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Ausplots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual Version 1.2.9, 2012 Andrew White, Ben Sparrow, Emrys Leitch, Jeff Foulkes, Rick Flitton, Andrew J

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Ausplots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual Version 1.2.9, 2012 Andrew White, Ben Sparrow, Emrys Leitch, Jeff Foulkes, Rick Flitton, Andrew J AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual Version 1.2.9, 2012 Andrew White, Ben Sparrow, Emrys Leitch, Jeff Foulkes, Rick Flitton, Andrew J. Lowe and Stefan Caddy-Retalic Published in Adelaide by The University of Adelaide Press Barr Smith Library University of Adelaide South Australia 5005 [email protected] www.adelaide.edu.au/press Electronic Index: this book is available as a down-loadable PDF with fully searchable text. You cannot copy or alter the content but you are welcome to print it. © The Authors 2012 This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission. Address all inquiries to the Director at the above address. For Cataloguing-in-Publication data please contact National Library of Australia: [email protected] ISBN 978-1-922064-38-7 (electronic) ISBN 978-1-922064-39-4 (paperback) Book Design: Stefan Caddy-Retalic Figure 1 The Australian Rangelands cover the majority of Australia, encompassing 52 bioregions, totalling 81% of the continent. AusPlots Rangelands Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) Level 12 Schulz Building University of Adelaide North Terrace Campus Adelaide SA 5005 [email protected] www.tern.org.au Publication details The TERN AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual is produced and published by the University of Adelaide. Please do not republish material from this document or its attachements without written consent. The latest version of this manual may be downloaded as an online resource from www.tern.org. 1 Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) Table of Contents Figure 1 The Australian Rangelands ...........................................................................................................................2 Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................................3 Introduction .....................................................................................................................................................................5 Table 1 AusPlots Rangelands plot hierarchy: survey details and collection requirements and resourcing ...............6 Figure 2 AusPlots Rangelands survey process, diagrammatic representation referenced to the Survey Protocols Manual chapters .........................................................................................................................................7 Table 2 Summary of methods, protocols and estimated timing for an average plot ................................................8 1. Plot selection ..............................................................................................................................................................9 Stage 1: Bioregional Stratification ..............................................................................................................................9 Stage 2: Selecting representative bioregions to sample. ...........................................................................................9 Stage 3: Stratifying areas of sampling interest within bioregions. ..........................................................................10 Figure 3 Plot location decision making framework ..................................................................................................11 Stage 4: Choosing plot locations in the field based on areas of interest. ................................................................12 2. Trip planning ............................................................................................................................................................13 3 Plot layout and positioning ......................................................................................................................................15 Plot positioning using the DGPS (provided for use with AusPlots plots) .................................................................16 Start up .....................................................................................................................................................................17 Operation ..................................................................................................................................................................17 Downloading the data (back in the office) ..............................................................................................................20 Alternative should DGPS malfunction. .....................................................................................................................21 4. Photo-panoramas .....................................................................................................................................................22 5. Vegetation vouchering – vascular plants .................................................................................................................26 Figure 4. Plant voucher and DNA/isotope process ..................................................................................................29 6. Genetic and isotope sample vouchering ..................................................................................................................30 7. Point intercept ..........................................................................................................................................................33 Figure 5. When to apply “in-canopy” sky .................................................................................................................36 8. Basal area .................................................................................................................................................................37 AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual 3 9. Structural summary and homogeneity ....................................................................................................................40 Table 3 Stratum types and growth forms allowed within each stratum type .........................................................40 10. Leaf Area Index (LAI) ...............................................................................................................................................41 11. Soils and Landscapes ................................................................................................................................................45 a) Plot description .....................................................................................................................................................46 b) Soil characterisation to 1 m+ ................................................................................................................................48 c) Soil observation ....................................................................................................................................................50 d) Soil bulk density ...................................................................................................................................................51 e) Soil samples ..........................................................................................................................................................56 12. Soil metagenomics ...................................................................................................................................................58 13. Plot and Physical Descriptions .................................................................................................................................59 14. Field data collection App .........................................................................................................................................60 15. Post field trip procedures .........................................................................................................................................62 16. Checklists ..................................................................................................................................................................63 AusPlots ....................................................................................................................................................................63 SLATS plots ................................................................................................................................................................63 Rapid plots ................................................................................................................................................................63 17. Future Additional Components ............................................................................................................................... 64 18. Definitions ................................................................................................................................................................65 References ......................................................................................................................................................................66 Appendix 1: Code conventions for site description protocols .......................................................................................67
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