This dataset lists land surface substrate characteristics observed in Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. Land surface substrate observations are collected at each site as part of the AusPlots Point intercept method. At each site, observations on the substrate type (e.g. rock, coarse woody debris, litter) are recorded on transect laid out on the plots. These records form the basis for ground cover derivation, see the AusPlots Ground cover and Point intercept methods below.

This dataset listed landform characteristics (i.e. visible features of a land area) observed in Rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. Landform observations are recorded at each site as part of the AusPlots Plots and Physical Descriptions method. Observations on the landform elements and their patterns are recorded as part of this protocol.

This dataset lists the parameters associated with disturbance from Rangeland sites across Australia described by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. For each site, the disturbance parameters such as erosion type, state of erosion, extent of erosion is studied following the AusPlots Plot Description protocol and becomes an important part of understanding the site disturbance in the AusPlots Rangelands.

This dataset lists soil profile observations described in the rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. Soil profile characteristics are observed and collected at each site as part of the AusPlots Soil and Landscapes methods. For each soil profile sampled, soil horizon's colour, electrical conductivity, effervescence, soil ped characteristics, soil pH, texture and coarse fragments characteristics are described as part of the AusPlots Soil characterisation to 1 m+ method. Soil specimens for the soil horizons are also collected for preservation.

This dataset lists observations on soil samples collected in rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. Soil samples are collected at each site as part of the AusPlots Soil Samples method. For each soil sample fine earth bulk density, gravel bulk density, wet and dry weight are estimated and coarse fragments lithology, abundance, size and shape observed as part of the AusPlots Soil Samples and Soil Bulk Density method.

This dataset lists the parameters associated with plant population from Rangeland sites across Australia described by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. For each species in the plot, their basal area is derived using the TERN basal wedge across different spatial points in the plots, are described using AusPlots basal sweep sampling points methods. Other recorded information includes the number of sampling points. Species identification is updated once confirmed by Herbaria records. Plant population data can be aggregated across the site to calculate relative species abundance, species- growth form- and -community-level basal area. In addition, TERN has derived the IUCN and EPBC conservation status of each tree species under study following the latest status listed in their databases.

This dataset lists plant species and their abundance identified at rangeland sites across Australia by the TERN Surveillance Monitoring team, using standardised AusPlots methodologies. Plant occurrences (i.e. a sample of a plant at a particular point and time) are methodically identified at each site as part of the AusPlots Point intercept method. Plant species are identified at each site as part of the AusPlots Vegetation vouchering and Point intercept methods. In addition to site visit date and location, the information provided includes growth form, plant height and whether the plant is dead. In-canopy-sky is also recorded if there is no intercept to foliage or branches when viewing the canopy through the densitometer and can be used to calculate species cover or aerial cover. Species identification is updated once confirmed by Herbaria records. Plant occurrences data can be aggregated across the site to calculate relative species abundance, green ground cover, species- growth form- and -community-level basal area. In addition, at least one specimen is taken from each species at the site, assigned a barcode and provided for vouchering and further analyses.

This dataset comprises a comprehensive archive of soil pit samples collected from TERN Ecosystem Surveillance monitoring plots across Australia. Soil is characterised from a 1-meter soil pit located near the southwest corner of each 1-hectare monitoring plot. A soil sample is collected down the soil profile from each recognised horizon, and are collected as part of the soil characterisation process including detailed morphological and profile descriptions. Collected following the standardised Ecosystem Surveillance methodology, the dataset includes over 5,800 soil pit samples archived in the TERN Australia Soil and Herbarium Collection, located at the University of Adelaide's Waite Campus. Each record includes detailed metadata such as voucher barcode for soil collected from each horizon at the soil pit, site and visit information and sampling details. Soil pit samples are accessible and available for loan upon request through the EcoPlots Samples portal via an Expression of Interest.

TERN Ecosystem Surveillance is a plot-based field monitoring platform that tracks the direction and magnitude of change in Australia’s environments. Information on soils and vegetation is collected according to standardized, widely endorsed and consistent protocols across all plots, and includes the collection of soil and vegetation samples for subsequent analysis. Data collected by TERN is stratified across the entire continent to ensure adequate coverage of major Australian ecosystems, and measures are repeated at least once a decade, with the aim to establish replicate plots throughout the ecosystem types existing within Australia’s Major Vegetation Groups (MVG’s). Additional plots located in key environmental transition zones will be re-measured every five to ten years. TERN users include researchers, land managers and policy-makers who require access to terrestrial ecosystem attributes collected over time from continental scale to field sites at hundreds of representative locations. TERN provides model-ready data that enables users to detect and interpret changes in ecosystems. In addition, TERN curates The TERN Australia Soil and Herbarium Collection, with over 180,000 vegetation and soil samples (and associated contextual environmental data), available to loan through the EcoPlots Samples portal via an Expression of Interest. TERN’s world-class surveillance monitoring infrastructure will support long-term ecological inventory, environmental monitoring, environmental prediction, reporting and assessment, and underpin decisions about our greatest environmental challenges.

TERN Ecosystem Surveillance is a plot-based field monitoring platform that tracks the direction and magnitude of change in Australia’s environments. Information on soils and vegetation is collected according to standardized, widely endorsed and consistent protocols across all plots, and includes the collection of soil and vegetation samples for subsequent analysis. Data collected by TERN is stratified across the entire continent to ensure adequate coverage of major Australian ecosystems, and measures are repeated at least once a decade, with the aim to establish replicate plots throughout the ecosystem types existing within Australia’s Major Vegetation Groups (MVG’s). Additional plots located in key environmental transition zones will be re-measured every five to ten years. TERN users include researchers, land managers and policy-makers who require access to terrestrial ecosystem attributes collected over time from continental scale to field sites at hundreds of representative locations. TERN provides model-ready data that enables users to detect and interpret changes in ecosystems. In addition, TERN curates The TERN Australia Soil and Herbarium Collection, with over 180,000 vegetation and soil samples (and associated contextual environmental data), available to loan through the EcoPlots Samples portal via an Expression of Interest. TERN’s world-class surveillance monitoring infrastructure will support long-term ecological inventory, environmental monitoring, environmental prediction, reporting and assessment, and underpin decisions about our greatest environmental challenges.