Mallee Plot Network: Soil Moisture (Probe and Location) Data, Western New South Wales and South Australia, Australia, 2012, 2014 and 2015

Abstract: The Mallee Plot Network Soil Moisture (Probe and Location) Data Package contains soil moisture data obtained in 2012, 2014 and 2015, from monitoring tubes for soil moisture, which were installed at intervals along two transects extending across the catenary sequence from swale to swale across a dune crest in May 2011.

Between 1996 and 2011, 53 experimental sites were established on dune crests and upper slopes, of which 29 are located in Tarawi Nature Reserve, 16 are in Scotia Sanctuary and 8 are in Danggali Conservation Park. After initial censuses in three consecutive years (before and after prescribed fire) or two consecutive years (after wildfire), sites are revisited approximately every five years.

A synopsis of related data packages, which have been collected as part of the Mallee Plot Network’s full program is provided at https://doi.org/10.25911/5c133088bc5b9

Sampling method: The study is located in the red aeolian sand dunefield landscape of the Scotia district within Tarawi Nature Reserve (33.44ºS 141.16ºE), Scotia Wildlife Sanctuary (33°17′S 141°05'E) and Danggali Nature Reserve (33° 22' S 140° 45' E) in south-western New South Wales and adjacent area of South Australia. The study area sits on the south-eastern edge of the Australian arid zone. This location is close to the arid limits of distribution of the mallee woodland biome, which stretches across the temperate semi-arid belt of southern Australia (Noble 1984). Mallee woodlands typically occur within regions receiving 200-500 mm rainfall per year. During 1940-2010, mean annual rainfall at Tarawi Homestead was approximately 240 mm (data summary courtesy of John Warren, Tarawi NR).

Study extent: Between 1996 and 2011, 53 experimental sites were established on dune crests and upper slopes, of which 29 are located in Tarawi Nature Reserve, 16 are in Scotia Sanctuary and 8 are in Danggali Conservation Park. After initial censuses in three conseucttive years (before and after prescribed fire) or two consecutive years (after wildfire), sites are revisited approximately every five years.

Project funding: Between 2012 and 2018 this project was part of, and funded through the Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN) a facility within the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) and supported by the Australian Government through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.