Desert Ecology Research Group Plot Network: Mammal, Reptile And Vegetation Data Associated With Weather, 1990–2011

This data package is a derivative comprising of a subset of data from four existing data packages: • Weather Data (daily and monthly), Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1995–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.48/html • Vegetation Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1990–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.44/html) • Mammal Abundance Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1990–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.37/html) • Reptile Abundance Plot-data, Simpson Desert, Western Queensland, 1990–2011 (http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.42/html) These data are used to produce the graphs found in figure 10.25 on pages 411–412 in Lindenmayer et. al 2014, Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring Challenges and Direction. They have been combined to illustrate the vegetation and vertebrate response to weather patterns, and the interaction between predator and prey during these cycles. The data includes: • monthly rainfall data for automatic weather stations situated at 13 sites separated by distances of between 5 and 80 km. • percentage ground cover of spinifex (Triodia basedowii) • mammal abundance data for two species of rodent (Spinifex Hopping-mouse & Sandy Inland Mouse) who feed on spinifex seed • mammal abundance data for the Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart (an insectivore) • mammal abundance data for the Brush-tailed Mulgara, a predator who feeds on the Spinifex Hopping-mouse & Sandy Inland Mouse • reptile abundance data for the Military Dragon • reptile abundance data for the Central Netted Dragon Vegetation attributes were recorded in an area occupying 2.5 m radius around six traps on each trapping grid and have been aggregated to grid level data. Weather data is collected from automatic weather stations situated at 13 sites separated by distances of between 5 and 80 km. Capture data for a specified duration of trapping nights (usually 3 night session) in the Simpson Desert, Western Queensland. Captured mammal and reptile fauna were identified and recaptures during the same session were removed (i.e. individuals were only counted once). Date, site and grid number were recorded for all captures, and captured animals were also marked by a unique ear notch prior to their release to identify recaptures. The network program uses a core of 12 sites which are sampled every April-May. The trapping survey aims to quantitatively track long-term shifts in biodiversity and ecological processes in relation to key drivers, including unpredictable rainfall and droughts, fire, feral predators and grazing. A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Desert Ecology's full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/desert-ecology.

本数据集包为衍生数据集，源自4个现有数据集包的子集数据：
• 澳大利亚昆士兰州西部辛普森沙漠1995–2011年气象数据（日度与月度）（http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.48/html）
• 澳大利亚昆士兰州西部辛普森沙漠1990–2011年植被样地数据（http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.44/html）
• 澳大利亚昆士兰州西部辛普森沙漠1990–2011年哺乳动物丰度样地数据（http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.37/html）
• 澳大利亚昆士兰州西部辛普森沙漠1990–2011年爬行动物丰度样地数据（http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern.42/html）

本数据集用于绘制Lindenmayer等人2014年出版的《生物多样性与环境变化：监测挑战与方向》（*Biodiversity and Environmental Change: Monitoring Challenges and Direction*）一书第411至412页的图10.25中的相关图表。本组合数据集旨在阐释植被与脊椎动物对气象格局的响应，以及此类周期中捕食者与猎物间的相互作用。

本数据集包含以下内容：
• 13个间距5至80公里的自动气象站的月度降雨数据
• 三齿稃（spinifex，*Triodia basedowii*）的地表盖度百分比数据
• 两种以三齿稃种子为食的啮齿类动物丰度数据：三齿稃跳鼠（Spinifex Hopping-mouse）与沙地内陆鼠（Sandy Inland Mouse）
• 少毛足袋鼩（Lesser Hairy-footed Dunnart，食虫类）的哺乳动物丰度数据
• 鬃尾袋鼬（Brush-tailed Mulgara，捕食三齿稃跳鼠与沙地内陆鼠的捕食者）的哺乳动物丰度数据
• 军龙（Military Dragon）的爬行动物丰度数据
• 中纹龙（Central Netted Dragon）的爬行动物丰度数据

植被属性的调查范围为每个诱捕网格内6个诱捕点周边2.5米半径的区域，数据已聚合至网格尺度。气象数据源自13个间距5至80公里的自动气象站。采集数据为澳大利亚昆士兰州西部辛普森沙漠中特定时长的诱捕夜间数据（通常为连续3夜的诱捕周期）。对捕获的哺乳动物与爬行动物类群进行物种鉴定，同一诱捕周期内的重复捕获个体将被剔除（即每个个体仅统计一次）。所有捕获记录均记录日期、采样点与网格编号，捕获动物在放归前会通过独特的耳缺标记进行标识，以便识别重复捕获个体。该监测网络的核心包含12个采样点，每年4-5月开展一次采样工作。本次诱捕调查旨在定量追踪生物多样性与生态过程的长期变化，及其与关键驱动因子的关联，包括不可预测的降雨与干旱、火灾、外来捕食者与放牧活动。

作为沙漠生态完整监测计划一部分的相关数据集包概况，可通过以下链接获取：http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/desert-ecology