LTERN Data Portal

Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network: Bird Point Count Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia, 2004+

Citation

Lindenmayer, D (): Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network: Bird Point Count Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia, 2004+. Long Term Ecological Research Network. http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern7.50.32/html

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Identifier
docid
ltern7.50.32
Data Creators
Individual
Professor David Lindenmayer
Position
Principal Investigator
Organization
Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Abstract

The Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network Bird Point Count Data contains transect-based bird fauna data collected annually at a subset of 81 of the 175 permanent 3 hectare plots studied by the plot network in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia. Birds are counted using repeated time-controlled (5 minute) point interval counts conducted at 0 m, 50 m and 100 m along a permanent 100 m long transect, ordinarily over November/December and usually on an annual basis (note there was no data collection in 2006, 2008, or 2015, for example). Observations are made by two different observers on two separate mornings. This is part of a much larger dataset that began in 1983, when the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network research plots commenced (but the research methods changed in 2004, which is the start year for this time series). A synopsis of related data packages which have been collected as part of the Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network’s full program is provided at http://www.ltern.org.au/index.php/ltern-plot-networks/victorian-tall-eucalypt-forest

Contacts for Questions on the Use and Interpretation of Data
Individual
Mr Lachlan McBurney
Position
Plot network contact
Organization
Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Address
Fenner School of Environment and Society
The Australian National University
Canberra. ACT 2601
Australia
Phone
voice
+61 401 124 929
Email Address
lachlan.mcburney@anu.edu.au
Individual
Mr David Blair
Position
Plot network contact
Organization
Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Address
Fenner School of Environment and Society
The Australian National University
Canberra. ACT 2601
Australia
Phone
voice
+61 3 5962 4043, +61 439 660 996
Email Address
david.blair@anu.edu.au
Individual
Professor David Lindenmayer
Position
Principal Investigator
Organization
Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Address
Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Frank Fenner Building (Building 141), Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Canberra. ACT 2601
Australia
Phone
voice
+61 2 6125 0654
Email Address
david.lindenmayer@anu.edu.au
Project Information and Data Owners
Title
Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network
Personnel
Role
Data Owner
Individual
Professor David Lindenmayer
Position
Principal Investigator
Organization
Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University
Funding

Since 2012 this project has been part of the Long Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN). This work was supported by the Australian Government’s Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Network (www.tern.org.au) – an Australian research infrastructure facility established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and Education Infrastructure Fund–Super Science Initiative through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. Other funding agencies supporting this research project for various periods include: Parks Victoria (2004-2019); Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment (2004-2005); Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (2006-2011); Thomas Foundation (2009); Australian Research Council Discovery Program DP1097170 (2010-2015); National Environmental Research Program, Environmental Decisions Hub (2011-2014); Victorian Department of Environment and Primary Industries (2014-2018); Graeme Wood Foundation (2015-2017); and National Environmental Science Program, Threatened Species Recovery Hub (2015-2020).

Methods and Sampling Information
Methods
Method Step 1
Description
Plot setup

Bird fauna data was collected at a subset of 81 of the 175 permanent 3 hectare plots studied by the plot network.

Method Step 2
Description
Bird Point Count Surveys

Birds are counted using repeated time-controlled (5min) point interval counts conducted at 0 m, 50 m and 100 m along a permanent 100 m long transect. Bird surveys are conducted annually in November/December. A subset of 81 sites is surveyed each year. The sites are surveyed by two different observers on two separate mornings. Starting at dawn, and working through until 10am–11am depending on the temperature (on hotter days the birds stop calling earlier). Each site has 3 x (five minute) counts of all the birds seen and heard during the five minute period. Species type, abundance and distance away are recorded as well as time and weather variables.

Instrument
  • Binoculars
Method Step 3
Description
Documentation

Field proformas were used.

Sampling
Study Extent Description

Each site is 3 hectares, with monitoring occurring only on the central hectare which is usually square, measuring 100 x 100 m or occasionally sites measuring 200 x 50 m where they interface gullies.

Sampling Description

Each long term monitoring site is 3 hectares.

Associated Parties
Role
Land manager
Organization
Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP)
Web Address
http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/
Role
Land manager
Organization
Melbourne Water
Web Address
http://www.melbournewater.com.au/Pages/home.aspx
Role
Land manager
Organization
Parks Victoria
Web Address
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/
Keywords and Subject Categories
Keywords
  • Avifauna
  • Birds
LTERN Monitoring Themes
  • Birds
ANZSRC-FOR
  • 0501
  • 0602
GCMD
  • Earth Science > Biological Classification > Animals/Vertebrates > Birds
Geographic Coverage
Geographic Description
Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia
Bounding Coordinates
West
145.477922 degrees
 
East
146.195374 degrees
 
North
-37.342523 degrees
 
South
-37.919069 degrees
 
Temporal Coverage
Date Begin
2004-11-30
Date End
2017-01-04
Taxonomic Coverage and Classification
Classification
  • Species
    Acanthiza lineata
  • Species
    Acanthiza pusilla
  • Species
    Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris
  • Species
    Accipiter fasciatus
  • Species
    Alisterus scapularis
  • Species
    Anas superciliosa
  • Species
    Anthochaera carunculata
  • Species
    Aquila audax
  • Species
    Ardea pacifica
  • Species
    Artamus cyanopterus
  • Species
    Artamus superciliosus
  • Species
    Cacatua galerita
  • Species
    Cacomantis flabelliformis
  • Species
    Cacomantis variolosus
  • Species
    Caligavis chrysops
  • Species
    Callocephalon fimbriatum
  • Species
    Calyptorhynchus funereus
  • Species
    Chrysococcyx basalis
  • Species
    Chrysococcyx lucidus
  • Species
    Cinclosoma punctatum
  • Species
    Cisticola exilis
  • Species
    Climacteris erythrops
  • Species
    Climacteris picumnus
  • Species
    Colluricincla harmonica
  • Species
    Coracina novaehollandiae
  • Species
    Coracina tenuirostris
  • Species
    Cormobates leucophaea
  • Species
    Corvus coronoides
  • Species
    Cracticus nigrogularis
  • Species
    Cracticus tibicen
  • Species
    Cracticus torquatus
  • Species
    Dacelo novaeguineae
  • Species
    Dicaeum hirundinaceum
  • Species
    Eopsaltria australis
  • Species
    Epthianura tricolor
  • Species
    Eurostopodus mystacalis
  • Species
    Falcunculus frontatus
  • Species
    Glossopsitta concinna
  • Species
    Grallina cyanoleuca
  • Species
    Hirundapus caudacutus
  • Species
    Hirundo neoxena
  • Species
    Leucosarcia picata
  • Species
    Lichenostomus melanops
  • Species
    Malurus cyaneus
  • Species
    Manorina melanophrys
  • Species
    Meliphaga lewinii
  • Species
    Melithreptus brevirostris
  • Species
    Melithreptus lunatus
  • Species
    Menura novaehollandiae
  • Species
    Myiagra cyanoleuca
  • Species
    Myiagra rubecula
  • Species
    Myzomela sanguinolenta
  • Species
    Neochmia temporalis
  • Species
    Nesoptilotis leucotis
  • Species
    Oriolus sagittatus
  • Species
    Pachycephala olivacea
  • Species
    Pachycephala pectoralis
  • Species
    Pachycephala rufiventris
  • Species
    Pardalotus punctatus
  • Species
    Pardalotus striatus
  • Species
    Petrochelidon ariel
  • Species
    Petrochelidon nigricans
  • Species
    Petroica boodang
  • Species
    Petroica goodenovii
  • Species
    Petroica phoenicea
  • Species
    Petroica rodinogaster
  • Species
    Petroica rosea
  • Species
    Phalacrocorax varius
  • Species
    Phaps chalcoptera
  • Species
    Phaps elegans
  • Species
    Phylidonyris pyrrhoptera
  • Species
    Platycercus elegans
  • Species
    Platycercus eximius
  • Species
    Pomatostomus superciliosus
  • Species
    Psophodes olivaceus
  • Species
    Ptilonorhynchus violaceus
  • Species
    Ptilotula fuscus
  • Species
    Pycnoptilus floccosus
  • Species
    Rhipidura albiscapa
  • Species
    Rhipidura rufifrons
  • Species
    Sericornis frontalis
  • Species
    Sericornis magnirostra
  • Species
    Strepera graculina
  • Species
    Strepera versicolor
  • Species
    Todiramphus sanctus
  • Species
    Turdus merula
  • Species
    Zoothera lunulata
  • Species
    Zosterops lateralis
Intellectual Rights, Licence and Usage Conditions

CC-BY-4_0 Special Conditions Co-authorship with the data provider (Professor David Lindenmayer) of any publication of research utilising this data is an expected outcome. The data provider requests consultation, including a summary of the proposed research and intended use before publication of research utilising this data is possible. Please note that data collected prior to 2012 is available via mediated access only. Accordingly, this package provides four data tables: two with mediated access containing all data in the time series to date, and another two with open access containing all data from 2012 onwards. Spatial coordinates for site codes are available at http://www.ltern.org.au/knb/metacat/ltern2.184/html

Data Table
lvic_bird_site_information_2004+_p861t1100.csv
Name
lvic_bird_site_information_2004+_p861t1100.csv
Description
Site Information for Bird Point Count Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, 2004+
Attribute Information
bird_visit_id
Name
bird_visit_id
Definition
Automatically generated database sequence number
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
visit_code
Name
visit_code
Definition
Visit code, which is a combination of year-site code-plot number-repeat number; note this column links site information to the corresponding bird point count data
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
survey_year
Name
survey_year
Definition
Year of survey
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
YYYY
survey_date
Name
survey_date
Definition
Date of survey
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
YYYY-MM-DD
site_code
Name
site_code
Definition
Site code is a number that uniquely identifies the observation site; the number relates to a site code marked in the field and on a GIS
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
plot_number
Name
plot_number
Definition
Plot number on the transect
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
1
0m point (actually a distance of 10m–20m along the transect)
2
50m point (a distance of 50m–60m along the transect)
3
100m point (a distance of 90m–100m along the transect)
repeat_number
Name
repeat_number
Definition
Survey replicates in a given year, usually only 1 or 2 (since each site is repeated by two observers) but occasionally 3 (if observations are doubled-up)
Measurement Type
interval
Measurement Domain
Standard Unit
number
Number Type
natural
start_time
Name
start_time
Definition
Start time of survey, if recorded; value of NA means not measured
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
hh:mm
finish_time
Name
finish_time
Definition
Finish time of survey, if recorded; value of NA means not measured. By definition, the finish time is 5 minutes after the start time, so usually the finish time is not recorded.
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
hh:mm
temperature
Name
temperature
Definition
“Temperature” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
1
cold
2
cool
3
mild
4
warm
NA
not measured
wind
Name
wind
Definition
“Wind” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
0
no wind
1
calm
2
light
3
moderate
4
windy
NA
not measured
precipitation
Name
precipitation
Definition
“Precipitation” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
0
no rain
1
mist
2
light
3
moderate
4
heavy
NA
not measured
cloud
Name
cloud
Definition
“Cloud” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
0
clear
1
scattered
2
broken
3
overcast
4
total cover
NA
not measured
Number Of Records
5331
Physical Structure Description
Object Name
lvic_bird_site_information_2004+_p861t1100.csv
Size
423351 byte
Text Format
Number of Header Lines
1
Record Delimiter
#x0A
Attribute Orientation
column
Simple Delimited
Field Delimiter
,
Distribution
Online
URL
ltern7.52.3
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=pn_vc_tall_eucalypt,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=nesp,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=lane,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=patterson,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
lvic_bird_point_counts_2004+_p861t1099.csv
Name
lvic_bird_point_counts_2004+_p861t1099.csv
Description
Bird Point Count Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, 2004+
Attribute Information
bird_data_id
Name
bird_data_id
Definition
Automatically generated database sequence number
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
visit_code
Name
visit_code
Definition
Visit code, which is a combination of year-site code-plot number-repeat number; note this column links bird point count data to the corresponding site information
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
distance
Name
distance
Definition
Distance class from survey point, plus additional category of “overhead”
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
species
Name
species
Definition
Common name of species recorded. Blank values indicate no species were detected within that particular distance class
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
scientific_name
Name
scientific_name
Definition
Scientific name of species recorded. Blank values indicate no species were detected within that particular distance class
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
abundance
Name
abundance
Definition
Count of species detected at that distance class
Measurement Type
ratio
Measurement Domain
Standard Unit
number
Number Type
whole
Number Of Records
75435
Physical Structure Description
Object Name
lvic_bird_point_counts_2004+_p861t1099.csv
Size
5765351 byte
Text Format
Number of Header Lines
1
Record Delimiter
#x0A
Attribute Orientation
column
Simple Delimited
Field Delimiter
,
Distribution
Online
URL
ltern7.56.2
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=pn_vc_tall_eucalypt,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=nesp,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=lane,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] uid=patterson,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
lvic_bird_point_counts_2012+_p861t1101.csv
Name
lvic_bird_point_counts_2012+_p861t1101.csv
Description
Bird Point Count Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, 2012+
Attribute Information
bird_data_id
Name
bird_data_id
Definition
Automatically generated database sequence number
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
visit_code
Name
visit_code
Definition
Visit code, which is a combination of year-site code-plot number-repeat number; note this column links bird point count data to the corresponding site information
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
distance
Name
distance
Definition
Distance class from survey point, plus additional category of “overhead”
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
species
Name
species
Definition
Common name of species recorded. Blank values indicate no species were detected within that particular distance class
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
scientific_name
Name
scientific_name
Definition
Scientific name of species recorded. Blank values indicate no species were detected within that particular distance class
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
abundance
Name
abundance
Definition
Count of species detected at that distance class
Measurement Type
ratio
Measurement Domain
Standard Unit
number
Number Type
whole
Number Of Records
30095
Physical Structure Description
Object Name
lvic_bird_point_counts_2012+_p861t1101.csv
Size
2291413 byte
Text Format
Number of Header Lines
1
Record Delimiter
#x0A
Attribute Orientation
column
Simple Delimited
Field Delimiter
,
Distribution
Online
URL
ltern7.57.2
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=pn_vc_tall_eucalypt,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=allusers,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
lvic_bird_site_information_2012+_p861t1102.csv
Name
lvic_bird_site_information_2012+_p861t1102.csv
Description
Site Information for Bird Point Count Survey Data, Central Highlands of Victoria, 2012+
Attribute Information
bird_visit_id
Name
bird_visit_id
Definition
Automatically generated database sequence number
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
visit_code
Name
visit_code
Definition
Visit code, which is a combination of year-site code-plot number-repeat number; note this column links site information to the corresponding bird point count data
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
survey_year
Name
survey_year
Definition
Year of survey
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
YYYY
survey_date
Name
survey_date
Definition
Date of survey
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
YYYY-MM-DD
site_code
Name
site_code
Definition
Site code is a number that uniquely identifies the observation site; the number relates to a site code marked in the field and on a GIS
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Text Domain
Definition
Character
plot_number
Name
plot_number
Definition
Plot number on the transect
Measurement Type
nominal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
1
0m point (actually a distance of 10m–20m along the transect)
2
50m point (a distance of 50m–60m along the transect)
3
100m point (a distance of 90m–100m along the transect)
repeat_number
Name
repeat_number
Definition
Survey replicates in a given year, usually only 1 or 2 (since each site is repeated by two observers) but occasionally 3 (if observations are doubled-up)
Measurement Type
interval
Measurement Domain
Standard Unit
number
Number Type
natural
start_time
Name
start_time
Definition
Start time of survey, if recorded; value of NA means not measured
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
hh:mm
finish_time
Name
finish_time
Definition
Finish time of survey, if recorded; value of NA means not measured. By definition, the finish time is 5 minutes after the start time, so usually the finish time is not recorded.
Measurement Type
dateTime
Measurement Domain
Format
hh:mm
temperature
Name
temperature
Definition
“Temperature” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
1
cold
2
cool
3
mild
4
warm
NA
not measured
wind
Name
wind
Definition
“Wind” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
0
no wind
1
calm
2
light
3
moderate
4
windy
NA
not measured
precipitation
Name
precipitation
Definition
“Precipitation” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
0
no rain
1
mist
2
light
3
moderate
4
heavy
NA
not measured
cloud
Name
cloud
Definition
“Cloud” from look-up list (subjective measure); if the value is NA then it means the variable was not measured
Measurement Type
ordinal
Measurement Domain
Enumerated Domain
Code Definition
0
clear
1
scattered
2
broken
3
overcast
4
total cover
NA
not measured
Number Of Records
2248
Physical Structure Description
Object Name
lvic_bird_site_information_2012+_p861t1102.csv
Size
180809 byte
Text Format
Number of Header Lines
1
Record Delimiter
#x0A
Attribute Orientation
column
Simple Delimited
Field Delimiter
,
Distribution
Online
URL
ltern7.58.2
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=pn_vc_tall_eucalypt,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=allusers,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
Additional Metadata Links
additionalLinks
Additional Metadata : additionalLinks
Metadata
additionalLinks
url
@name
Victorian Tall Eucalypt Forest Plot Network homepage
http://www.ltern.org.au/ltern-plot-networks/victorian-tall-eucalypt-forest
Access
Access Control
Auth System
knb
Order
allowFirst
Allow:
PermissionPrincipal
[read] public
[all] cn=submitters,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org
[read] cn=pn_vc_tall_eucalypt,o=unaffiliated,dc=ecoinformatics,dc=org