Summary of Sites on
Boomarra
May 2013
Astrebla ( Mitchell grass) grasslands, Boomarra
Acknowledgments
Ausplots Rangelands gratefully acknowledges the mangers Fred and Carmel Shepherd and the Northern Australian Pastoral Company for allowing access to their property and for their help and support in the project. Thanks also to volunteer Jill Brew who assisted with field work and the many other volunteers who have helped with data curation and sample processing. Many 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 Boomarra ...... 5 For more information ...... 5 Appendices ...... 6
Appendix 1. Summary of AusPlots data and samples from Boomarra ...... 6 Appendix 2. Co-location with existing plots ...... 6 Appendix 3. Plot locations ...... 7 Appendix 4. Point intercept data ...... 8 Appendix 5. Substrate and Growth Form ...... 9 Appendix 6. Structural summary ...... 10 Appendix 7. Soil Classification ...... 11 Appendix 8. Bulk density ...... 11 Appendix 9. Plant collection ...... 12
Introduction In May 2013, AusPlots, part of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network (TERN), undertook surveys Boomarra, Queensland. The surveys involved vegetation and soils work following the AusPlots Rangelands methodology, with 3 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 Boomarra.
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
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Figure 2. AusPlots Rangelands plot locations Boomarra Topographic data copyright Geoscience Australia
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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 Boomarra 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 Boomarra 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 Boomarra 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 Boomarra 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 Boomarra
AusPlots Data and Samples Count Total Collections 136 Total Leaf Tissue Samples 208 Total number of soil samples 72 Total weight of soil (kg) 72 Number of sites with Bulk Density data 1 Number of Sites with LAI 2 Number of Sites with Basal wedge 2 Total metagenomic samples 27 Total metagenomic weight (kg) 14
Appendix 2. Co-location with existing plots AusPlots works on a mix of both new plots (where this is little existing monitoring infrastructure) and co-location with existing plots. 2 of the plots on Boomera, are co-located with existing CSIRO monitoring site. The table below provides the name of the AusPlots site and the corresponding CSIRO monitoring site
AusPlot name QPWS monitoring Site QDAMII0001 Boom 14 QDAGUP0013 Boom 29
6 Appendix 3. Plot locations
Plot Name Date Location latitude longitude Boomarra station 5km south west of homestead. 150km QDAGUP0012 10-Jul-13 north of Cloncurry. 140.311732 -19.581857 Boomarra station. 36km North west of homestead. 160km QDAGUP0013 11-Jul-13 North north west of Cloncurry. 140.163751 -19.297825 Boomarra Station. 15km west north west of homestead. QDAMII0001 05-Aug-13 136km north north west of Cloncurry. 140.221359 -19.50785
7 Appendix 4. Point intercept data
Plot name Herbarium ID Common name Approx. % cover
QDAGUP0012 Eulalia aurea Silky Browntop 8.42
QDAGUP0012 Cenchrus ciliaris A Buffel Grass 5.84
QDAGUP0012 Aristida sp. 2.38
QDAGUP0012 Aristida sp. Kerosene grasses 2.38
QDAGUP0012 Eucalyptus pruinosa Kullingal 2.08
QDAGUP0012 Carissa lanceolata 1.49
QDAGUP0012 Aristida pruinosa Gulf Feathertop Wiregrass 1.19
QDAGUP0012 Astrebla squarrosa Bull Mitchell grass 1.09
QDAGUP0013 Astrebla elymoides Hoop Mitchell Grass 12.28
QDAGUP0013 Astrebla squarrosa Bull Mitchell grass 7.72
QDAGUP0013 Aristida latifolia Feathertop Wiregrass 3.37
QDAMII0001 Cenchrus ciliaris A Buffel Grass 1.58
QDAMII0001 Corymbia terminalis Bloodwood 1.49
8 Appendix 5. Substrate and Growth Form Approx % Growth Approx % of Plot Name Substrate substrate Plot Name Form Growth Forms Tussock QDAGUP0012 Leaf litter 60.02 QDAGUP0012 grass 78.6
QDAGUP0012 Bare ground 26.46 QDAGUP0012 Tree Mallee 9.36
QDAGUP0012 Gravel 12.26 QDAGUP0012 Shrub 7.69
QDAGUP0012 Cryptogam 1.26 QDAGUP0012 Tree/Palm 1.67
QDAGUP0012 Forb 1.34
QDAGUP0012 Sedge 1.34 Approx % Growth Approx % of Plot Name Substrate substrate Plot Name Form Growth Forms Tussock QDAGUP0013 Leaf litter 78.64 QDAGUP0013 grass 97.95
QDAGUP0013 Bare ground 21.27 QDAGUP0013 Sedge 0.82
QDAGUP0013 Cryptogam 0.1 QDAGUP0013 Shrub 0.82
QDAGUP0013 Tree/Palm 0.41 Approx % Growth Approx % of Plot Name Substrate substrate Plot Name Form Growth Forms Tussock QDAMII0001 Bare ground 64.13 QDAMII0001 grass 40.82
QDAMII0001 Leaf litter 28.56 QDAMII0001 Shrub 25.51
QDAMII0001 Gravel 6.52 QDAMII0001 Tree/Palm 23.47
QDAMII0001 Rock 0.49 QDAMII0001 Forb 10.2 Coarse woody QDAMII0001 debris 0.2
QDAMII0001 Cryptogam 0.1
9 Appendix 6. Structural summary
Plot name Structural description Eucalyptus pruinosa mid sparse mallee woodland with tussock grass understratum dominated by Eulalia aurea QDAGUP0012 and Cenchrus ciliaris. Astrebla elymoides low open tussock grassland with Astrebla squarrosa and Aristida latifolia tussock grassland QDAGUP0013 and isolated emergent Atalaya hemiglauca and Vachellia farnesiana. Eucalyptus pruinosa / Corymbia terminalis low isolated trees with a sparse shrub stratum of Carissa lanceolata, QDAMII0001 Hakea arborescens and Acacia holosericea. A sparse ground stratum dominated by Cenchrus ciliaris
10 Appendix 7. Soil Classification
Colour Plot name Upper depth Lower depth Texture ph effervescence Horizon when wet EC
QDAGUP0012 0 0.03 A1 Clayey sand 7.5YR2.53 6.4 0.16 Non-calcareous
QDAGUP0012 0.03 0.4 B1 Sandy loam 5YR34 6.2 0.11 Non-calcareous
QDAGUP0013 0 0.05 A1 Light clay 10YR43 5.9 0.14 Non-calcareous
QDAGUP0013 0.05 0.2 B21 Light medium clay 10YR43 5.9 0.07 Non-calcareous
QDAGUP0013 0.2 0.45 B22 Medium clay 10YR43 6.1 0.07 Non-calcareous
QDAMII0001 0 0.02 A1 Loamy sand 5YR34 6.1 0.13 Non-calcareous
QDAMII0001 0.02 0.4 B1 Clayey sand 2.5YR36 5.9 0.13 Non-calcareous
Appendix 8. Bulk density
Plot name Sample depth Fine earth weight Fine earth bulk density
QDAMII0001 0.10-0.20 351.58 1.68
QDAMII0001 0.20-0.30 358.94 1.71
QDAMII0001 0.00 - 0.10 291.97 1.49
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Appendix 9. Plant collection * Denotes introduced species
Plot name Family Herabarium determination Common Name
QDAGUP0012 Malvaceae Abutilon sp. Chinese lantern
QDAGUP0012 Amaranthaceae Achyranthes aspera Chaff Flower
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Aeschynomene indica Budda Pea
QDAGUP0012 Amaranthaceae Alternanthera angustifolia Narrow-leaf Joyweed
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Aristida pruinosa Gulf Feathertop Wiregrass
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Aristida sp. Aristida
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Astrebla squarrosa Bull Mitchell grass
QDAGUP0012 Sapindaceae Atalaya hemiglauca Cattle Bush
QDAGUP0012 Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia paludosa
QDAGUP0012 Convolvulaceae Bonamia media
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Brachyachne convergens Common Native Couch
QDAGUP0012 Apocynaceae Carissa spinarum
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae *Cenchrus ciliaris A Buffel Grass
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Chrysopogon fallax Golden Beardgrass
QDAGUP0012 Malvaceae Corchorus fascicularis Grubweed
QDAGUP0012 Myrtaceae Corymbia aparrerinja Ghost Gum
QDAGUP0012 Myrtaceae Corymbia terminalis Bloodwood
QDAGUP0012 Cyperaceae Cyperus sp.
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Dichanthium fecundum Curly Bluegrass
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Dichanthium sericeum subsp. polystachyum
QDAGUP0012 Chenopodiaceae Einadia sp.
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Enneapogon purpurascens Purple Nineawn
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Eriachne mucronata Mountain Wanderrie Grass
QDAGUP0012 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus pruinosa Kullingal
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Eulalia aurea Silky Browntop
QDAGUP0012 Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx
QDAGUP0012 Proteaceae Grevillea striata Beef Oak
QDAGUP0012 Boraginaceae Heliotropium tenuifolium
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Indigofera ewartiana
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Indigofera linifolia
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Indigofera linnaei Birdsville Indigo
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Indigofera sp. False indigo
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Iseilema vaginiflorum Red Flinders Grass
QDAGUP0012 Malvaceae *Malvastrum americanum var. americanum
QDAGUP0012 Marsileaceae Marsilea hirsuta Short-fruit Nardoo
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Neptunia dimorphantha Sensitive Plant
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Panicum decompositum var. decompositum
QDAGUP0012 Phyllanthaceae Phyllanthus sp.
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Plot name Family Herabarium determination Common Name
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Poaceae sp.
QDAGUP0012 Portulacaceae Portulaca sp.
QDAGUP0012 Asteraceae Pterocaulon sp.
QDAGUP0012 Chenopodiaceae Salsola australis
QDAGUP0012 Poaceae Sehima nervosum Rat's Tail Grass
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Sesbania sp.
QDAGUP0012 Malvaceae Sida fibulifera Pin Sida
QDAGUP0012 Malvaceae Sida spinosa Paddy's Lucerne
QDAGUP0012 Solanaceae Solanum esuriale Potato Bush
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Tephrosia filipes Tephrosia Filipes
QDAGUP0012 Fabaceae Vachellia farnesiana Mimosa Bush
QDAGUP0013 Amaranthaceae Alternanthera sp. Chaff flower
QDAGUP0013 Poaceae Aristida latifolia Feathertop Wiregrass
QDAGUP0013 Poaceae Astrebla elymoides Hoop Mitchell Grass
QDAGUP0013 Poaceae Astrebla squarrosa Bull Mitchell grass
QDAGUP0013 Sapindaceae Atalaya hemiglauca Cattle Bush
QDAGUP0013 Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium sp.
QDAGUP0013 Poaceae Chrysopogon fallax Golden Beardgrass
QDAGUP0013 Amaryllidaceae Crinum sp.
QDAGUP0013 Cyperaceae Cyperus sp.
QDAGUP0013 Fabaceae Flemingia pauciflora
QDAGUP0013 Fabaceae Flemingia sp.
QDAGUP0013 Goodeniaceae Goodenia lunata Hairy Goodenia
QDAGUP0013 Poaceae Iseilema vaginiflorum Red Flinders Grass
QDAGUP0013 Fabaceae Neptunia sp.
QDAGUP0013 Poaceae Poaceae sp.
QDAGUP0013 Convolvulaceae Polymeria sp.
QDAGUP0013 Fabaceae Rhynchosia minima var. australis
QDAGUP0013 Malvaceae Sida spinosa Paddy's Lucerne
QDAGUP0013 Fabaceae Vachellia farnesiana Mimosa Bush
QDAMII0001 Malvaceae Abutilon otocarpum Desert Chinese Lantern
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Acacia holosericea Candelabra Wattle
QDAMII0001 Amaranthaceae *Aerva javanica Kapok Bush
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Aristida holathera Erect Kerosene Grass
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Aristida sp. Aristida
QDAMII0001 Convolvulaceae Bonamia media var. media
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Brachyachne convergens Common Native Couch
QDAMII0001 Apocynaceae Carissa spinarum
QDAMII0001 Poaceae *Cenchrus ciliaris A Buffel Grass
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Chrysopogon fallax Golden Beardgrass
QDAMII0001 Cleomaceae Cleome viscosa Mustard Bush
QDAMII0001 Malvaceae Corchorus tridens
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Plot name Family Herabarium determination Common Name
QDAMII0001 Myrtaceae Corymbia grandifolia
QDAMII0001 Myrtaceae Corymbia terminalis Bloodwood
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Crotalaria medicaginea var. neglecta
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Crotalaria novae-hollandiae subsp. novae-hollandiae
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Enneapogon polyphyllus Leafy Nineawn
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Eriachne mucronata Mountain Wanderrie Grass
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Eriachne obtusa Northern Wanderrie Grass
QDAMII0001 Myrtaceae Eucalyptus pruinosa Kullingal
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Eulalia aurea Silky Browntop
QDAMII0001 Convolvulaceae Evolvulus alsinoides var. villosicalyx
QDAMII0001 Phyllanthaceae Flueggea virosa subsp. melanthesoides
QDAMII0001 Proteaceae Hakea arborescens Arrarruwurra
QDAMII0001 Boraginaceae Heliotropium cunninghamii
QDAMII0001 Malvaceae Hibiscus meraukensis Merauke Hibiscus
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Indigofera linifolia
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Indigofera linnaei Birdsville Indigo
QDAMII0001 Convolvulaceae Ipomoea polymorpha Silky Cow-vine
QDAMII0001 Apocynaceae Marsdenia australis Doubah
QDAMII0001 Convolvulaceae Polymeria sp.
QDAMII0001 Asteraceae Pterocaulon serrulatum var. velutinum
QDAMII0001 Phyllanthaceae Sauropus sp.
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Sehima nervosum Rat's Tail Grass
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Senna planitiicola Arsenic bush
QDAMII0001 Malvaceae Sida sp.
QDAMII0001 Solanaceae Solanum quadriloculatum Tomato Bush
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Tephrosia sp.
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Tephrosia sp. Magazine Hill (P.Jones 365)
QDAMII0001 Combretaceae Terminalia canescens Pindan Walnut
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Triodia pungens Gummy Spinifex
QDAMII0001 Poaceae Urochloa subquadripara Green Summer Grass
QDAMII0001 Fabaceae Vachellia farnesiana Mimosa Bush
QDAMII0001 Malvaceae Waltheria indica
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