Boreal aspen understory diversity along a continental gradient

This dataset contains vascular plant species cover and diversity indices (richness, evenness, and beta diversity) of understory communities and site-level environmental variables from 33 mature aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands across the Canadian boreal forest. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relative impacts of local and regional environmental conditions on vascular plant community composition and diversity in the boreal forest. We measured community composition and vegetation diversity indices of the vascular understory in 400 m2 plots and measured environmental variables at the local (drainage, nutrient and light availability, site heterogeneity) and regional (annual temperature and precipitation, fire weather index, landscape heterogeneity) scales. 

Methods
Sampling took place in 33 trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands along a transcontinental gradient in precipitation and fire regimes in boreal Canada. We measured community composition and vegetation diversity indices of the vascular understory in 400 m2 plots and measured environmental variables at the local (drainage, nutrient and light availability, site heterogeneity) and regional (annual temperature and precipitation, fire weather index, landscape heterogeneity) scales. Specific details about data collection of individual variables are presented in the Usage Notes section.