Vegetation cover and composition data in environments surrounding uranium mines in the Grand Canyon ecosystem, USA

This data package contains the final combined field sampling data collected by the USGS July 2013 and July-August 2015 at three active uranium mines (Canyon Rim Mine, Pinenut Mine, and Arizona 1 Mine) as well as two reference sites (Little Robinson Tank and EZ2 Pipe) in northwestern Arizona. Vegetation and soils were assessed by using line-point intersect (LPI) methods and estimates of plant species richness. In addition, triplicate tissue samples for three functional groups (graminoids, forbs, and shrubs) were collected at plots around each site to be analyzed for tissue contaminant concentrations. There are three separate shapefiles depicting A) Point locations for the mine study sites (the center of the mine or reference site being surveyed), B) Polygons representing sampling plots that were established at each mine study site, and C) A polyline shapefile showing locations of the transects used for collecting data within plots. Plots were arranged in two concentric rings surrounding the central disturbed portion of the study area (e.g. the mine footprint). Final transect start and stop points were recorded in the field using a hand-held Garmin global positioning system receiver. Sites, plot boundaries, and transect locations were established between 2013 and 2015. These data are to be used for publications based on the impacts of uranium mining on the Arizona Strip.