Tree survival, diameter, growth, recruitment and climatic data, Northern Queensland, Australia 

This dataset presents the demographic monitoring (growth and survival) of 81 tree species based on repeated stem measurement data from 20, 0.5 ha (100 m x 50 m) permanent moist forest plots in northern Queensland, Australia from 1971 to 2019, as well as four additional plots of 0.1 to 1 ha whose monitoring began in the 2000s. The plots have a rainfall range of 1200 to over 6000 mm, represent eleven vegetation types, six parent materials, and range from 15 m to 1500 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 were recorded. We only report the data for the 81 species studied in Bauman et al. 2022 (Nature), here. We also provide the climatology of these plots as well as the temperature, vapour pressure deficit, and maximum climatological water deficit of all intervals separating consecutive censuses, as used in the analyses of Bauman et al. 2022. 

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. The data related to the 20 0.5-ha plots were established, maintained and censused by CSIRO (see https://doi.org/10.4225/08/59475c67be7a4 for initial link and data). We thank the Australian Supersite Network, part of the Australian Government’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Network for having provided the data for the Daintree Rainforest, Cow Bay, and Robson Creek Supersites. David Bauman was supported by the Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) and the Philippe Wiener - Maurice Anspach Foundation. 

The data collected from the 20 plots provides an insight into the floristics, 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. 

Data not provided.