Cumberland Plain Stem Diameter, Height and Aboveground Woody Biomass Data 

This data contains stem diameter, height measurement and above ground living biomass calculations for a remnant Eucalyptus woodland from 2014 - present. Diameter and height measurements for stems ≥10cm diameter at breast height were sampled within the core 1 ha plot within the Cumberland Plain site. Mistletoe cover data is also presented. 

We at TERN acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Australia, New Zealand and all nations. We honour their profound connections to land, water, biodiversity and culture and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. This work was funded by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), an Australian Government National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) project. 

This dataset records tree diameter and height data used to calculate above-ground biomass across vegetation types in Australia. This data is important for mapping and monitoring changes in plant growth, carbon storage and terrestrial energy fluxes. 

Tree survey:
Using the 100 m tape measure and the Gentry Transects as guidance, the core 1 hectare was subdivided in circa 12 m wide strips running East-West. Doing one strip at a time (starting in SE corner of the plot), all trees (> 10 cm DBH) within the core 1 hectare were fitted with a numbered aluminium tag. The tag was attached to the Eastern side of the trunk using stainless steel wire inserted into the bark with a custom made tool (i.e. small screwdriver with small notch). Trees with multiple stems were given multiple tags if forking below breast height. The species were identified by Dr. Tony Haigh.
The diameter at breast height (DBH) of all tagged stems within the core 1 hectare were measured using a DBH tape. The maximum height of all trees within the core 1 hectare was measured using a Haglof Vertex Laser. The maximum height refers to the top 0.5 m of the tree because the Vertex must be aimed at sufficiently dense foliage and branches in order to make a measurement.
Biomass calculations:
Aboveground biomass of trees was estimated from DBH using allometric equations from Paul, K.I., Roxburgh, S.H., England, J.R., Ritson, P., Hobbs, T., Brooksbank, K., John Raison, R., Larmour, J.S., Murphy, S., Norris, J., Neumann, C., Lewis, T., Jonson, J., Carter, J.L., McArthur, G., Barton, C. & Rose, B. (2013) Development and testing of allometric equations for estimating above-ground biomass of mixed-species environmental plantings. Forest Ecology and Management, 310, 483-494. Biomass of dead stems was calculated using a reduction factor of 85% of alive biomass (Bennett et al., 2013) Note: both alive and dead stems are included in the site level calculation of above ground woody biomass.
Mistletoe survey:
The extent of mistletoe infestation was estimated for all eucalyptus trees present in the core 1-ha plot.