Vegetation cover and functional traits showing effect of stream restoration on plant communities in northern New Mexico

This data publication contains vegetation cover and functional traits data from a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) designed study that evaluated the impacts of two stream restoration techniques on plant communities: beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and plug-and-ponds. This study took place in 2020-2022 within northern New Mexico along San Antonio Creek, Rio Cebolla, Comanche Creek, and Vidal Creek. Tabular data include vegetation cover measurements recorded on 1 square meter plots along multiple transects and distances from the channel, at eight stream restoration control and impact sites. Additionally, vegetation functional traits for the species found on these sites were acquired from the USDA PLANTS Database. Information such as growth habit, growth form, and lifespan are included.This study was designed to provide information and an understanding of the effects stream restoration has on facilitated recovery of riparian plant communities, and how reassembly impacted the representation of traits that influence ecosystem function.For more information about this study and these data, see Driscoll et al. (2025, https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70053).