The Multi-Scale Plot Network

The former Multi-Scale Plot Network (MSPN) described the rate, magnitude and direction of change in Australian ecosystems more comprehensively than ever before. The MSPN also facilitated collaboration across the ecosystem science community, creating a network of ecosystem researchers that worked openly and collaboratively rather than in isolation on individual programs.
Based at the University of Adelaide, MSPN was the largest TERN Facility and was comprised of five sub-facilities:

• AusPlots Rangelands
• AusPlots Forests
• the Australian Transect Network (ATN)
• the Long-Term Ecological Research Network (LTERN)
• the Australian Supersite Network (ASN).

While collecting complementary data, each MSPN sub-facility addressed a different aspect of ecosystem research and collected data at different spatial, temporal and information scales. The synthesis and integration of these data across the MSPN as a whole allowed us to address novel ecosystem questions, and meet policy and management needs.

The MSPN’s ‘hard’ infrastructure consisted of plot networks, incorporating existing research sites and newly established sites. It’s ‘soft’ infrastructure includes the development of Citizen Science apps and standard methodologies for wide implementation. A key component of MSPN’s work included facilitating the free and open access of data through the TERN ÆKOS system and the ASN data portal. This facilitation of data sharing represents a fundamental shift in the way ecosystem science has been conducted to date, and is consistent with the whole-of-TERN approach to data sharing and collaboration.

For particular ecosystems or communities MPSN addressed the following research needs:

• Assessing current patterns in distribution and abundance of species
• Identifying the direction, rate and magnitude of change, and the key processes that drive change
• Identifying the most effective methods to measure and monitor change
• Investigating how ecosystems or communities may respond to current and future threats, and how these threats can be modulated through alternative management strategies
• Investigating the capacity of Australian biota to adapt to environmental change through a combination of evolution, plasticity and movement

Components of the Multi-Scale Plot Network

Update - Life after the MSPN

In 2013 the five sub-facilities that previously made up the MSPN evolved to become four stand-alone TERN facilities.  The 2017 TERN was transitioned away from a set of individual facilities to a more integrated structure that places more importance on the way in which data, derived from our local, regional and continental scale capabilities, are integrated and made more accessible for your research on variation and change of terrestrial ecosystems in Australia. 

More details on the 2017 TERN transition here.

More information on TERN current structure here.

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