Three Parks Savanna Fire-effects Plot Network (Fauna): Terrestrial Vertebrate Monitoring, Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 2005–2011

Abstract: A total of 220 permanent monitoring plots (40 m x 20 m) were established across three parks (Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk) in 1994-1995 to monitor biotic change. Of these, 46 plots are located in Nitmuluk. These sample a variety of landform and vegetation type/habitat conditions. A substantial proportion of plots were positioned deliberately at sites likely to reveal environmental dynamics, especially at ecotones and in patches of fire-sensitive vegetation. For example stands of Callitris, sandstone heaths. As well, many plots are located at, or in the near vicinity of, intensively managed sites such as camp-grounds and other tourist destinations. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Three Park Savanna Fire-effects Plot Network’s full program is provided at https://doi.org/10.25911/5c35959d4530d.

Sampling method: Some of the species listed in the taxonomic coverage were by-catch (i.e. they were not recorded using the described collection protocols). The monitoring program was designed originally to sample vegetation. Its suitability for the monitoring of fauna was recognised at a later date. As a consequence, the monitoring of fauna generally has lagged behind the vegetation monitoring program. The 46 plots in Nitmiluk were sampled in 2005 and 42 of these were resampled in 2011.

Study extent: There were two terrestrial vertebrate surveys conducted during this temporal range - one in 2005 and the other in 2011.

Project funding: National Environmental Research Program. Between 2012 and 2018 this project has been part of the Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN). LTERN is a Facility within the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) and supported by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy. This project has also received funding through Parks Australia, NT Parks & Wildlife Service, Tropical Savannas CRC, and Darwin Centre for Bushfires Research (Charles Darwin University).