Plant taxa in C3 and Marsh Creek experimental blocks, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Michigan, 2006-2010

Plant data were collected on 16, 1-ha experimental blocks in C3 and Marsh Creek units of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, 2006-2010. The percent cover of each plant taxon, moss as a group, and open area was recorded sing a modified line-intercept method for each of 25 sampling points within a block. Sampling points were equidistantly spaced, with 5 points spaced 25 m apart along each of 5 transects also spaced 25 m apart within each sampling block. Within each unit, we selected 4 pairs of blocks representing sedge-shrub habitat, with one of the pair assigned to spring burning (C3, May 2008) or summer burning (Marsh Creek, 2007 and 2008). This before-after-control-impact design provided for data collection two growing seasons before the burn (2006, all 16 blocks; 2007, 15 blocks) and two-three growing seasons (2008, 2009, and 2010; 14 blocks) after burning; the unburned plot of each pair served as the control, and the burned plot of each pair the treatment. Taxa were identified to species where possible,but some taxa were identified only to genus, and some species were merged for analyses because of challenges separating similar species. These data were used in conjunction with environmental data within each block to examine the effects burning on the plant community.