ausplots training - session 2

AusPlotsTraining

Session 2

Brought to you by Team AusPlots

4 Presentations before lunch

Stratification – “Telling an Australian Story”

Use of the data: Collaborators, Downstream analysis and Knowledge Gained

Introduction to the AusPlots Method Manual

Organising a Survey, Equipment, Permissions etc.

StratificationTelling an Australian Ecological Story

Ben Sparrow

Stratification“Telling the Australian Story”

Decision Framework

RangelandsForests

• Climate•Vegetation mapping•Landform•Bioregions•Good national spatial coverage•Data deficient areas•Location of other TERN sites / Environments covered/ Collaboration•Ibra sub regions•Distance from water•Land systems•Regional Ecosystems•Land Units

Pragmatic decision making on:

Historical Information

Scientific/ Environmental Information

Logistical Information

Political Information


Previous monitoring sites• Types of information previously collected• Location of site• Ability to accurately relocate•Management history•Quality/ compatability of previously collected data.•Location of biological survey sites•Land Use•Aim of previous monitoring






•Ability to get to the site•Financial limitations•Ease of access to bioregion•Ease of access to suitable sites•Road and Track layers•Terrain layers






•State priorities•Site ownership•Tenure•Location within NRS• Covenants•Federal Government Priorities•Future Policy Drivers

•Carbon economy•Climate change•Biodiversity loss•Food security





Stratification/ Site Selection

Consists of 4 steps

– Bioregional Stratification

– Selecting representative bioregions to sample

– Stratification of areas of sampling interest within each bioregion

– Field location of plots

Stage 1. Determining Bioregional

groupings using hierarchical clustering techniques

Based on:•Climate•Regolith/Landform•Major Vegetation Groups

Summarise for each bioregion

Conduct PATN analysis to groupsimilar bioregions

Stage 2. Decisions on which bioregions to sample

In consultation with state and territory agencies

Based on the decision making framework

Stratification workshop held in May 2011 – representatives from each state

Pick one or several Bioregions per groupto sample

•Developed a consensus list a few months after the workshop






Stage 3. GIS analysis within each bioregion to determine Areas of

Interest

Based on the best available spatial information representing each information type in our decision framework.

•e.g. Vegetation Mapping or Land Units

•e.g. Distance from tracks

•e.g. State monitoring priorities

•e.g. Previous monitoring sites






• Gather best available spatial information for each bioregion that

is sampled.

• Conduct GIS analysis to determine which areas are of highest priority to

sample.

• Interpret these areas in light of heuristic information on previous

monitoring sites, local knowledge (in collaboration with states), and

practical and logistical considerations, and reservation

• Output is areas of interest

Stage 4 - Field Locations of Plots

• Final selection only possible in the field.

• Will be some rules to provide guidance

• Homogeneity

• Orientated to grid

• Decision process noted

• Representative

• Protected

• Discussed in a subsequent Presentation

Are now also including a new process

• Working with Kristen Williams and Simon Ferrier @ CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences

• Assess where we currently have sites

• Assess the location of these sites against biological and climatic variables

• Calculate the “most dissimilar” sites to focus next effort on.

Uses of the DataCollaborations, downstream analysis and knowledge gained

Ben Sparrow

Collaboration with: Bush Blitz and State Herbaria

Analyses conducted:– Shared field data collection

– Species discovery and frequency cover

Knowledge gained– Biodiversity discovery

– Improved understanding of flora distribution

– Ability to model distribution

– Increased understanding of habitat preferences/requirements

– Specimen protection/preservation

Collaboration with: Bush Blitz and State NRM Agencies

Analyses conducted:– Plant/Canopy Structure / Size

– Community Demographics

Knowledge gained– Age/ Demographic profiles

– Data to inform on Ecosystem Condition

– Community evolution

– Understanding the drivers of change

Collaboration with: Australian Centre for Visual Technologies

Analyses conducted:– Determined new method for taking photo points

– Interactive Panoramas Developed

– Point Clouds calculated

– Research into Basal Area Calculations

Knowledge gained– Growth form analysis automated

– Basal area calculated – with allometric equations able to calibrate to biomass for particular communities and hence inform on carbon volume

– Determine BHD

– Inform on community structure

– Info in the entire site

Collaboration with: Auscover, CSIRO and DERM (QLD)

Analyses conducted:– Acquisition of terrestrial LiDAR of selected ecosystems

– Comparison with photopoint data

– Calibrate photopoint data with known measurements

– Estimate biomass for communities

Knowledge gained– Will help inform on carbon

– Assist train photopoints for structural data

– Improved ground based biomass measures/ Structural volumes

– Compatibility/ Validation of Airborne LiDAR

Collaboration with: AusCover

Analyses conducted:– LAI measurements in Situ

– Compare and validate remotely sensed LAI products

– Relationship between LAI and FPC determined

Knowledge gained– Validation of international RS products

– Validation in previously poorly sampled areas.

– Understanding of the relationship between LAI and FPC on a community basis

– LAI informative on net primary productivity

– Understanding how productive a system will affect management

Collaboration with: Atlas of Living Australia and ÆKOS

Analyses conducted:– Created Android “app” for digital data collection

– Data automatically uploaded to AusPlots database

– AusPlots database on “the cloud”

– Query directly or serve through ÆKOS

Benefits– Ease of data collection

– Less opportunities for error

– Save significant $$ on data entry

– Ensures data collected in correct format

– Speed up data collection

Collaboration with: TERN Soils, CSIRO Land and Water – National Soils Archive

Analyses conducted:– Robustly store samples for future use

– Wet chemistry

– MIR analysis

– Calibration of MIR

Knowledge gained– Soil chemical inventory of rangeland – very few samples outside

agricultural areas

– Will inform the soils map of Australia

– Provide continental soil carbon and nutrient info

– Provide for future uses

Collaboration with: Bioplatforms australia

Analyses conducted:– Metagenomic analysis of dried soil

• 9 samples per plot

• By all plots

Knowledge gained– Biodiversity discovery

– Metagenomic soil community assessment across the continent

– Informs diversity and function of soil biota

– Soil biota distribution in relation to geology, climate, vegetation

– Tests how well soil DNA can be used as rapid biodiversity survey

Collaboration with: e-Mast

Analyses conducted:– Isotope Analysis (A)

– Plant functional traits (M)

– Wet/ Dry Mass – Leaf area (M)

– Respiration info (S)

Knowledge gained– Provides essential modeling inputs

– Information not available to date

– Inform on carbon

– Better modeling + increased predictive/ what if scenarios

Collaboration with: Jahren Lab – University of Hawai’i

& David Keith UNSW & eMAST

Analyses conducted:– Plant Isotope Analysis

Knowledge gained– Info on plant stresses

– Info in best adapted species

– Info on species at risk

– Compared to morphological and genetic indicators of stress

– Inform models on how species effected by climate change

– Species headed for extinction

Collaboration with: IBOL, CBOL, BGI

Analyses conducted:– Barcoding of plant samples (curated)– Population genetic analysis of plant samples (all replicates)– Transcriptome analysis (targeted sites)

Knowledge gained– Evolutionary relationships - species/communities– Phylogenetic diversity and endemism– Community phylogeny and evolutionary adaptation– Ecosystem refugia and genetic diversity– Colonisation/contraction dynamics– Connectivity and biogeographic disjunction analysis– Adaptive gene identification and screening– Gene expression changes in response to environment

Collaboration with: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry/ National

Earth Observations Group – Geoscience Australia

Analyses conducted:– Point Intercept

– Conversion of Point Intercept data to functional groups

– Data collection on the “app”

– Data storage

Knowledge gained– Validation of Land Cover datasets

– Particularly Fractional Cover datasets

– Inform NEO DLCM – Accuracy assessment

The AusPlots Methods ManualAn Introduction

http://tern.org.au/AusPlots-Rangelands-Survey-Protocol-Manual-released-bgp1915.html

http://tern.org.au/AusPlots-Rangelands-Survey-Protocol-Manual-released-bgp1915.html

Including:a) Plot description.b) Soil characterisation to 1 m+c) Soil observationd) Soil bulk densitye) Soil samples

Future Updates

• Significant content update/ refresh throughout

• Addition of:

– Fauna Survey Protocols

– Birds Survey Protocols (from Birdlife Australia)

– Woodlands Module

– Condition Assessment Protocols

– Ant and/or invertebrate survey Protocols

– Fungi Survey Protocols

• Inclusion of the Forest manual

Organising a Survey

Sally

Funding and Expenses

• Wages• Vehicles and fuel• Accommodation• Equipment costs

– Stationary, printing, maps etc

• Licence and access fees– Existing data, permits, etc

• Food and living expenses• Petty cash

– Unexpected repairs, consumables, other expenses

• Consultant fees• Additional wages or survey-specific expenses

Legislative Requirements

• Scientific Permits (State Govt)

– Required for research that requires “taking” any protected species from the wild (inc. private land)

– research carried out in reserves, including collection of soil, rocks, leaf litter, etc.

National Park Regional Reserve Conservation Reserve

Conservation Park Wilderness Protection Area Crown Lands

Game Reserve Wilderness Protection Zone Forest Reserves

Recreation Park Heritage Agreement Area Public Parks

Aboriginal Heritage Sites, Aboriginal Lands, Fisheries, Registered Heritage Places

EPBC Act: Actions which may have a significant impact upon World Heritage Areas, Ramsar Wetlands,

Listed Species & Communities, or Migratory spp.

Legislative Requirements

Animals • Licence for Teaching, Research or Experimentation

involving animals– SA Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985– Application to Animal Welfare Unit, DEWNR (fee $)

• Animal Ethics– Any activity involving “interaction with vertebrates (except

fish) must be approved by an AEC.• State Govt agencies, universities, etc have dedicated or joint AECs,

many are availability to external parties.

• Licence to Possess and Administer Drugs for Euthanasia (S4 Licence)

Biosecurity

• Chytrid fungus, Phytopthora, Myrtle Rust

• Crazy ants, Cryptosporidiosis, etc

• Avoid or limit movement of specimens between sites

• Follow local hygiene protocols -clean vehicles, boots, clothes and survey equipment

• Contact local agencies to be aware of local risks

Cultural Considerations

• Proclaimed Aboriginal Lands or areas owned by Indigenous communities require advanced planning and permission– sacred sites (gender and initiation considerations)– disturbance of significant landscape features– removal or disturbance of sacred plants and animals– entry permits– local communities may wish to be actively involved in

survey activities (and may ask for payment)

• Aboriginal Consultative Committees can advise best approach to take (and timeframes required)

Landholders and Local Community

• Consult after funding and permits have been secured to plan specifics of survey

• Explain aims and constraints, ask for views

• Landholder may wish to be involved in survey

• Publicise activities in local community, particularly with local rangers, Landcaregroups, etc

• Consider notifying Police

Reconnaissance Trips

• Check survey sites prior to survey beginning

• Area may have changed significantly since selection

• Fire, flood, agriculture or other disturbance may rendersite unsuitable

• Logistical challenges best identified in advance (access,etc)

Confirmation with Landholders

• Once sites and survey dates have been confirmed, all landholders and managers should be contacted to confirm arrangements

• Identify any areas to be avoided

• Ensure access (keys etc)

• Check which radiofrequencies are usedlocally

Field Equipment and Vehicles

• Ensure equipment and vehicles are suitable for conditions and provide adequate contingency

Terrain: 4WDs, radios

– Remote: Satellite phone,radios, extra fuel and water etc

– Weather: wet weather gear, extra water, mosquito protection, warm clothes, etc

Survey Specific Items

• Local maps, including general area

– Hospitals, nearest supermarket, etc

• Data collection sheets (hole punched)

• ID field guides

• Specimen containers and labels

• Photopoint markers and discs

Survey Participants

Adequate expertise and support Scientific expertise, drivers,

hazardous goods handlers, etc Ensure there is someone familiar

with the method Ensure roles are clearly identified Medical information

Volunteers Should be reimbursed for out of

pocket expenses Make it clear what costs they will

need to cover

Pre-Survey Meeting

• Ensures everyone is on the same page• Survey coordinators give overview of

methodology, location of survey site, accommodation, etc

• Collection of keys, local contacts, facilities, etc• Local issues

– Biosecurity– Cultural considerations

• Handouts– Include the above– contact information for

all participants

Transport• Appropriate vehicles

• Vehicle checklists and backup gear

– Well ahead of time and prior to departure

• Driver training

– Manual cars, 4WD, towing,heavy vehicles, etc

– Winch and radio operation

• Meeting points

Packing

• Ensure enough space for personal gear

– let participants know beforehand what they will need and how much they can bring

• Pack as much as possible ahead of time

• Pack safely

– tie down loose items

– don’t carry liquid nitrogenor formalin inside passengercompartments

Scheduled Check-Ins

• Establish regime prior to leaving

• Check in at least daily (more often in summer or if conditions are adverse)

• Base must launch rescue if three call-ins are missed (e.g. 9am, 4pm, 9am) and contact cannot be made

• Backup form of contact– radios, mobile phones,

satellite phones, locallandlines, etc

From the office you’ll always know

where your staff are..... If they’re in

possession of their spot device

ausplots training - session 2

Environment

decision framework

information type

workshoppragmatic decision

state monitoring prioritiese

downstream analysis

groupsimilar bioregions

gis analysis

australian storyuse