Tropical Rainforest Plot Network: Tree Stem Density and Basal Area Associations with Phytophthora, Garrawalt, Northern Queensland, Australia, 1975–2009

Abstract: These data show the change in basal area and stem number following infection by Cinnamon Water Mould (Phytophthora cinnamomi) at the Garrawalt permanent plot NW of Townsville between 1975–2009. It demonstrates the recovery in dieback areas in Australia's tropical rainforests. The data tables attached are used to generate the graph in Figure 5.11 on p133 of the book Lindenmayer et al. 2014 Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring Challenges and Direction.The CSIRO permanent rainforest plots are located within 60 km of the north Queensland coast between Mackay (21.5ºS, 149ºE) and the Iron Range on Cape York Peninsula (12.5ºS, 143ºE). The plots have a rainfall range of 1200 to 3500 mm, represent eleven vegetation types, six parent materials, and range from 15 m to 1200 m above sea level. Except for minor disturbances associated with selective logging on two plots, the plots were established in old growth forest and all plots have thereafter been protected.

A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Tropical Rainforest Plot Network’s full program is provided at https://doi.org/10.25911/5c343f9e98336.

Sampling method: As for Study Extent.

Study extent: >See: Metcalfe, D. J., and M. G. Bradford. 2008. Rain forest recovery from dieback, Queensland, Australia. Forest Ecology and Management 256:2073–2077, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2008.07.040

Project funding: Commonwealth Forest and Timber Bureau (1971-1978), CSIRO internal funding (since 1978), Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management and the Rainforest Cooperative Research Centres (1992-2006), Earthwatch (2006).

The most recent censuses have been supported by the Long-Term Ecological Research Network sub facility, part of the Australian Government’s Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network (http://www.tern.org.au/Long-Term-Ecological-Research-Network-LTERN-pg17872.html). These data were curated and published with strategic funds from a TERN initiative to publish long term data packages from the book Lindenmayer et al. 2014 Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring, Challenges and Direction.

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.