Above-ground species diversity in the old growth-stage

We used fire-history maps to stratify the landscape into four growth stages: 0-3 years since fire (juvenile); 4–10 years (young); 11–34 years (mature); and >34 years (old). We established 71 sites across the range of growth stages within each region. At each site, we counted all above-ground shrub, sub-shrub, and herbaceous species in six 3 × 3 m quadrats, two each at ridge, mid-slope (midway between ridge and gully) and lower-slope/gully locations.