Tropical Rainforest Plot Network: Rainforest Tree Demographic Data, Northern Queensland, Australia, 2011-2013

The LTERN Tropical Rainforest Plot Network Rainforest Tree Demographic Data contains stem measurement data from 20, 0.5 ha (100 m x 50 m) permanent rainforest plots in Northern Queensland, Australia from 2011 to 2013. This is part of a much larger dataset that spans from 1971 to 2013 that is managed by CSIRO. 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 the 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 (Bradford, M.G., Murphy, H.T., Ford, A.J., Hogan, D. and Metcalfe, D.J. (2014). Long term stem inventory data from tropical rainforest plots in Australia. Ecology 95:2362. http://www.rainforest-crc.jcu.edu.au/publications/permanent_plots1.pdf. 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.LTERN热带雨林样地网络树木种群动态数据集包含2011至2013年间，澳大利亚昆士兰州北部20块面积为0.5公顷（100米×50米）的永久性热带雨林样地的茎干测量数据。该数据集是由澳大利亚联邦科学与工业研究组织（CSIRO）管理的、时间跨度为1971至2013年的更大规模数据集的一部分。CSIRO管理的永久性热带雨林样地分布于昆士兰州北部海岸60公里范围内，地理跨度介于麦凯（21.5°S，149°E）与约克角半岛的铁岭（12.5°S，143°E）之间。样地的年降雨量范围为1200至3500毫米，涵盖11种植被类型与6种母质类型，海拔跨度为15米至1200米。除两块样地存在选择性采伐带来的轻微干扰外，所有样地均设置于原始雨林中，且自建立起便受到保护。样地均定期开展普查，每次普查均记录所有茎干的胸径（DBH, Diameter at Breast Height），其中茎干胸径需≥10厘米。由于样地地理分布范围较广，无单一物种占据优势，但樟科（Lauraceae）、芸香科（Rutaceae）以及桃金娘科（Myrtaceae）包含的物种数量较多。本次采集自20块样地的数据，可用于解析澳大利亚热带雨林的植物区系组成、群落结构与长期森林动态，并可与全球范围内的长期监测样地开展直接对比（参考文献：Bradford MG, Murphy HT, Ford AJ, Hogan D, Metcalfe DJ. 2014. 澳大利亚热带雨林样地长期茎干清查数据. 《生态学》(Ecology) 95:2362. 原文链接：http://www.rainforest-crc.jcu.edu.au/publications/permanent_plots1.pdf）。作为热带雨林样地网络完整计划一部分的相关数据包概要，可通过以下链接获取：http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/tropical-rainforest。