TERN Symposium 2011

1. AusPlots Facility Presentation by Prof. Andy Lowe

2. Purpose of AusPlots National network of surveillance and ecosystem baseline assessment sites Develop common, rapid method (ecosystem specific), integrated with state/territory monitoring of ecosystems (Rangelands and Forests), to establish broad coverage, low intensity ecosystem description and surveillance network for Australia to assist ecosystem condition reporting and trajectory monitoring First phase - rangelands (81% of the continent); Second phase – mesic forests Collect consistent biodiversity data and integrate with current knowledge

3. AusPlots - Key Questions AusPlots will undertake surveillance surveys to collect baseline ecological data for use by the broader ecological and management community to: increase the understanding of the dynamics of plant species and soils; progress knowledge on distribution, abundance and threats to ecosystems; increase the knowledge of carbon and nutrient budgets of soils and vegetation; input into DNA barcoding of Australian vegetation and soil communities; determine the genetic and phylogenetic diversity and biogeography of continent assist in the field validation of remote sensing products; assist state and federal agencies to meet monitoring and reporting obligations; create a photographic reference of key Australian bioregions, enhance existing State photo reference libraries.

5. Regolith/Landform

6. Major Vegetation

8. Vegetation Mapping or Land Units

9. Logistical information

10. e.g. Distance from tracks

11. Political information

12. e.g. State monitoring priorities

13. Historical Information

15. Logistical Information

16. Political Information

18. Orientation

19. Representativeness

21. Plan for community engagement Current Reference Groups Wide consultation of Discussion paper (ESA) Jurisdictional involvement in plot selection Presentations Fliers Future Jurisdictions to undertake initial assessment Newsletter Presence on TERN website

23. Bush Blitz

24. National Forest Inventory (NFI) – DAFF

25. Atlas for Living Australia/Gaia Resources

26. Australian Centre for Visual Technologies (ACVT)

27. International Barcode of Life (IBOL)/Australian Biological Resources Study