Three Parks Savanna Fire-effects Plot Network (Fauna): Terrestrial Vertebrate Monitoring, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia, 2012–2014

This Terrestrial Vertebrate Monitoring data package comprises data for a sub-sample of the 133 plots situated in Kakadu National Park. Terrestrial mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians are sampled in a 50 x 50 m plot adjacent to each fire plot monitoring site (below). Each vertebrate plot is sampled every five years. Within each five yearly-interval plots are sampled in different months over a three-year period. Each individual plot is always sampled in the same month.

The plots are assessed for fire occurrence at least annually by means of on-ground visits by ranger staff. This record is used, in conjunction with aerial surveys, to assess the reliability of the fire history which has been developed from satellite imagery. A photo record assembled for field visits to Kakadu National Park (and Nitmiluk National Park) visits spanning 1995-2004 has also been used to develop a practical field-based index of fire severity. The Three Parks Savanna Plot Network’s full program uses a total of 220 permanent monitoring plots established in the Kakadu, Litchfield and Nitmiluk National Parks which commenced in 1994-1995. The research is aimed at improving our understanding of impacts associated with imposed fire on vegetation structure, plant species and vertebrate fauna, in order to improve our knowledge and management of fire in tropical savanna landscapes. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Three Park Savanna's full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/three-parks-savanna.

本陆生脊椎动物监测数据集包，包含卡卡杜国家公园（Kakadu National Park）内133个样地的子样本监测数据。在每个毗邻火灾样地监测点位的50米×50米样地内，对陆生哺乳类、鸟类、爬行类及两栖类开展采样（见下文）。每个脊椎动物样地每五年进行一次采样；每五年为一个采样周期，在该周期的三年时段内，样地采样分不同月份进行，但每个独立样地始终在同一月份开展采样。

管护人员通过实地踏勘，至少每年对样地的火灾发生情况开展一次评估。该记录与航空调查数据结合后，用于评估基于卫星影像构建的火灾历史记录的可靠性。一套为1995-2004年间卡卡杜国家公园（Kakadu National Park）及尼特米鲁克国家公园（Nitmiluk National Park）实地考察汇编的影像记录，也被用于构建实用的野外火灾严重程度指数。三园稀树草原样地网络（Three Parks Savanna Plot Network）的完整项目共设置220个永久监测样地，分布于卡卡杜国家公园（Kakadu National Park）、利奇菲尔德国家公园（Litchfield National Park）及尼特米鲁克国家公园（Nitmiluk National Park），该项目于1994-1995年启动。本研究旨在加深对人为调控火烧对植被结构、植物物种及脊椎动物区系造成的影响的认知，进而提升对热带稀树草原景观中火情的认知水平与管理能力。三园稀树草原完整项目所采集的相关数据集包的概要，可通过以下链接查阅：http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/three-parks-savanna。