Floristic Quality and Nutrient Status in Grassland Systems

This dataset contains paired soil and floristic measurements collected from grassland ecosystems across Missouri, USA, representing a range of management histories and ecological conditions, including agricultural fields, prairie restorations, and remnant prairie systems. Soil variables include pH, soil organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations, plant-available phosphorus, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, and K), cation exchange capacity, sulfate sulfur, selected micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu), and soil texture fractions (sand, silt, and clay). Vegetation data were collected from the same sampling units and include measures of plant species richness, native species richness, coefficients of conservatism, floristic quality indices (FQI), cover-weighted floristic metrics, and wetness coefficients. These variables provide quantitative assessments of plant community composition and ecological integrity across sites with differing land-use histories. The dataset was assembled to evaluate relationships between soil properties and floristic indicators of ecosystem condition and restoration status. By linking soil chemical and physical characteristics with measures of plant community quality, the dataset enables analyses of soil–vegetation relationships, restoration trajectories, and patterns of ecological condition across managed and remnant grassland systems. All data are provided in tabular format with accompanying metadata and variable definitions to facilitate reuse. This dataset is intended for researchers, educators, students, and land managers interested in grassland ecology, restoration science, soil–plant interactions, floristic assessment, and ecosystem monitoring.