Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network: Vegetation Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia, 2012-2016

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Abstract: The Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network Vegetation Survey Data contains transect, plot- and subplot-based vegetation data collected from 175 sites spread across the montane ash forests of the Central Highlands in Victoria, Australia between 2012 and 2016. This is part of a much larger dataset that began in 1983, when the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network research plots commenced. Vegetation related data is collected annually from 105 of 175 sites (mainly sites burnt in 2009) and every 2 to 3 years from the remaining 70 sites (unburnt sites). Vegetation species are recorded along transects. A Height versus Diameter matrix is used to record all woody plants and tree ferns over 2m in height within the three 10 x 10 m plots situated along the transect. A basal sweep is done in the middle of each 10 x 10 m plot. Basal Area Factor 1m squared is used with the number of Acacia species recorded, as well as whether the tree is alive or dead. Seedling plots (1mx1m) are located in the middle of each of the three 10mx10m plots and all living plant species which are less than 5 m in height with their bases rooted within the 1 x 1 m plots are recorded by height increments in the table. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network’s full program is provided at http;//doi.org/10.25911/5c3c278c59da2 Sampling method: Each long term monitoring site is 3 hectares. Vegetation data is collected annually, but not all plots are surveyed every year. The majority subset (60% - and the same subset each year) are surveyed annually, the remainder are surveyed every 2-3 years. The annual survey sites are those that were burnt in 2009, plus a few extras. The less frequently surveyed sites are the long unburnt/green sites that have less annual change. Vegetation data is collected annually, but not all plots are surveyed every year. The majority subset (60% - and the same subset each year) are surveyed annually, the remainder are surveyed every 2-3 years. The annual survey sites are those that were burnt in 2009, plus a few extras. The less frequently surveyed sites are the long unburnt/green sites that have less annual change. Study extent: Each monitoring site is 3 hectares, with monitoring occurring only on the central hectare which is usually square, measuring 100m x 100m or occasionally sites measuring 200m x 50m where they interface gullies. Please refer to "Geographic Coverage", "Taxonomic Coverage and Classification", and "Temporal Coverage" for further details. Project funding: Between 2012 and 2018 this project was part of the Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN). This work was supported by the Australian Government’s Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network (www.tern.org.au) – an Australian research infrastructure facility established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and Education Infrastructure Fund–Super Science Initiative through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Other funding agencies supporting this research project for various periods include: Parks Victoria (2004-2019); Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2004-2005); Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2006-2011); Thomas Foundation (2009); Australian Research Council Discovery Program DP1097170 (2010-2015); National Environmental Research Program, Environmental Decisions Hub (2011-2014); Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (2014-2018); Graeme Wood Foundation (2015-2017); and National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub (2015-2020)

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