Grassland aboveground biomass, composition, and chemistry from multiple sites and years in Yellowstone National Park

Abstract

This data set includes measurements of aboveground plant biomass (in grams per square meter), percent alive and dead, composition (percent graminoid [grasses, sedges, rushes] and non-graminoid [other monocots, dicots]), and carbon and nitrogen content (in parts per million) of aboveground biomass collected during three studies (1988 and 1989; 1999–2001; 2012–2014) at grasslands grazed by herds of elk (Cervus canadensis), bison (Bison bison), and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in Yellowstone National Park. A total of 25 different grasslands were sampled during the studies. At each grassland, measurements were made outside and inside small (1.5 × 1.5 m) temporary exclosures moved approximately monthly throughout each growing season to determine ungulate consumption and aboveground production. Plant data were also gathered at a subsample of 13 of the grasslands inside permanent exclosures erected during the summer before each study. Monthly aboveground plant P content (in parts per million) is also provided at six sites in 2013 and 2014. Location (latitude, longitude), elevation, and 0 to 10 cm total soil C and N are included for all the sites. There are no copyright or proprietary restrictions on the data; please cite this data paper when using the data in other works.