Oak Regeneration Study Data at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (2015-2023) Data Package

This data package contains records and metadata from the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Oak Regeneration Study which examines the individual and combined effects of prescribed fire, deer herbivory, and canopy thinning on tree regeneration and ground layer diversity in dry oak-dominated forests. Data from 124 plots are part of a randomized split-plot design experiment with treatments of prescribed fire (burned or unburned) and deer exclosure fence (present or absent) at two sites (Grandview and Backus). One from 10 plots are part of an oak forest restoration project on Highland Mountain. Data on trees, tree regeneration, groundstory diversity, and herbaceous plants sensitive to deer browse were collected at these plots between 2015 – 2023 by National Park Service staff from the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Inventory and Monitoring Network, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and Regional Fire Effects Monitoring Crews. Standard operating procedures were followed by all crews collecting data for this study.