Riparian vegetation data downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, AZ from 2014 to 2019
Data for USGS-Open File Report: Assessment of riparian vegetation patterns and change downstream of Glen Canyon Dam from 2014 to 2019
Dates
Publication Date
2022-08-10
Start Date
2014
End Date
2019
Citation
Palmquist, E.C., Butterfield, B.J., and Ralston, B.E., 2022, Riparian vegetation data downstream of Glen Canyon Dam in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Grand Canyon National Park, AZ from 2014 to 2019: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org/10.5066/P9KEHY2S.
Summary
These data were collected by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) to support riparian vegetation monitoring along the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the full pool level of Lake Mead. The objectives of the GCMRC riparian vegetation monitoring program are to annually measure and summarize the status (composition and cover) of native and non-native vascular plant species within the riparian zone of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead, assess change in the vegetation composition and cover in the riparian zone, as related to geomorphic setting and dam operations, particularly flow regime, and collect data in a manner that can be used by multiple stakeholders and is compatible with the [...]
Summary
These data were collected by the Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) to support riparian vegetation monitoring along the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the full pool level of Lake Mead. The objectives of the GCMRC riparian vegetation monitoring program are to annually measure and summarize the status (composition and cover) of native and non-native vascular plant species within the riparian zone of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Mead, assess change in the vegetation composition and cover in the riparian zone, as related to geomorphic setting and dam operations, particularly flow regime, and collect data in a manner that can be used by multiple stakeholders and is compatible with the basin-wide monitoring program overseen by the National Park Service’s Northern Colorado Plateau Network Inventory and Monitoring program. These data represent estimated cover and richness of plants, as well as associated environmental variables at sample sites visited in 2014 and 2016-2019. These data were collected in the field following the Palmquist and others (2018) published protocol in August, September, and October of each year. This protocol uses ocular cover estimates of variables of interest in 1-m2 quadrat frames at both randomly-selected and annually sampled long-term monitoring sites. Within the study area (between Glen Canyon Dam and the full pool level of Lake Mead), these data can be used to evaluate changes in riparian plant cover between 2014 and 2019, evaluate differences in floristic composition, estimate the frequency and cover of recorded plant species, document approximate distributions of plant species, and estimate species richness and diversity. Caution should be used when combining these data with other data sets, particularly those that utilize different plant cover estimation methods (for example, line-point intercept).
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Status_and_Trends_2014-2019_Metadata.xml Original FGDC Metadata
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Related External Resources
Type: Related Primary Publication
Palmquist, E.C., Butterfield, B.J., and Ralston, B.E., 2023, Assessment of riparian vegetation patterns and change downstream from Glen Canyon Dam from 2014 to 2019: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2023–1026, 55 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20231026.
The purpose of these data are to document the cover and composition of riparian vegetation along the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the full pool level of Lake Mead on an annual basis. These data were collected so that changes in species composition, cover, richness, and diversity can be monitored over time. These data are intended to provide a record of riparian vegetation state and change, against which data collected in the future can be compared.
Rights
The author(s) of these data request that data users contact them regarding intended use and to assist with understanding limitations and interpretation. Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.
