Persistence of native and exotic plants ten years after prairie reconstruction

These data sets consist of data collected during 2005-2007, 2010, and 2015 at Neal Smith NWR (IA) and Fergus Falls, Litchfield, and Morris Wetland Management Districts (MN) that were used in the analysis in support of the article titled "Integrity of tallgrass prairie reconstructions ten years after planting: native plant persistence and exotic weed resistance," which has been submitted to the journal Restoration Ecology. The primary goal of this study was to understand what influence early reconstruction practices have on long-term outcomes. Twelve replicates of three planting methods (dormant-season broadcast, growing-season broadcast, and growing-season drill) and three seed mix richness levels (10, 20 or 34 species), fully crossed in a completely randomized design were planted in 2005 on nine former agricultural fields. Cover by species was estimated in 2005-2007, 2010 and 2015, and richness data for treatment plots was determined in 2007, 2010, and 2015. Data from Minnesota and Iowa sites were analyzed separately, and are housed in separate files.