Flora and Soil Surveys for Senior Secondary Biology and Geography 

This dataset contains flora, vegetation structure and soil survey data collected by senior secondary school students as part of ecological monitoring activities aligned with the Australian senior secondary Biology and Geography curricula. Data are collected across Australia from disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems, or from contrasting ecosystem types, using field methods adapted from TERN's ecological monitoring protocols.

Parameters may include plant composition and abundance, species diversity, canopy cover, leaf litter cover and depth, seedling abundance, basal area, slope, soil characteristics, disturbance history.
 

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 purpose of the dataset is:

• To compare species diversity and ecosystem characteristics between a disturbed and undisturbed site (or two different ecosystem types) aligned where possible with TERN protocols
• To analyse the effects of disturbance or environmental difference on ecosystem diversity and how this relates to ecosystem structure and function

 

Introduction
Data were collected using a modified version of widely adopted ecological monitoring and fieldwork techniques, including those outlined in TERN's Ecological Field Monitoring Protocols (EMSA), which provide standardised methods for monitoring Australia's environment at the continental scale (Laws, 2023b) to compare either:

• A disturbed and undisturbed ecosystem, or
• Two ecosystems that can be easily differentiated based on vegetation structure

Data types include:

• Vegetation structure
• Species diversity
• Soil characteristics

Site Selection
At each site, two subsites were selected to compare species diversity using measures such as species richness and the Simpson's Diversity Index, e.g.:

• An undisturbed reference ecosystem vs a disturbed ecosystem of the same type, undergoing recovery.
• Two regional ecosystem of different types, e.g., dry sclerophyll forest vs e.g., rainforest or wet sclerophyll forest.

Data Collection
At each subsite, data were collected across multiple 5x5 m plots. Ideally a minimum of 10 plots were sampled at each subsite. The 5 x 5 m plots were delimited using transect tape. At each plot the following data were collected:

1. General observations:
a. The canopy cover was estimated using a camera, PVC tube and canopy cover chart. The iPad was placed on the ground and held horizontally with the camera pointing towards the sky. The PVC tube was placed over the camera and an image was taken. This kept the field of view captured by the camera consistent across plots.
b. The percentage of leaf litter cover was assessed by eye across the entire plot (value out of 100) and measure the depth (cm) was measured using a ruler.
c. The number of seedlings (i.e. young trees and shrubs less than 0.5 m tall) was counted in each plot. This will provide insight into the rehabilitation or recovery stage.
d. The slope of the site was measured using a clinometer.
e. The diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured for all the plants within the 5 x 5 m plot that met these criteria:

• trees and tall shrubs >2 m in height with a DBH of ≥10 cm
• mallee and mulga >2 m in height with a DBH of ≥5 cm.

f. Mean DBH and basal area for each plot were derived from the individual DBH measurements.

2. Plant composition and diversity
a. Each plant within the plot was assigned a field species name and, where possible, a scientific name. Species identification was done with the help of the iNaturalist project (https://www.inaturalist.org ). If the plant could not be identified at the species level, it was assigned a descriptive term or a number. For instance:

• Flowering herb - purple
• Grass - tall, feathery
• Shrub - spiky leaves
• Eucalypt - smooth bark
• Eucalypt – rough bark
• Fern - large fronds
• Other tree - red berries

b. The number of individuals for each species was counted.
These data were used to calculate species richness and the Simpson's Diversity Index for each plot.

3. Soil assessment
a. For each plot a soil sample was obtained using an auger or hand trowel.
b. Soil pH was measured using a soil pH test kit at a depth of 20 cm.