TREND (PSRF) vegetation plot data 2011 

The TREND (PSRF)- Terrestrial Ecosystems project initiated a landscape-scale monitoring transect along the Adelaide Geosyncline region in southern Australia, initially spanning approximately 550 km. The aim was to examine spatial drivers of species composition and to isolate the influence of climate on whole vegetation community composition and therefore inform on-going monitoring of the impact of climate change. Specific questions were: 1. What are the most important spatial drivers of species and phylogenetic composition along landscape-scale environmental gradients? 2. Can the answer to Question 1. inform selection of suitable spatial analogues for climate change? 3. How can a framework for assessing spatial drivers be used to monitor and interpret shifts in species composition due to climate change? The dataset consists of site and species records (see attachments) for plots established along the Adelaide Geosyncline for the TREND project. Data consist of vascular plant species composition (presence-abundance/absence) within 900m² plots plus site data, including aspect and soil properties. Data have been used to analyze changes in composition with geographic and environmental differences and as a baseline for monitoring. 

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 South Australian 'Transects for Environmental Monitoring and Decision Making' (TREND) is a collaboration between University and Government (University of Adelaide, Primary Industries and Resources SA, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources). TREND was established with funding from the South Australian Government through the Premier's Science and Research Fund (PSRF) and later expanded by the Australia-wide Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN), which has since integrated TREND into a national network of ecosystem transects (the Australian Transect Network). The broad aim and scope of TREND was determined at its inception: to establish baseline monitoring transects in South Australia to assess the impact of climate change on the composition of the states natural systems, primarily through the concept that space can be used as a proxy for time. Data were collected to assist natural resource managers to better incorporate climate change into their planning. 

Data not provided.