Tropical Rainforest Plot Network: Rainforest Tree Demographic Data, Northern Queensland, Australia, 1971+

The 1971+ Tropical Rainforest Plot Network Rainforest Tree Demographic Data contains stem measurement data from 20 permanent 0.5 ha (100 m x 50 m) rainforest plots in Northern Queensland, Australia. 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. Plots were regularly censused and at each census the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all stems ≥10 cm DBH is recorded. Due to the wide geographical range of the plots, no species dominate, although the families Lauraceae, Rutaceae and Myrtaceae contribute a large number of species. The data collected from these 20 plots provides an insight into the floristical composition, structure and long term forest dynamics of Australian tropical rainforests and allows direct comparisons to be made with long-term monitoring plots at a global scale.

For further background data please refer to Bradford, M.G., Murphy, H.T., Ford, A.J., Hogan, D. and Metcalfe, D.J. (2014) "Long-term stem inventory data from tropical rain forest plots in Australia", Ecology, 95(8): 2362. Ecological Archives E095-209-D1. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/14-0458R.1

A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Tropical Rainforest Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/tropical-rainforest.
Data can be sourced from: http://doi.org/10.4225/08/59475c67be7a4 or https://data.csiro.au/dap/landingpage?pid=csiro:6638