Victorian Alpine Plot Network (Phenology Studies): Vegetation – Phenology Transect, South-east Highlands, Australia, 2011-2014

Plot set-up Transects were established as a natural experiment - to provide infrastructure to validate the findings from the ATEX manipulated, experimental plots. The aim is to describe the phenological responses of alpine plants to environmental variables and assess the usefulness of this measure to assess vulnerability to changing abiotic (e.g. climate) and biotic (e.g. invasive species) factors. The Victorian Alpine Plot Network research plots commenced in 1996 and were revisited annually for 3 years and then on a decadal basis. These new transects were established in November 2011 to cover a range of elevations. On the Bogong High Plains one set of six transects runs from Buckety Plain to Mt Nelse and another set of plots from Wild Horse Creek to Mt Nelse, with the Mt Nelse point common to both sets. Five sampling transects were also established at Mount Hotham. There are 18 transects in total, which range in altitude from 1400 m to 1880 m. At each site a permanent transect has been established with a geo-located red gum peg marking the start. Transects are sampled on the same dates, three times a year: early season (Bogong High Plains 10-13 November, Hotham 15 November), mid-season (BHPs 17-20 December, Hotham 22 December) and late season (BHPs 18-22 February, Hotham 24 February).

Data Collection Sampling area within transect: A 30 m tape is run from the red gum peg with the temperature sensors in the direction given in Table 1. Each transect is a minimum of 10 m and is mostly be run out to 30 m. Species are recorded along the tape and where necessary within 1 m each side of the tape. If a larger search area is required we continue beyond 30 m and a greater distance either side of the tape. The search area is variable in area so that each species on the data sheet is located, and to ensure that sufficient numbers of individuals are sampled at each site to estimate flowering time. Phenological traits are recorded, including but not limited to the following: 1) Bud - Appearance of first floral bud or inflorescence 2) Bud open - When the bud has just opened; usually one can see the petals 3) Flower open - When the flower is open but less than 50% of anthers are showing or less than 50% of the ray florets have opened 4) First flower - When the first flower has opened on a shrub 5) Flowering under 50% - When less than 50% of the buds on a shrub have opened and are flowering 6) Last flowers - When only a handful of flowers are left on a shrub 7) Last petal - When all petals have dropped and the flower has finished flowering 8) Seed mature - When the first seed has matured 9) Seed mature under 50% - When less than 50% of the seeds on a shrub have matured 10) Seed dropped - When the seed has dropped. Mainly for Pimelea alpina because it is hard to tell if it has aborted or dropped all its seed

Taxonomy This package uses the following synonyms: 1) Craspedia coolaminica for Craspedia gracilis 2) Craspedia jamesii for Craspedia aurantia var. jamesii 3) Erigeron bellidioides for Pappochroma bellidioides 4) Erigeron nitidus for Pappochroma nitidum 5) Euchiton fordianus for Argyrotegium fordianum