Historical forest survey data from Eucalyptus–Callitris forests: a valuable resource for long-term vegetation studies
Robyn K. Whipp A C , Ian D. Lunt A , Andrew Deane B and Peter G. Spooner AA Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, PO Box 789 Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
B Department of Environment and Climate Change, PO Box 1020, Dubbo NSW 2830, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: rkwhipp@gmail.com
Australian Journal of Botany 57(7) 541-555 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT09154
Submitted: 4 September 2009 Accepted: 23 October 2009 Published: 21 December 2009
Abstract
Quantitative information about historical changes in natural ecosystems is important for guiding management interventions. However, few accurate data sources are available for documenting long-term vegetation changes. In this paper, we describe a neglected source of quantitative information on historical forest structure: forest inventory strip surveys, which were widely used in eastern Australia from 1915 to the 1940s. Strip surveys provide quantitative information on the species composition, stem density, basal area, stem form and size class distributions of dominant tree species. Such information is not available from other widespread data sources. Strip surveys usually surveyed 10% of the total forest area. In this paper, we describe the original survey methods, demonstrate how to decode data-book entries, and analyse a sample dataset from the Pilliga State Forests in northern New South Wales to illustrate the information that can be obtained from this material. Strip survey data-books are poorly archived. Many books exist for Eucalyptus–Callitris forests in northern and central NSW, and additional books may exist for many other forest types in eastern Australia. Strip surveys provide a valuable data source for studying long-term vegetation changes in forest ecosystems. We urge forest managers to search for and preserve this precious archival material.
Acknowledgements
RW was supported by a post-graduate scholarship from the CRC for Plant-based Management of Dryland Salinity. Brian Kennedy (retired forester) outlined the interpretation of data books before written instructions were located. Warwick Bratby, Patrick Tap and Don Nicholson of Forests NSW gave permission for the Pilliga data to be collected and analysed, and enthusiastically answered many questions during this study. Doug Binns of Forests NSW advised on taxonomy of eucalypts in the Pilliga. Jill Turner catalogued the Lindsay and Priestman data as part of her Honours thesis, which assisted greatly. Dirk Spennemann kindly scanned the map and data-book pages. Three anonymous referees made helpful comments on the manuscript.
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