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

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.
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.