, at least one specimen is taken from each species at the site, assigned a barcode and provided for vouchering and further analyses. See AusPlots Rangelands Vocabularies for a list of parameters collected. </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 />

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 />