In 2004 U.S. Geological Survey biologists recorded vegetation and biological soil crust (BSC) cover by species as well as measured soil stability and compaction data along 85 transects at the Badger Wash study area, approximately 10 miles northwest of Mack in western Colorado. Soil samples were collected and processed for chemistry and texture. Using analysis of variance and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) we assessed the cover of vegetation and BSC both grouped by plant physiognomy and dynamic soil properties (soil chemistry/nutrients and stability and compaction) as influenced by the effects of grazing history and soil group (which varied by slope, topographic wetness index and soil properties). Vegetation and BSC cover data were also compared to plant cover measurements collected in the same experimental watersheds by Lusby et al. in 1953, 1963, and 1972. Data used for all these analyses are contained within this data file. These data were compiled to accompany the publication “Insights from Long-term Ungrazed and Grazed Watersheds in a Salt Desert Colorado Plateau Ecosystem (Larger Work Citation).

These data were compiled to assess the status and trends of riparian plant communities along the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead, AZ. Three metrics have been proposed to evaluate the "Riparian Vegetation" goal identified in the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program's Long Term Experimental and Management Plan (U.S. Department of Interior, 2016). The three metrics are total living plant cover, the proportion of living cover composed of native species, and native species richness. Current policies for Glen Canyon Dam operations result in three longitudinal bands within the riparian area that are flooded at different frequencies. The band, or hydrologic zone, that is most frequently inundated is referred to here as the “active channel” or “AC.” This includes all areas inundated by releases up to 25,000 cubic feet per second (707 m3/s). The “active floodplain” or “AF” is inundated by high flow experiments and includes areas that are inundated by releases between 25,000 cubic feet per second and 45,000 cubic feet per second (1,274 m3/s). The “inactive floodplain” or “IF” is the area along the river that is inundated by releases over 45,000 cubic feet per second, which is not planned under current policies. The metrics are assessed for each of these hydrologic zones. Data from the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center's riparian vegetation monitoring protocol (Palmquist and others, 2018) can be used to evaluate these metrics, which is what is provided here. In short, 80-100 sample sites are randomly selected each year. These sites include debris fans, eddy sandbars, and channel margins. At each randomly selected sample site, ocular cover estimates of each plant species occurring in 1-m2 quadrats spanning the hydrological zones are recorded, along with an estimate of total living plant cover and associated environmental variables. The first metric, total living plant cover, consists of two pieces of data; plant occurrence (a plant is present in the sample frame) and plant cover (proportion of the sample frame covered with living plants). Cover is represented by both an ordinal cover class (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) and the midpoint of the cover class value (0.01%, 0.5%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, etc). The proportion of native cover is the sum total of native plant cover divided by the sum total of plant cover (native plus nonnative cover) for a sample frame. Native plant richness is the total number of native species rooted inside a sample frame. The total living plant cover data are available for 2016 through 2023. The native cover and richness data are available for 2014 and 2016 through 2023.

These data were collected to evaluate the cover and composition of native and nonnative vascular plant species within the riparian zone of the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to the historic high-water line of Lake Mead, approximately 240 river miles downstream of Lees Ferry. The overall objective of the ongoing study these data were collected for is to determine how plant cover and composition change over time in response to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam. This includes evaluating how plants respond to climate and other environmental factors, so that the effects of Glen Canyon Dam can be determined. These data represent 36 of the most common plant species observed in sample frames, estimates of how much aerial cover those plants have, and estimates of environmental variables associated with the sample frames. These data were collected from the riparian zone along the Colorado River between Lees Ferry, AZ and the confluence of the Colorado River and Diamond Creek, AZ. Data were collected in August and September for the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. These data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center riparian plant program. These data are a combination of field observations and data downloaded from other sources. These data can be used to understand the general distributions of the 36 plant species in the study area at a given time and their change in cover and composition over time. These data are particularly suited to determine the environmental variables that are most related to the cover and occurrence of these 36 plant species.

These data were collected to evaluate the cover and composition of native and nonnative vascular plant species within the riparian zone of the Colorado River from Glen Canyon Dam to the historic high-water line of Lake Mead, approximately 240 river miles downstream of Lees Ferry. The overall objective of the ongoing study these data were collected for is to determine how plant cover and composition change over time in response to the operation of Glen Canyon Dam. This includes evaluating how plants respond to climate and other environmental factors, so that the effects of Glen Canyon Dam can be determined. These data represent 36 of the most common plant species observed in sample frames, estimates of how much aerial cover those plants have, and estimates of environmental variables associated with the sample frames. These data were collected from the riparian zone along the Colorado River between Lees Ferry, AZ and the confluence of the Colorado River and Diamond Creek, AZ. Data were collected in August and September for the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. These data were collected by the U.S. Geological Survey Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center riparian plant program. These data are a combination of field observations and data downloaded from other sources. These data can be used to understand the general distributions of the 36 plant species in the study area at a given time and their change in cover and composition over time. These data are particularly suited to determine the environmental variables that are most related to the cover and occurrence of these 36 plant species.

Sixty-eight monitoring plots within the Browns Park National Wildlife refuge in Northwest Colorado were surveyed in the Summer of 2007 and 2021 for vegetation-community changes after grazing cessation in 1986. Surveys consisted of line-point intercept measurements at 0.5m intervals along three 15-m transects arranged in a spoke around plot center at each plot location.

Sixty-eight monitoring plots within the Browns Park National Wildlife refuge in Northwest Colorado were surveyed in the Summer of 2007 and 2021 for vegetation-community changes after grazing cessation in 1986. Surveys consisted of line-point intercept measurements at 0.5m intervals along three 15-m transects arranged in a spoke around plot center at each plot location.

These data were collected as part of a methodological comparison for collecting riparian vegetation data. Two common methods for collecting vegetation data were used: line-point intercept and 1m2 ocular quadrats (visual cover estimates). At each site and transect, both methods were used to collect cover and composition data by four different observers. The same transects and quadrats were utilized for both methods and all observers. Field data collected included percent cover for total living foliar cover, each plant species encountered, litter, dead plant material that is still standing, and ground cover features (biological soil crust, rock, sand, and fine soil particles). Line-point intercept data were collected at 25 cm intervals along each transect and at four points along the edge of each 1m2 quadrat. Since transects varied in length, the number of data points collected along each transect also varied. A pin flag was dropped vertically to the ground at 25 cm intervals and every plant species and ground cover element that touched the pin flag was recorded in the order it touched the pin flag from top to bottom, including any species that would touch the pin flag if it continued upward indefinitely. Each species was only recorded once at each point. Ocular quadrat data were collected at each of the 1 m2 quadrats. Cover estimates were recorded to the nearest 5% other than those estimates under 5% which were recorded as either 1% or “trace”. Observers calibrated their ocular estimates at the beginning of sampling and when a new observer started sampling. Observers were given reference cards illustrating multiple levels of percent cover (1 – 95%), which were used during calibration and throughout data collection. Five observers with three levels of experience participated in this study. Two observers had extensive experience with identification of plant species in the study area, as well as with the methods used. One observer was familiar with the methods as well as riparian plant identification, but had not previously worked in this study area. Two observers had not worked in this system or with these methods before, but had experience conducting vegetation surveys. All observers received on-site training. At each site, four observers sampled the entire site using both field methods.

These data were collected as part of a methodological comparison for collecting riparian vegetation data. Two common methods for collecting vegetation data were used: line-point intercept and 1m2 ocular quadrats (visual cover estimates). At each site and transect, both methods were used to collect cover and composition data by four different observers. The same transects and quadrats were utilized for both methods and all observers. Field data collected included percent cover for total living foliar cover, each plant species encountered, litter, dead plant material that is still standing, and ground cover features (biological soil crust, rock, sand, and fine soil particles). Line-point intercept data were collected at 25 cm intervals along each transect and at four points along the edge of each 1m2 quadrat. Since transects varied in length, the number of data points collected along each transect also varied. A pin flag was dropped vertically to the ground at 25 cm intervals and every plant species and ground cover element that touched the pin flag was recorded in the order it touched the pin flag from top to bottom, including any species that would touch the pin flag if it continued upward indefinitely. Each species was only recorded once at each point. Ocular quadrat data were collected at each of the 1 m2 quadrats. Cover estimates were recorded to the nearest 5% other than those estimates under 5% which were recorded as either 1% or “trace”. Observers calibrated their ocular estimates at the beginning of sampling and when a new observer started sampling. Observers were given reference cards illustrating multiple levels of percent cover (1 – 95%), which were used during calibration and throughout data collection. Five observers with three levels of experience participated in this study. Two observers had extensive experience with identification of plant species in the study area, as well as with the methods used. One observer was familiar with the methods as well as riparian plant identification, but had not previously worked in this study area. Two observers had not worked in this system or with these methods before, but had experience conducting vegetation surveys. All observers received on-site training. At each site, four observers sampled the entire site using both field methods.