Shrub Edge Community and Microclimate Data from Hog Island, VA 2021-2022

This data was collected from 2021-2023 on Hog Island, VA in the swale along the south end of the island where there is active shrub expansion of Morella cerifera (Southern wax myrtle). The microclimate data includes water table depth, soil moisture, soil nutrients, PAR (Photosynthetically active radiation), and temperature in (℃). These data were collected along the shrub edge and in the open grassland plots (n=10). The vegetation community data includes percent cover, stem density, and height measured in a 0.25 m2 plot. The 4 species identified to dominate in both communities were: Andropogon virginicus, Spartina patens, Panicum amarum, and Solidago sempervirens. These species were used for trait analyses. The trait data includes: specific leaf area (SLA), stem specific density (SSD), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and leaf nutrients.