Summary of Sites on Idalia National Park

Summary of Sites on

Idalia National Park

April 2013

Acknowledgments

Ausplots Rangelands gratefully acknowledges the Staff at Idalia and the Queensland Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing for their help and support during the project and for allowing access to the property. Thanks to the staff from the Queenslands Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, in particular, Selwyn Counter for their help and support. Thanks also to the many other volunteers who have helped with data curation and sample processing. Thanks also to the staff from the QLD Herabrium for undertaking the plant indentications.

Contents

Introduction...... 1 Accessing the Data ...... 3 Point intercept data ...... 3 Plant collections ...... 3 Leaf tissue samples...... 3 Site description information ...... 3 Structural summary ...... 3 Leaf Area Index ...... 3 Basal area ...... 3 Soil classification ...... 4 Soil meta barcoding samples ...... 4 Soil bulk density ...... 4 3D Photo Panorama ...... 4 Potential Uses for AusPlots Data from Idalia National Park...... 5 For more information ...... 5 Appendices ...... 6

Appendix 1. Summary of AusPlots data and samples from Idalia National Park ...... 6 Appendix 2. Plot locations ...... 7 Appendix 3. Point intercept data ...... 8 Appendix 4. Substrate and Growth Form ...... 9 Appendix 5. Structural summary ...... 10 Appendix 6. Soil Classification ...... 11 Appendix 7. Bulk density ...... 12 Appendix 8. Plant collection ...... 13

Introduction In April 2013, AusPlots, part of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network (TERN), undertook surveys Idalia National Park, Queensland. The surveys involved vegetation and soils work following the AusPlots Rangelands methodology, with 4 plots completed. The plots are part of over 580 plots completed nationally. Figure 1 shows the national AusPlots plot network, and Figure 2 shows the locations of the plots Idalia National Park.

This report provides a snapshot of some of the data which was collected during the survey work. A more detailed description of the methods used can be found online in our AusPlots Rangelands Survey Protocols Manual (White et al. 2012), available from our website www.ausplots.org.

Figure 1. AusPlots plot network LandSat Image used courtesy of the Commonwealth Department of the Environment

Figure 2. AusPlots Rangelands plot locations Idalia National Park Topographic data copyright Geoscience Australia

Accessing the Data All of the data the AusPlots collects is freely available online through the AEKOS data portal at www.aekos.org.au. It can also be viewed on the Soils to Satellites website which contains a range of useful visualisations sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia. At http://www.soils2satellites.org.au/.

Point intercept data The point intercept method is a straightforward method that is readily repeatable and requires little instruction to produce reliable plot information. It provides accurate benchmark data at each plot including substrate type and cover; as well as species structural information such as growth form, height, cover and abundance and population vertical structure. The demographic information produced at each plot can be compared spatially to indicate plot diﬀerences, and temporally to indicate change over time. Additionally, the cover data collected at each plot can be used to validate cover data extrapolated through remote sensing techniques.

Plant collections Each species that is found within the plot has a herbarium grade sample taken. These have all been formally identified by the QLD herbarium. Much of the material is then lodged at the QLD herbarium or at the Ausplots facility in Adelaide.

Leaf tissue samples All of the above samples also have leaf tissue samples taken. This involves placing leaf samples from each species into a cloth bag and drying them on silica desiccant. All of the dominant species have an extra 4 samples collected. These samples are available for use on application to Ausplots facility in Adelaide. They are able to be used for genetic analysis, Isotopic composition and range of other uses.

Site description information Contextual information is also collected at each site. This includes measures of slope an aspect, surface strew and lithology, and information on the grazing and fire history of the site. The sites location is also recorded with a differential GPS and the plot corners and centres (with landholder permission) marked with a star picket.

Structural summary Detailed structural summary information is also collected at each site. When combined with the height and cover information from the point intercept data it enables the creation of structural description compatible with and NVIS level 5 description.

Leaf Area Index In plots where a mid and/or upper canopy is present a measure of Leaf Area is recorded. The tool used is an LAI- 2200 and it captures LAI measurements in a range of canopies using one or two sensors attached to a single data logger (LI-COR 1990). The LAI data has a range of potential application such as studies of canopy growth, canopy productivity, woodland vigour, canopy fuel load, air pollution deposition, modelling insect defoliation, remote sensing, and the global carbon cycle.

Basal area Basal area measurements are collected across plots where woody biomass is taller than 2m. Basal area measurements provide information useful for calculating biomass and carbon levels and for structural studies. The wedge aperture, the length of string – 50 cm (and hence the distance from the eye and subsequent angle from the eye to the edges of the wedge aperture) and species count are all important in calculations. Algorithms developed for use with the basal wedge include the above data to calculate plant basal area on a per hectare basis even though

3 species are counted outside the one hectare plot area. The method is plotless but used because it is based on the concept of circles (trunks/basal area) within circles (circular plots) – the area of one varies proportionally to the change in the area of the other. Use of the basal wedge may be superseded by further improvement of the 3D photo point method and development of algorithms to provide information on vegetation community structure.

Soil classification Soils descriptions i.e. information recorded, number of recordings and coverage of locations, are generally poor across the rangelands region of Australia. The plot descriptions and soil characterisations collected will substantially alleviate this paucity of information. The data collected can also be used to increase the reliability of the rangelands component of the Soil and Landscape Grid of Australia, produced by the TERN facility consistent with the Global Soil Map specifications. Analyses of the collected samples will greatly enhance the level of knowledge (e.g. nutrient and carbon levels) and hence understanding of rangelands soils and how they will respond to climate change and management options. It is hoped to eventually be able to analyse all 9 of the soil pits from within the plot using a number of different methods e.g. wet chemistry, MIR or NIR (mid infrared spectrometry or near infrared spectroscopy) either individually to provide a measure of variation of the parameter being measured across a plot or bulked together and a sub-sample extracted and analysed to provide a mean value for that parameter across a plot.

Soil meta barcoding samples Metagenomics is the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples. Soil metagenomics provides the opportunity to understand what organisms are present at survey plots and provides an indication on their abundance. The collection techniques result in a bias towards higher order organisms. All of the Ausplots Idalia National Park have soil meta barcoding samples collected.

Soil bulk density The soil bulk density (BD), also known as dry bulk density, is the weight of dry soil divided by the total soil volume. The total soil volume is the combined volume of solids and pores which may contain air or water, or both. The average values of air, water and solid in soil are easily measured and are a useful indication of a soils physical condition. Soil test results are most often presented either as a percentage of soil (e.g. % organic carbon) or as a weight per unit of soil (e.g. nitrogen, mg/kg). As bulk density is a measure of soil weight in a given volume, it provides a useful conversion from these units to an area basis unit (e.g. t/ha). The resulting number gives an easily understandable idea of the carbon storage or nutritional status of the soil on an area basis.

3D Photo Panorama AusPlots uses a three-dimensional method for photographing the site. This involves taking three 360 degree panoramas in a triangular pattern. This allows the creation of a 3D model of the vegetation within the site which can be used to monitor change over time, track plot condition as well as providing a unique, fast measurement of basal area and biomass.

4 Potential Uses for AusPlots Data from Idalia National Park The AusPlots survey method was developed out of a dire need for consistent, national scale ecological data and surveillance monitoring. As such, the data can be used in a range of ways both Idalia National Park but also to allow comparisons across the continent. Currently, a range of researchers and land managers make use of the data and samples. Some example applications that may be applicable within the region are listed below.

• Assessing vegetation change using the AusPlots methodology as both a baseline and a continued surveillance monitoring tool. • Detecting the impact of invasive species based on soil and vegetation data. • Ground-truthing satellite derived vegetation and soil data • Soil carbon analysis using the soil bulk density samples • Mapping soil phosphorus, nitrogen and other nutrients using soil pit and subsite samples • Assessing fuel loading using the basal area and leaf area data. • Use of the leaf tissue samples for genetic and isotopic analysis. For more information More information on the AusPlots facility can be found on our website www.AusPlots.org

For more information regarding the survey work Idalia National Park and assistance downloading and utilising the data from AEKOS and Soils2Satellites contact Emrys Leitch, AusPlots Field Survey Officer, [email protected]

For more information regarding the AusPlots facility, contact Ben Sparrow, AusPlots Director, [email protected]

5 Appendices

Appendix 1. Summary of AusPlots data and samples from Idalia National Park

AusPlots Data and Samples Count Total Collections 110 Total Leaf Tissue Samples 208 Total number of soil samples 96 Total weight of soil (kg) 96 Number of sites with Bulk Density data 3 Number of Sites with LAI 4 Number of Sites with Basal wedge 4 Total metagenomic samples 36 Total metagenomic weight (kg) 18

6 Appendix 2. Plot locations

Plot Name Date Location latitude longitude QDAMGD0012 26-Apr-13 Idalia National Park 10km north east of ranger station -24.82182222 144.8236083 QDAMUL0001 26-Apr-13 Idalia National Park. 15 km North of Ranger Station. -24.73364722 144.6834389 QDAMUL0002 27-Apr-13 Idalia National Park. 15 km North of Ranger Station. -24.73814 144.701581 QDAMUL0003 26-Apr-13 Idalia National Park. 61km SE of Issiford. -24.75512222 144.7083222

7 Appendix 3. Point intercept data

Plot name Herbarium ID Common name Approx. % cover

QDAMGD0012 Eremophila mitchellii Bastard Sandalwood 7.43

QDAMGD0012 Senna artemisioides subsp. alicia 2.67

QDAMGD0012 Acacia tephrina Boree 2.48

QDAMGD0012 Senna phyllodinea 1.98

QDAMGD0012 Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla 1.58

QDAMUL0001 Acacia aneura var. major 41.09

QDAMUL0001 Eucalyptus melanophloia - E. whitei intergrade 7.52

QDAMUL0001 Eucalyptus populnea Bimbil 6.44

QDAMUL0002 Acacia shirleyi Lancewood 46.24

QDAMUL0003 Acacia aneura var. major 47.13

QDAMUL0003 Thyridolepis xerophila 3.07

QDAMUL0003 Eucalyptus crebra x E. melanophloia 2.67

QDAMUL0003 Hibiscus sturtii Hill Hibiscus 2.48

8 Appendix 4. Substrate and Growth Form

Plot Name Substrate Approx % substrate Plot Name Growth Form Approx % of Growth Forms

QDAMGD0012 Bare ground 46.83 QDAMGD0012 Shrub 66.53

QDAMGD0012 Leaf litter 42.18 QDAMGD0012 Tree/Palm 19.42

QDAMGD0012 Gravel 8.71 QDAMGD0012 Chenopod 6.61 Coarse woody QDAMGD0012 debris 1.78 QDAMGD0012 Forb 6.61

QDAMGD0012 Rock 0.5 QDAMGD0012 Epiphyte 0.83 Plot Name Substrate Approx % substrate Plot Name Growth Form Approx % of Growth Forms

QDAMUL0001 Leaf litter 80.5 QDAMUL0001 Tree/Palm 72.52

QDAMUL0001 Bare ground 8.81 QDAMUL0001 Shrub 24.6 Coarse woody QDAMUL0001 debris 5.35 QDAMUL0001 Tree Mallee 1.58

QDAMUL0001 Cryptogam 4.95 QDAMUL0001 Tussock grass 1.29

QDAMUL0001 Gravel 0.2 Plot Name Substrate Approx % substrate Plot Name Growth Form Approx % of Growth Forms

QDAMUL0002 Leaf litter 64.85 QDAMUL0002 Tree/Palm 100

QDAMUL0002 Bare ground 25.94 Coarse woody QDAMUL0002 debris 9.01

QDAMUL0002 Gravel 0.2 Plot Name Substrate Approx % substrate Plot Name Growth Form Approx % of Growth Forms

QDAMUL0003 Leaf litter 73.51 QDAMUL0003 Tree/Palm 78.74

QDAMUL0003 Bare ground 12.33 QDAMUL0003 Shrub 10.7 Coarse woody QDAMUL0003 debris 6.62 QDAMUL0003 Tussock grass 6.74

QDAMUL0003 Cryptogam 5.43 QDAMUL0003 Forb 3.67

QDAMUL0003 Rock 1.2 QDAMUL0003 Fern 0.15

QDAMUL0003 Gravel 0.64

QDAMUL0003 Outcrop 0.28

9 Appendix 5. Structural summary

Plot name Structural description Acacia tephrina low open woodland with scattered Acacia harpophylla with shrub stratum of Eremophila mitchellii with Senna artemisioides subsp. alicia and a sparse ground stratum of Sida spp., chenopods and QDAMGD0012 Cenchrus ciliaris on plain.

Acacia aneura var. major wood low open forest with emergent Eucalyptus populnea and Eucalyptus QDAMUL0001 melanophloia - E. whitei intergrade. Mid stratum of juvenile Acacia aneura var. major. Minimal ground stratum

QDAMUL0002 Acacia shirleyi low open forest with bare ground and no understratum. Acacia aneura var. major low open forest with emergent Eucalyptus crebra x E. melanophloia. Mid stratum of juvenile Acacia aneura var. major. Sparse ground stratum dominated by Thyridolepis xerophila with Hibiscus QDAMUL0003 sturtii

10 Appendix 6. Soil Classification

Colour Lower Plot name Upper depth Horizon Texture when ph EC effervescence depth wet

QDAMGD0012 0 0.25 Sandy loam 10YR34 6.6 0.17 Non-calcareous

QDAMGD0012 0.25 0.65 Light medium clay 10YR33 6.3 0.71 Slightly calcareous

QDAMGD0012 0.65 0.9 Light clay 10YR44 6.1 2.5 Moderately calcareous

QDAMGD0012 0.9 1 Sandy clay loam 10YR44 6.5 1.77 Moderately calcareous

QDAMUL0001 0 0.1 NC Not Collected 4.8 0.03 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0001 0.1 0.2 NC Not Collected 5.2 0.03 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0001 0.2 0.3 NC Not Collected 6.3 0.07 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0001 0.3 0.4 NC Not Collected 6.5 0.02 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0001 0.4 0.5 NC Not Collected 6.8 0.03 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0002 0 0.02 Clayey sand 5YR44 5.2 0.12 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0002 0.02 0.85 Sandy loam 2.5YR46 5.3 0.07 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0003 0 0.1 NC Not Collected 5.18 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0003 0.1 0.2 NC Not Collected 5.3 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0003 0.2 0.3 NC Not Collected 5.1 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0003 0.3 0.4 NC Not Collected 5.1 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0003 0.4 0.5 NC Not Collected 5.1 Non-calcareous

QDAMUL0003 0.5 0.6 NC Not Collected 5 Non-calcareous

11 Appendix 7. Bulk density

Plot name Sample depth Fine earth weight Fine earth bulk density

QDAMUL0001 0.00 - 0.10 337.11 1.61

QDAMUL0001 0.10 - 0.20 353.08 1.69

QDAMUL0001 0.20 - 0.30 350.91 1.68

QDAMUL0002 0.00 - 0.10 325.94 1.56

QDAMUL0002 0.10 - 0.20 316.57 1.51

QDAMUL0002 0.20 - 0.30 329.49 1.57

QDAMUL0003 0.00 - 0.10 355.91 1.7

QDAMUL0003 0.10 - 0.20 337.59 1.61

QDAMUL0003 0.20 - 0.30 341.33 1.63

Appendix 8. Plant collection * Denotes introduced species

Plot name Family Herabarium determination Common Name

QDAMGD0012 Malvaceae Abutilon fraseri subsp. fraseri

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Acacia cambagei Gidga

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Acacia harpophylla Brigalow

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Acacia sp. Acacia

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Acacia tephrina Boree

QDAMGD0012 Sapindaceae Alectryon oleifolius Bullock Bush

QDAMGD0012 Capparaceae Apophyllum anomalum Broom Brush

QDAMGD0012 Sapindaceae Atalaya hemiglauca Cattle Bush

QDAMGD0012 Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia sp. St George (A.Hill AQ399299)

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae *Cenchrus ciliaris A Buffel Grass

QDAMGD0012 Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium desertorum Desert Goosefoot

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Chloris divaricata Slender Chloris

QDAMGD0012 Cleomaceae Cleome viscosa Mustard Bush

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Dactyloctenium radulans Button Grass

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Dinebra decipiens subsp. decipiens

QDAMGD0012 Acanthaceae Dipteracanthus australasicus subsp. australasicus

QDAMGD0012 Chenopodiaceae Enchylaena tomentosa Barrier Saltbush

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Enneapogon lindleyanus Conetop Nineawn

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Enneapogon sp.

QDAMGD0012 Scrophulariaceae Eremophila mitchellii Bastard Sandalwood

QDAMGD0012 Rutaceae Flindersia maculosa Leopardwood

QDAMGD0012 Rutaceae Geijera parviflora Wilga

QDAMGD0012 Loranthaceae Lysiana linearifolia Narrow-leaf Mistletoe

QDAMGD0012 Lysiphyllum carronii

QDAMGD0012 Malvastrum americanum var. stellatum

QDAMGD0012 Lamiaceae Ocimum tenuiflorum Holy Basil

QDAMGD0012 Cactaceae *Opuntia stricta Common Prickly Pear

QDAMGD0012 Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus maderaspatensis Phyllanthus Maderaspatensis

QDAMGD0012 Portulacaceae Portulaca filifolia Slender Pigweed

QDAMGD0012 Portulacaceae Portulaca oleracea Pig Weed

QDAMGD0012 Asteraceae Pterocaulon sphacelatum Applebush

QDAMGD0012 Amaranthaceae Ptilotus nobilis subsp. nobilis

QDAMGD0012 Amaranthaceae Ptilotus obovatus Cotton Bush

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Rhynchosia minima var. minima

QDAMGD0012 Chenopodiaceae Salsola australis

QDAMGD0012 Santalaceae Santalum lanceolatum Blue Bush

Plot name Family Herabarium determination Common Name

QDAMGD0012 Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena calcarata Copper Burr

QDAMGD0012 Chenopodiaceae Sclerolaena sp.

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. alicia

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. zygophylla

QDAMGD0012 Fabaceae Senna phyllodinea

QDAMGD0012 Malvaceae Sida fibulifera Pin Sida

QDAMGD0012 Malvaceae Sida trichopoda High Sida

QDAMGD0012 Solanaceae Solanum esuriale Potato Bush

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Sporobolus actinocladus Fairy Grass

QDAMGD0012 Poaceae Sporobolus caroli Fairy Grass

QDAMGD0012 Lamiaceae Teucrium integrifolium Teuchry Weed

QDAMGD0012 Rhamnaceae Ventilago viminalis Barndaragu

QDAMGD0012 Asteraceae Verbesina encelioides Crownbeard

QDAMUL0001 Fabaceae Acacia aneura var. major

QDAMUL0001 Rhamnaceae Alphitonia excelsa Coopers Wood

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Aristida obscura Rough-seed Wire-grass

QDAMUL0001 Agaricaceae Calvatia sp.

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae *Cenchrus ciliaris A Buffel Grass

QDAMUL0001 Pteridaceae Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi

QDAMUL0001 Apocynaceae Cynanchum viminale

QDAMUL0001 Hemerocallidaceae Dianella sp.

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Digitaria brownii Cotton Grass

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Digitaria diminuta

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Digitaria hystrichoides An Umbrella Grass

QDAMUL0001 Sapindaceae Dodonaea sp.

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Enneapogon lindleyanus Conetop Nineawn

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Eragrostis lacunaria A love grass

QDAMUL0001 Scrophulariaceae Eremophila bowmanii subsp. bowmanii

QDAMUL0001 Scrophulariaceae Eremophila longifolia Berrigan

QDAMUL0001 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus melanophloia X Eucalyptus whitei intergrade

QDAMUL0001 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus populnea Bimbil

QDAMUL0001 Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia tannensis subsp. eremophila

QDAMUL0001 Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides var. decumbens

QDAMUL0001 Malvaceae Hibiscus sturtii Hill Hibiscus

QDAMUL0001 Meliaceae Owenia acidula Emu Apple

QDAMUL0001 Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus sp.

QDAMUL0001 Rubiaceae Psydrax latifolia

QDAMUL0001 Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides

QDAMUL0001 Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. x sturtii

QDAMUL0001 Malvaceae Sida sp. Musselbrook (M.B.Thomas+ MRS437)

Plot name Family Herabarium determination Common Name

QDAMUL0001 Solanaceae Solanum callosum

QDAMUL0001 Solanaceae Solanum ferocissimum

QDAMUL0001 Poaceae Thyridolepis xerophila

QDAMUL0002 Fabaceae Acacia shirleyi Lancewood

QDAMUL0002 Poaceae Eragrostis lacunaria A love grass

QDAMUL0002 Rutaceae Flindersia dissosperma Scrub Leopardwood

QDAMUL0002 Solanaceae Solanum callosum

QDAMUL0003 Fabaceae Acacia aneura var. major

QDAMUL0003 Fabaceae Acacia catenulata Bendee

QDAMUL0003 Acanthaceae Brunoniella australis Blue Trumpet

QDAMUL0003 Pteridaceae Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi

QDAMUL0003 Myrtaceae Corymbia brachycarpa

QDAMUL0003 Poaceae Digitaria brownii Cotton Grass

QDAMUL0003 Poaceae Digitaria diminuta

QDAMUL0003 Sapindaceae Dodonaea sp.

QDAMUL0003 Poaceae Eragrostis lacunaria A love grass

QDAMUL0003 Scrophulariaceae Eremophila bowmanii subsp. bowmanii

QDAMUL0003 Scrophulariaceae Eremophila longifolia Berrigan

QDAMUL0003 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus crebra x Eucalyptus melanophloia

QDAMUL0003 Ganodermataceae Ganoderma sp.

QDAMUL0003 Proteaceae Grevillea striata Beef Oak

QDAMUL0003 Malvaceae Hibiscus sturtii Hill Hibiscus

QDAMUL0003 Polyporaceae Panus fasciatus

QDAMUL0003 Rubiaceae Psydrax latifolia

QDAMUL0003 Polyporaceae Pycnoporus coccineus

QDAMUL0003 Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. x artemisioides

QDAMUL0003 Fabaceae Senna artemisioides subsp. x sturtii

QDAMUL0003 Fabaceae Senna pleurocarpa var. longifolia

QDAMUL0003 Malvaceae Sida aprica var. aprica

QDAMUL0003 Solanaceae Solanum callosum

QDAMUL0003 Solanaceae Solanum pisinnum

QDAMUL0003 Poaceae Thyridolepis xerophila

QDAMUL0003 Poaceae Tripogon loliiformis Five Minute Grass

QDAMUL0003 Poaceae Walwhalleya subxerophila Gilgai Grass