Vegetation plot data from the UKCEH Countryside Survey, Great Britain, 2024

This dataset consists of plant species presence and abundance in different sizes of plots recorded from 105 1km squares across Great Britain in 2024, as part of a rolling soil and vegetation monitoring program of 500 1km squares, beginning in 2019 and repeated every 5 years. 2024 represents the first year of a new cycle.

The UKCEH Countryside Survey is a unique study or 'audit' of the natural resources of the UK's countryside. The sample sites are chosen from a stratified random sample, based on a 15 by 15 km grid of GB. Surveys have previously been carried out in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1998 and 2007 by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and predecessors, with repeated visits to the majority of squares. The countryside is sampled and surveyed using rigorous scientific methods, allowing us to compare new results with those from previous surveys. In this way, we can detect the gradual and subtle changes that occur in the UK's countryside over time. In addition to vegetation data, soil data are also gathered by the current phase of the Countryside Survey.

This research was supported by NERC, through the UKCEH National Capability for UK Challenges Programme NE/Y006208/1.