Vegetation surveys on Peatland Action sites across Scotland in 2014, 2015 and 2021

These data were collected to assess the vegetation response to Peatland Action restoration activities across Scotland; at 16 sites during 2014-2015 and 13 (of these) sites in 2021. A total of 1,002 quadrats (mostly 2x2 m) were surveyed during 2014-2015 and 873 in 2021. Percentage cover of all living vascular and non-vascular species was estimated. The layers of vegetation were taken into account ñ such as the cover of non-vascular plants (bryophytes and lichens) and layers of vascular plants above this. This means that the percentage cover of vegetation could add up to more than 100%. Where factors such as bare ground are present, the vegetation coverage may also add up to less than 100% of the quadrat. Sample areas were either pre-restoration areas, post-restoration areas, unrestored control areas or unmodified reference areas.