AusPlots Facility

Presentation by Prof. Andy Lowe

Purpose of AusPlotsNational network of surveillance and ecosystem baseline assessment sites

Develop common, rapid method (ecosystem specific), integrated with state/territory monitoring of ecosystems (Rangelands and Forests), to establish broad coverage, low intensity ecosystem description and surveillance network for Australia to assist ecosystem condition reporting and trajectory monitoring

First phase - rangelands (81% of the continent); Second phase – mesic forests

Collect consistent biodiversity data and integrate with current knowledge

AusPlots - Key QuestionsAusPlots will undertake surveillance surveys to collect baseline ecological data for use by the broader ecological and management community to:

• increase the understanding of the dynamics of plant species and soils;

• progress knowledge on distribution, abundance and threats to ecosystems;

• increase the knowledge of carbon and nutrient budgets of soils and vegetation;

• input into DNA barcoding of Australian vegetation and soil communities;

• determine the genetic and phylogenetic diversity and biogeography of continent

• assist in the field validation of remote sensing products;

• assist state and federal agencies to meet monitoring and reporting obligations;

• create a photographic reference of key Australian bioregions, enhance existing State photo reference libraries.

Stage 1. Determining Bioregional groupings using hierarchical clustering techniques

Based on: •Climate•Regolith/Landform•Major Vegetation •Groups

Stage 2. Decisions on which bioregions to sample

In consultation with state and territory agencies

Based on: •Scientific Information•Logistical Information•Political Information•Historical information

Stage 3. GIS analysis within each bioregion

Based on the best available spatial information on:•Scientific information• Vegetation Mapping or Land Units

•Logistical information• e.g. Distance from tracks

•Political information• e.g. State monitoring priorities

•Historical Information• e.g. Previous monitoring sites

Stage 4. Field Location

Based on: •Homogenaity•Orientation•Representativeness•Suitability

Infrastructure – Continental stratificationA continental stratification process to group bioregions to establish biodiversity monitoring plots

Infrastructure – plot method

1,000 (approx) permanent biodiversity survey plots established throughout the Australian rangelands (NSW, NT, Qld, SA, WA)

Combine traditional and cutting edge techniques – modular– baseline surveys of vegetation and soil diversity and structure– collect leaf and soil samples for analysis

• Taxonomy, carbon, nutrients, isotopes, • DNA barcoding, phylgoeography, genomics

– Photo points, image interpretation and remote sensing integration

Method to be developed for forestry plots

Plan for community engagement

Current– Reference Groups– Wide consultation of Discussion paper (ESA)– Jurisdictional involvement in plot selection – Presentations– Fliers

Future– Jurisdictions to undertake initial assessment–Newsletter– Presence on TERN website

Acknowledgements

Partners/collaborators- Australian Collaborative Rangelands Information System (ACRIS)- Bush Blitz- National Forest Inventory (NFI) – DAFF- Atlas for Living Australia/Gaia Resources- Australian Centre for Visual Technologies (ACVT)- International Barcode of Life (IBOL)/Australian Biological Resources Study- AusCover and soils facilities (TERN)

Facility Contact Details

AusPlots Coordinator - Jeff Foulkes, Adelaide University AusPlots-Rangelands Coordinator - Andrew White, Adelaide University AusPlots-Forests Coordinators – David Bowman, University of Tasmania

– Claire Howell, DAFF

AusPlots-Rangelands Surveys Manager - Ben Sparrow, Adelaide University

MultiScale Plot Director - Prof. Andy Lowe, Adelaide UniversityLAMPS Coordinator - Jim Deed, Adelaide University