Long-term SUCCESS: Vegetation data collected in 2017 from permanent plots in the sagebrush steppe of south-central Washington state

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Bakker, Jonathan D.
Originator: Davies, Matt G.
Originator: Wainwright, Claire E.
Originator: Power, Simon C.
Publication_Date: 2021
Title:
Long-term SUCCESS: Vegetation data collected in 2017 from permanent plots in the sagebrush steppe of south-central Washington state
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0106
Description:
Abstract:
This project examined the effects of wildfires and other factors on succession and ecosystem dynamics in sagebrush steppe ecosystems of the mid-Columbia basin in Washington state. Three sets of permanent vegetation plots containing extensive historical vegetation data (1989-2010) were re-monitored in 2017. This data publication contains field data collected in 2017 on 116 permanent vegetation plots. Each plot consists of a transect and a series of quadrats along the transect. Shrubs present along the plane of the transect were measured using shrub intercept sampling. A series of quadrats was distributed along the transect. Substrates were tallied within each quadrat, vascular plant species were identified, and the abundance of each vascular plant species was estimated.
Purpose:
These data were collected as part of a Joint Fire Science Program research project (JFSP # 15-1-07-2) assessing long-term vegetation dynamics. The data can be used to directly compare plant communities across this wide geographic area in 2017. We also combined these data with historical vegetation data and records of disturbances (fire, grazing and military training), post-disturbance restoration activities (herbicide, seeding and planting of native species), and abiotic and biotic factors. The compiled data was used to 1) quantify and model controls on post-fire vegetation composition, 2) characterize vegetation dynamics, and 3) evaluate and refine quantitative state-and-transition models.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 2017
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
This study took place in south-central Washington state, USA. Our focus was the mid-Columbia Basin near the northern edge of the sagebrush steppe biome, an area that contains a number of endangered species and ecosystems.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -120.5
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -119.2
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 47.0
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 46.2
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: biota
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
Theme_Keyword: Assessments
Theme_Keyword: Monitoring
Theme_Keyword: Resource inventory
Theme_Keyword: Climate change
Theme_Keyword: Climate change effects
Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
Theme_Keyword: Plant ecology
Theme_Keyword: Fire
Theme_Keyword: Fire ecology
Theme_Keyword: Fire effects on environment
Theme_Keyword: Wildland/urban interface
Theme_Keyword: Forest & Plant Health
Theme_Keyword: Invasive species
Theme_Keyword: Rangeland plants
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resource Management & Use
Theme_Keyword: Conservation
Theme_Keyword: Range management & grazing
Theme_Keyword: Restoration
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: abiotic environment
Theme_Keyword: Artemisia tridentata
Theme_Keyword: Bromus tectorum
Theme_Keyword: livestock grazing
Theme_Keyword: military training
Theme_Keyword: sagebrush steppe
Theme_Keyword: wildfire
Theme_Keyword: permanent plots
Theme_Keyword: community ecology
Theme_Keyword: community composition
Theme_Keyword: Joint Fire Science Program
Theme_Keyword: JFSP
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Washington
Place_Keyword: Interior Columbia Basin
Place_Keyword: Arid Lands Ecology Reserve
Place_Keyword: Hanford Reach National Monument
Place_Keyword: Yakima Training Center
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Bakker, Jonathan D.; Davies, Matt G.; Wainwright, Claire E.; Power, Simon C. 2021. Long-term SUCCESS: Vegetation data collected in 2017 from permanent plots in the sagebrush steppe of south-central Washington state. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0106
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Washington
Contact_Person: Jonathan Bakker
Contact_Position: Professor, Environmental and Forest Sciences
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: Box 354115
City: Seattle
State_or_Province: WA
Postal_Code: 98195-4115
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 206-221-2864
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jbakker@uw.edu
Data_Set_Credit:
Funding for this project provided by Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP # 15-1-07-2): https://www.firescience.gov; University of Washington; and Ohio State University.


Author Information:

Bakker, Jonathan D.
University of Washington
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8973-2771

Davies, Matt G.
Ohio State University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6731-4432

Wainwright, Claire E.
University of Washington
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3248-5482

Power, Simon C.
Ohio State University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6310-0146
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Bakker, Jonathan D.
Originator: Davies, Matt G.
Originator: Wainwright, Claire E.
Originator: Power, Simon C.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Long-term SUCCESS: SUCCession and Ecosystem dynamics in the Sagebrush Steppe following wildfires
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Joint Fire Science Program Final Report
Issue_Identification: 15-1-07-2
Other_Citation_Details:
(Also included in data publication download: \Supplements\15-1-07-2_final_report.pdf).
Online_Linkage: https://www.firescience.gov/projects/15-1-07-2/project/15-1-07-2_final_report.pdf
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Data were entered on paper datasheets in field and manually entered into Excel spreadsheets. All data entry was double-checked. Plant codes assigned in field are retained in the data for backward compatibility with datasheets, but updated codes for use in analyses are also provided. Many plants that were not recognized in the field were sampled and verified against taxonomic keys.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
The data are logically consistent. The consistency was verified as part of the quality assurance that occurred during data analysis. For example, we verified that PLOTID is consistent across all tables except SUCCESS_taxa, and that all analytical species codes (USDA.code.2017) in the SUCCESS_cover and SUCCESS_shrub_intercept tables are also listed in the SUCCESS_taxa table.
Completeness_Report:
A few quadrats were missed during field work. These quadrats are not included in SUCCESS_quadrat_details but their absence is noted in the Comments for the quadrats before and after them. Shrub intercept data were only collected where shrubs were present on the transect; plots for which shrub intercept data are not reported did not contain shrubs.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
PERMANENT VEGETATION PLOTS

This study involves resampling three sets of permanent vegetation plots:
1. Biological Resource Management Plan (BRMaP; Evans & Lih 2005; Bakker et al. 2011)
2. Land Cover Trend Analysis (LCTA; Tazik et al. 1992; Jones & Kunze 2003)
3. Steppe-in-Time (SIT; Evans & Lih 2005; Bakker et al. 2011)


DATA COLLECTION - 2017

New data were collected in 2017 on a subset of the permanent vegetation plots. There are more permanent plots than we could possibly measure during a study of this magnitude, so we selected a stratified sample that spanned the range of fire history, restoration, and edaphic conditions of our plots. We also focused on the most common ecological site descriptions (ESDs). We re-monitored 116 plots. Each plot consisted of a transect nominally 100 meter (m) (BRMaP and LCTA) or 200 m (SIT) in length. Historical procedures varied among datasets, but we followed a consistent and simplified methodology in 2017. Each plot was monitored via shrub intercept sampling and by estimating cover within quadrats. Shrub intercept sampling occurred along the plane of the transect. Quadrats (20 x 50 centimeters) were distributed along the transect at 5-m spacing (BRMaP, LCTA) or 10-m spacing (SIT). In each quadrat, we identified all vascular plant species and estimated their abundances. We also estimated the abundance of substrates such as bare ground, litter, biological soil crust, and rock. This sampling strategy enables direct comparisons of vegetation across all plots in 2017, and of comparisons with historical data associated with the permanent plots. Historical abundances were often expressed as the frequency of occurrence in the quadrats of a plot. Some adjustments are required to make appropriate historical comparisons – for example, BRMaP and SIT plots were sampled with 20 quadrats historically, so some quadrats should be omitted when making these comparisons. Adjustments to correspond with the BRMaP and SIT plots are summarized in the Fires.ALE column (so named because the previous data from these plots were collected as part of the ‘Fires at ALE’ project). Adjustments to correspond with the historical LCTA data are summarized in the Historic.LCTA column.

For complete details see JFSP Final Report by Bakker et al. (2020).
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Bakker, Jonathan D.
Originator: Davies, Matt G.
Originator: Wainwright, Claire E.
Originator: Power, Simon C.
Publication_Date: 2020
Title:
Long-term SUCCESS: SUCCession and Ecosystem dynamics in the Sagebrush Steppe following wildfires
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Joint Fire Science Program Final Report
Issue_Identification: 15-1-07-2
Other_Citation_Details:
(Also included in data publication download: \Supplements\15-1-07-2_final_report.pdf).
Online_Linkage: https://www.firescience.gov/projects/15-1-07-2/project/15-1-07-2_final_report.pdf
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Evans, James R.
Originator: Lih, Marita P.
Publication_Date: 2005
Title:
Recovery and rehabilitation of vegetation on the Fitzner-Eberhardt Arid Lands Ecology Reserve, Hanford Reach National Monument, following the 24 Command Fire
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Final Report
Issue_Identification: 2001-2004
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Seattle, WA
Publisher: The Nature Conservancy
Type_of_Source_Media: Online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1992
Ending_Date: 2004
Source_Currentness_Reference:
Publication Date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Evans & Lih (2005)
Source_Contribution:
Description of plots and data associated with the BRMaP and SIT permanent plots between 1992 and 2004.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Bakker, Jonathan D.
Originator: Dunwiddie, P. W.
Originator: Hall, S. A.
Originator: Evans, James R.
Originator: Davies, G. M.
Originator: Detterweiler-Robinson, E.
Publication_Date: 2011
Title:
Vegetation impacts of recurring fires on sagebrush ecosystems in Washington: implications for conservation and rehabilitation
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Joint Fire Science Program Final Report
Issue_Identification: 08-1-5-20
Type_of_Source_Media: Online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1992
Ending_Date: 2010
Source_Currentness_Reference:
Publication Date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Bakker et al. (2011)
Source_Contribution:
Data collection on the BRMaP and SIT plots in 2009 and 2010, and analyses of vegetation change between 1992 and 2010.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Tazik, D.
Originator: Warren, S.
Originator: Diersing, V.
Originator: Shaw, R.
Originator: Brozka, R. J.
Originator: Bagley, C. F.
Originator: Whitworth, W.
Publication_Date: 1992
Title:
U.S. Army land condition-trend analysis (LCTA) plot inventory field methods
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Technical Report
Issue_Identification: N-92/03
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Champaign, IL
Publisher: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research Laboratory
Type_of_Source_Media: Online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1989
Ending_Date: 2002
Source_Currentness_Reference:
Publication Date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Tazik et al. (1992)
Source_Contribution:
Design of LCTA plots, and field methods used during historical sampling of these plots.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Jones, D. S.
Originator: Kunze, M.
Publication_Date: 2003
Title:
Land Condition-Trend Analysis (LCTA) technical report 1989-2002 Yakima Training Center, WA
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Technical Report
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Colorado State University
Type_of_Source_Media: Online
Source_Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 1989
Ending_Date: 2002
Source_Currentness_Reference:
Publication Date
Source_Citation_Abbreviation:
Jones & Kunze (2003)
Source_Contribution:
Summary of vegetation dynamics on the LCTA plots between 1989 and 2002.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
Plot locations and navigation instructions were obtained from source citations provided. GPS coordinates were verified in field and new data were collected in 2017. Additional details summarized in Bakker et al. (2020). Bakker et al. (2020) also integrated 2017 data with historical plot data and new explanatory variables in analyses of vegetation change.
Process_Date: 2020
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below you will find a list and description of the files included in this data publication.

DATA FILES (6)

1. \Data\SUCCESS_cover.csv: Comma-separated values (CSV) file containing 16,756 cover observations from the 2661 quadrats on 116 permanent vegetation plots sampled in 2017.

Variables include:
PLOTID = Unique identification code for plot
Distance = Distance of quadrat along transect (meters)
USDA.code.2017 = USDA Plants database code assigned to observation. To be used for analyses.
Percent.cov = Percent cover of this taxon in this quadrat
Plot.Dist = Unique identification code for quadrat (PLOTID, Distance)
Plot_code = Plot type (BRM = BRMAP plots; LCTA = LCTA plots; SIT = SIT plots)
Field_code = Taxon identification assigned in field. Not to be used for analyses.
Comments = Taxon comments as written on datasheet


2. \Data\SUCCESS_plot_details.csv: CSV file containing plot-level information for 116 permanent vegetation plots.

Variables include:
PLOTID = Unique identification code for plot (Plot_code, Plot_number, and (if more than one transect in plot), Transect_short)
Plot_code = Plot type (BRM = BRMAP plots; LCTA = LCTA plots; SIT = SIT plots)
Plot_number = Plot number (integer)
Transect_short = Transect name or number, within plot (X = None - only one transect in plot; E = east transect; PC# = Transect PC# for #=1-5; W = west transect)
Year_name = Year field data were collected (2017)
Month_name = 3-letter abbreviation of month in which data were collected (April, May, June)
Date = Date sampled (mm/dd/yyyy)
Observers = Abbreviations of observer(s)
Scribe = Abbreviations of data scribe(s)
Transect_photo = Transect photo number(s)
Quadrat_placement = Whether quadrat is on right (R) or left (L) of transect center line
YTC_GPS_origin? = Notes about GPS coordinates of transect origin
YTC_GPS_terminus? = Notes about GPS coordinates of transect terminus
Notes = General notes about plot / transect


3. \Data\SUCCESS_quadrat_details.csv: CSV file containing quadrat-specific information for 2661 quadrats across the 116 permanent vegetation plots.

Variables include:
PLOTID = Unique identification code for plot
Distance = Distance of quadrat along transect (meters)
Plot_code = Plot type (BRM = BRMAP plots; LCTA = LCTA plots; SIT = SIT plots)
Plot_number = Plot number (integer)
Transect_short = Transect name or number, within plot (X = None - only one transect in plot; E = east transect; PC# = Transect PC# for #=1-5; W = west transect)
Year = Year field data were collected (2017)
Comments = Quadrat-specific notes
Photo = Photo number of quadrat
Fires.ALE = Whether to include quadrat (Yes or No) when comparing 2017 data with historical data from BRMaP and SIT plots
Historic.LCTA = Whether to include quadrat (Yes or No) when comparing 2017 data with historical data from LCTA plots


4. \Data\SUCCESS_shrub_intercept.csv: CSV file containing 1,500 shrub intercept observations from the 116 permanent vegetation plots sampled in 2017. Data only shown for plots that contained shrubs.

Variables include:
PLOTID = Unique identification code for plot
Field_code = Taxon identification assigned in field. Not to be used for analyses.
USDA.code.2017 = USDA Plants database code assigned to observation. To be used for analyses. Some forbs were measured and have been set to code ‘NA’ here.
Start = Distance along transect when this plant was first encountered (meters)
End = Distance along transect when this plant was last encountered (meters)
Plant_notes = Notes about this plant
Comments = Comments as written on datasheet
Observer = Abbreviations of observer(s)
Length = total length of this plant along transect (End minus Start; meters)
Live = Whether this plant was living or not


5. \Data\SUCCESS_substrates.csv: CSV file containing abundances of various substrates in each of 2659 quadrats on 116 permanent vegetation plots sampled in 2017.

Variables include:
PLOTID = Unique identification code for plot
Distance = Distance of quadrat along transect (meters)
Plot_code = Plot type (BRM = BRMAP plots; LCTA = LCTA plots; SIT = SIT plots)
BAREGR = cover of bare ground
CRUST = cover of biological soil crust
LITTER = cover of litter
ROCK = cover of rock
DUNG = cover of dung
VEG.BASES = cover of the bases of live vegetation. Not assessed consistently.
HOLE = cover of holes (e.g., from ground-dwelling rodents)
VEG.OVERLAP = cover of vegetation that is rooted outside of but leans over quadrat. Not assessed consistently.
ROAD = cover of road
WOODEN.POST = cover of wooden posts


6. \Data\SUCCESS_taxa.csv: CSV file containing taxonomic information.

Variables include:
USDA.code.2017 = Vegetation ID. With exception of unknown codes (those starting with ‘UNK.’), these are from the USDA Plants database (USDA, NRCS 2021)
N = Tally of number of records of this taxon in SUCCESS_cover
FAMILY = Plant family
GENUS = Plant genus
SPEC = Plant species
LIFE = Plant lifeform (A = annual; P = perennial; both = annual + perennial; nan = unassigned)
ORIGIN = Plant origin (N = native; I = Introduced (non-native); both = Native + Introduced; nan = unassigned)
FORM1 = Plant growth form (F = forb; G = graminoid; S = shrub; nan = unassigned)
SYNON = Synonym for USDA.code.2017
Notes = Notes about taxa


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES (1)

1. \Supplements\15-1-07-2_final_report.pdf: Portable Document Format File containing the Joint Fire Science Final Report for JFSP Project ID 15-1-07-2: "Long-term SUCCESS: SUCCession and Ecosystem dynamics in the Sagebrush Steppe following wildfire".
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
USDA, NRCS. 2021. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 09/14/2021). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of December 2021. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2021-0106
Distribution_Liability:
Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: CSV
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-separated values files
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0106
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: PDF
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Portable Document Format file
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with 7-Zip 19.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2021-0106
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20211216
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: University of Washington
Contact_Person: Jonathan Bakker
Contact_Position: Professor, Environmental and Forest Sciences
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: Box 354115
City: Seattle
State_or_Province: WA
Postal_Code: 98195-4115
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 206-221-2864
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: jbakker@uw.edu
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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