We present repeated stem measurement data from 20, 0.5 ha (100 m x 50 m) permanent rainforest plots in northern Queensland, Australia from 1971 to 2013. The plots have a rainfall range of 1200 to 3500 mm, represent eleven vegetation types, six parent materials, and range from 15 m to 1200 m above sea level. Except for minor disturbances associated with selective logging on two plots, the plots were established in old growth forest and all plots have thereafter been protected. Plots were regularly censused and at each census the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all stems ≥10 cm DBH were recorded. Data is presented for 10998 individual stems with plot stem densities at establishment ranging from 476 to 1104 stems ha-1. Due to the wide geographical range of the plots, no species dominate, although the families Lauraceae, Rutaceae and Myrtaceae contribute a large number of species. Basal area values at establishment ranged from 28.6 to 63.3 m2 ha-1 and showed no trend of increasing or decreasing over time due mainly to regular disturbance and recovery from natural events such as cyclones. In addition to stems ≥10 cm DBH data, we present height data, floristic data from understory stems (≥50 cm height to <10 cm DBH), an auxiliary species list (including vines, epiphytes, ferns, grasses, herbs and other life forms), and a list of voucher specimens lodged in herbaria. The data collected from the 20 plots provides an insight into the floristics, structure and long term forest dynamics of Australian tropical rainforests and allows direct comparisons to be made with long-term monitoring plots at a global scale.
We present repeated stem measurement data from 20, 0.5 ha (100 m x 50 m) permanent rainforest plots in northern Queensland, Australia from 1971 to 2013. The plots have a rainfall range of 1200 to 3500 mm, represent eleven vegetation types, six parent materials, and range from 15 m to 1200 m above sea level. Except for minor disturbances associated with selective logging on two plots, the plots were established in old growth forest and all plots have thereafter been protected. Plots were regularly censused and at each census the diameter at breast height (DBH) of all stems ≥10 cm DBH were recorded. Data is presented for 10998 individual stems with plot stem densities at establishment ranging from 476 to 1104 stems ha-1. Due to the wide geographical range of the plots, no species dominate, although the families Lauraceae, Rutaceae and Myrtaceae contribute a large number of species. Basal area values at establishment ranged from 28.6 to 63.3 m2 ha-1 and showed no trend of increasing or decreasing over time due mainly to regular disturbance and recovery from natural events such as cyclones. In addition to stems ≥10 cm DBH data, we present height data, floristic data from understory stems (≥50 cm height to <10 cm DBH), an auxiliary species list (including vines, epiphytes, ferns, grasses, herbs and other life forms), and a list of voucher specimens lodged in herbaria. The data collected from the 20 plots provides an insight into the floristics, structure and long term forest dynamics of Australian tropical rainforests and allows direct comparisons to be made with long-term monitoring plots at a global scale.