- The document outlines the agenda and topics to be covered in Training Session 5 of the AusPlots program, including soils characterization, sampling and bulk density measurement, use of the LAI meter, integration with SLATS transects, and an overview of the AusPlots mobile application. - Participants will be split into three groups to rotate through practical sessions covering soils, vegetation sampling, and technology over three days at different field sites. - The week will conclude with presentations and discussions to reinforce the standard AusPlots field sampling methods.

1. Training Session 5
–Almost There!
Topics to cover:
Soils –Plot Description
Soils –Characterisation to 1m+
Soils –9 x 30 cm samples
Soils –Bulk density
Soils –Sample collection
Leaf Area Index Meter (LAI)
SLATS integration
The App (FDCA)
What’s in store for the week
Summary of the Day

2. MethodSoils: Plot Description

3. Plot Description
•Plot name
•Plot location –SW corner marker
•Erosion
•Micro relief
•Drainage
•Disturbance
•Surface condition
•Other optional measures if a soil scientist available –covered in the field section

4. ¢
¢
¢
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Soil core to 30cm
1 m core/pit
outside, but adjacent to quadrat
5 samples in the primary soil individual (25 x 25m quadrat in SW corner)
4 other samples throughout the bigger quadrat

5. MethodSoils: Characterisationto 1 m

6. Two Options
•Pit or auger
•Advantages and disadvantages to both
•Pit can see profile
•Auger easier –If no experienced soil scientist there is little benefit from a pit
•Pit can see layers

7. Either way you will lay out your soil samples for characterisation
Record –why stopped
Type of observation
Take a photo of the pit if dug
Record depths
Identify horizons
Samples discussed later

8. PhotoColour chartHorizon identificationSoil texturing

9. •Optional collections available if a soil scientist present – Detailed in the manual
•At least 500 gmscollected in a plastic bag for each 10 cm increment through the profile (eg. 0-10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-40 etc.
•If experienced can identify horizons and collect within these
•Sample increased if significant amount of coarse fragments

10. MethodSoils: Observations (9 x 30cm samples)

11. •9 samples collected throughout the quadrat
•5 in the primary soil individual
•4 throughout the rest of the quadrat
•In both cases aim to sample from the variety of cover / terrain options available.
•Samples collected, bagged and labelled
•At least 500 gmsfrom 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30cm unless stopped
•GPS each location
•3 samples x 9 locations per site should be placed in a larger bag and labelled for that site

12. Dig shallow pits for the 9 samples
Take samples at 10 cm increments
Store samples in bags

13. MethodSoils: Bulk Density Measures

14. •Bulk density essential to convert any soil measures to volume
•Precision required for accuracy
•Start by clearing veg from a small area
•Done at 3 depths

15. 1.Remove the plastic caps from a stainless steel ring
2.Place the tanner sampler on flat ground –Push the feet in gently until the whole bottom surface is flush with the ground
3.Load the stainless steel ring
4.Place the top of the sampler in the top of the tube to rest on the stainless steel ring
5.Hit this with a rubber mallet until it is flush with the top of the device
6.Remove all of the device leaving the ring in the ground.

16. Either...
•trim around the ring enough to place a cap on it
Insert a trowel well below the cylinder and remove it with excess soil -none of the soil in the cylinder can be disturbed

17. Or....
•Dig around the cylinder carefully
•Place the trowel a little under the cylinder and prise it out of the soil with excess
•The soil in the ring cannot be disturbed

18. Carefully trim excess soil from the edge of the cylinder –this surface must be flush –this can take some time to do well
Once one surface is complete, cap that end, turn the cylinder over and repeat for the other side
Tape the two caps and the ring together well
Clearly label and transport to a drying oven

19. MethodSoils: Sample Collection

20. At the end of the site you should have....
•1 large calico bag containing 9 snaplockbags containing 9 calico bags with silica for metagenomicsamples
•1 large plastic bag with 9 medium calico bags each containing x 3 x 500 gmssnaplockbags with soil samples (from 9 distributed sites)
•1 large plastic bag with 10 x 500gms snaplockbag soil samples from the pit or core
•1 medium calico bad with 3 x bulk density rings in it
•ALL CLEARLY LABELED!

21. MethodUsing the LAI

22. LAI Measurements
•AusCoverdesire to validate LAI and FPC products
•FPC validated by point intercept
•LAI can be validated by Hemispherical Photography or LAI2200
•Hemispherical Photography
-Potentially more accurate
-Harder to set up in the field
-Lowest height about 40-50 cm above ground level
-Harder to process in the office –more work
-Harder to get high number of samples
-Larger volume of data

23. LAI 2200
–Operates closer to the ground –more appropriate for Rangelands
–Easy to take a high number of samples
–Instant processing –no work later
–Easy to use for non experts to use in the field
–Much quicker to use
LAI 2200 seen as best outcome considering the needs of both AusCover (data) and AusPlots (speed and ease of use)

24. LAI 2200
•Need to avoid direct sunlight
–diffuse light
–constant cloud
–dawn or dusk
•Need above/clear sky reference fairly regularly (issue in really high canopy areas)
•Recent field trip collected data to inform of optimal sampling strategy
•Not operationally useful for chenopods
–(re: number of samples)

25. The device will come pre-set up –There will be no need to connect the “wand” to the console.
You will only need to use the “wand”.
Remove it from the Pelican case. The manual will be in the case but we ask that you follow the AusPlots manual in the first instance, and then attempt calling AusPlots staff before you use the manual or change any settings. The device is significantly more complex than our application.
We have simplified its operation to make it easier to use in the field.

26. The Sensor head and fitting the lens cover

27. Taking an “above” Reference
–Note the overcast sky
The wand set up for logging points and an above reference
Before

28. During
After

30. Method SLATS/LandcoverIntegration
S1
NE
N5
N4
N3
N2
N1
NW
W5
W4
W3
W2
W1
SW
S2
S3
S4
S5
SE
E1
E2
E3
E4
E5

31. The use of AusPlots data for remote sensing validation
•Method designed to provide RS compatible data
•Data from 1000 point intercepts can be easily be converted to compatible form.
•Well defined, homogeneous 1ha square that is aligned to the grid assists with validation activities.
•Field data can be used to determine vegetation mapping communities, and the plot areas used for supervised classification techniques.
•LAI information fed back to AusCoverto validate their RS products.

32. The use of AusPlotsdata for remote sensing validation
•Collaboration with AusCoverregarding field methods
–will use our data to validate many of their products
–LAI Meter, Cover Measures etc
–potential for spectrometer/operator to join in some of our field trips –“Tag along tour” concept
•Data particularly useful for validating cover products....

33. Comparison with the SLATS star Transects
Collected for different purposes
SLATS
–for RS validation of land cover products
–Slats method is well refined for that purpose
AusPlots
–to provide data to inform a wide range of ecological research along with providing data for a wide range of remote sensing purposes
–AusPlots well designed for maximum widespread utility of data
–Can be summarised into SLATS form –now automated

34. 1
05/11/13, Andrew Tokmakoff
AusPlots System Architecture
ATechnicalOverview

35. 2
Objectives
✤To understand:
✤the AusPlots system architectureand its key functions.
✤the AusPlots Field App’s purpose.
✤how AusPlots data is collectedand handled.
✤the technical pathwe have taken.

36. SystemArchitecture
36
cron
InternetDataUpload
Apache/PHP
Field App
Web-based Admin Interface
(Cloud) SWARM Server

37. 5
Field App: what is it, and who is it for?
✤It’s an (Android) mobile application that electronically collects field data according to the AusPlots data collection specification.
✤Who wants it? Anyone (i.e. ecological scientists and assistants) who:
✤collects, manages and shares AusPlots field data
✤wants to minimise data entry errors and transcription effort
✤wants the data to be automatically archived for easy use later on.

38. Field App: Plot Creation
38

39. Field App: Site Description
39

40. Field App: Veg. Vouchering
40

41. Field App: Point Intercept
41

42. Field App: Basal Wedge
42

43. Field App: Structural Summary
43

44. Field App: Plot Upload
44

45. Data Management: Curation
48
Field App
Web-based Admin Interface
cron
REST/ JSON
Apache/PHP
(Cloud) SWARM Server
✤Apache/PHP web “site” provides a User Interfacefor data curation.
✤Allows “cleaning” of data and entry of new items such as herbarium determinations.

46. ✤SWARM data is exported to external services
✤Soils 2 Satellites offers visualisation
✤(e.g. for land managers, consultants)
✤aekos offers raw data access, data enrichment and search
✤(e.g. for ecological scientists)
Publishing: 3rd parties
49
Field App
cron
REST/ JSON
(Cloud) SWARM Server

47. Summary
✤The AusPlots Field Data Collection App (FDCA) has been used to collect field data from over 100 (of 300) plots
✤It has been developed iteratively, based upon experience from field use
✤The AusPlots solution can be readily applied toany sites which are sampled using the Protocols
✤‘Clean’ data is created by tablet
✤Data is uploaded from tablet to cloud-based server (SWARM)
✤SWARM provides facilities for data handling, curation and preservation
50

48. How to get Further Info
http://www.tern.org.au/AusPlots-pg26979.html
Product / Service
Description
For more information
Accepted method
The AusPlotsRangelands Survey Protocols Manualprovides a simple agreed method for anyone undertaking research or monitoring in the rangelands. Developed in collaboration with all of the rangelands' jurisdiction the method is the first nationally agreed and consistent method for rangelands monitoring. It is freely available, and is supported by a field app that streamlines data entry and download processes. In 2014 AusPlotswill release further protocols so keep an eye on this website for updates.
The AusPlotsForests Survey Protocols Manualoutlines the field methodology for AusPlotsForests. The background and rationale of the project and details of bioregional stratification and site selection will be outlined in a separate document. This version of the manual (v1.0) details the methodology for (a) the installation of plot infrastructure, (b) the description of the site and (c) the core measurements that form the minimum dataset for AusPlotsForests plots. This draft edition is provided as an online resource and material from the document or its attachments should not be republished without written consent. If you have any feedback on this draft version please contact Dr Sam Wood.
Click hereto view or download the AusPlotsRangelands Survey Protocols Manual
Click hereto view or download theAusPlotsForests Survey Protocols Manual
Data
AusPlots data is available via TERN'sSoils to Satellitesand AEKOSData Portal. As at March 2014 data from approximately 130 sites is available, with more being added regularly as herbarium identifications are received. The program has collect >430 plots to date.
AusPlotssite locations can be downloaded here(.kmlfile)
Soils to Satellites
AEKOS Data Portal
Contact Andrew Tokmakoff
Samples
Soil and plant samples collected by AusPlots are contributed to the CSIRO National Soil Archiveand regional herbaria, with some samples stored at the AusPlots facility. These samples are available for further use by researchers. Traditional soil samples, soil metagenomicsamples, vegetation voucher samples and vegetation genetic and isotope samples may all be available for use.
For more information on applying to access and use these samples, please contact Ian Fox

49. •PPT on NERP and the future of the AusPlots program
•Refer to Poster

50. PracticalWhat is in store for the rest of the week?

51. Practical components conducted in three groups
spend a day in each group
The Dirt Group
With Rick and Christina
•all soils components
The Veg Group
Emrys and Finn
•all vouchering and veg sampling
•structural summary
•point intercept
•all general site info
The Tech Group
With Ben + Andrew and Sally
•GPS
•App (FDCA)
•photo-points
•basal wedge
•LAI
•point intercept

52. Structure of each Day
7:00 amBreakfast
7:20 amSummary of day
8:00 amLeave homestead
8:30 amArrive at field sites
10:30 amMorning tea
11:00 am Field training
12:30 amLunch on site
1:15 pmField training
3:00 pmArvo tea
3:30 pmField training
5:30 pmReturn to Homestead
6:00pmFree time
7:00 pmDinner
7:45 pmAfter dinner presentation / discussion
8:00 pm +Free time/ informal discussions on method

53. Groups
Group A
Group B
Group C
AshleighBurke
Danielle Allen
Jason Boxall
Wendy Thompson
Jane Bradley
Wendy Warren
Katy Wilkins
Pete Lyon
Darren Hocking
Jeremiah Msigwa
Henrique FurstenauTogashi
ErnestDunwoody
JockDuncan
Helene Aubault
LaurieTait
MarkTrower
Sarah Thorne
Camilla Osborn
Karen Rusten
Matt Humphrey
Lance Maddock
Erika Lawley

54. Group A
GroupB
GroupC
Ashleigh, WendyT, Katy, Jeremiah, Jock, Mark, Karen, Erika (8)
Danielle,Jane, Pete, Henrique, Helene, Sarah, Matt (7)
Jason, WendyW, Darren, Ernest, Laurie, Camilla, Lance (7)
Monday
Veg
Dirt
Tech
@ Site 1
@ Site 2
@ Site 3
Tuesday
Tech
Veg
Dirt
@ Site 2
@ Site 3
@ Site 1
Wednesday
Dirt
Tech
Veg
@ Site 3
@ Site 1
@ Site 2

55. Today –5 Theory Sessions
Session 1 Context
Session 2 Stratification, data uses, manual, permissions
Session 3 Plot layout, site info, point intercept, basal wedge, structural summary
Session 4 Vouchering, fauna, photo-points
Session 5 Soils, LAI, Slats, the app

56. Summary