Azorella Dieback Quadrat Surveys on Macquarie Island 2008-2012

Quadrats of Azorella macquariensis health data were collected across four summer seasons from 2008 to 2012 on Macquarie Island. The dataset includes proportions of healthy versus dead or dying plants within 5m x 5m plots, with some years also containing moss health data. Data was collected by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre and is stored in an Excel workbook with yearly worksheets, accompanied by site photographs.

Use Cases

• Analyze temporal trends in Azorella health proportions across the 2008-2012 period.
• Correlate moss health data with Azorella dieback metrics where available.
• Geospatial analysis of dieback severity using site codes and associated photographs for visual context.
• Model the progression of plant dieback using repeated annual measurements from fixed quadrat locations.

Strengths

• Four consecutive years of seasonal data collection (2008-2012).
• Combines quantitative quadrat data with supporting site photographs.

Limitations

• Specific sample size (number of quadrats or rows) is not provided.
• Data format is an Excel workbook, which may require conversion for programmatic analysis.
• Moss health data is not available for all years, creating incomplete time series.

Provenance

Source

Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AU_AADC) via NASA Earthdata.

Collection Method

Field surveys of 5m x 5m quadrats, with photographic documentation.

Time Range

2008-09 to 2011-12 summer seasons.

Freshness

Data collection concluded in 2012.

Geography

Macquarie Island, a subantarctic island.