Dataset of Plant Species Composition and Community Characteristics of Long-term Observation Plots in the Ordos Sandy Grassland from 2004 to 2010

The Ordos Sandy Grassland Ecological Research Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (referred to as “Ordos Ecological Station” hereafter) is located on the severely desertified agro-pastoral ecotone in the central-southern part of the Ordos Plateau. It represents a quintessential exemplar of the temperate zonal sandy grassland ecosystem. This region situated within a multi-layered and complex ecogeographical transition zone, harboring exceptionally rich endemic and relict species within the ecosystem species composition. However, over the past 50 years, climate change and escalating human activities have induced grassland degradation and land desertification, severely impacting regional sustainable development. Long-term vegetation observation data are crucial for studying the responses of vegetation to climate changes, as well as vegetation succession and restoration in the region. Therefore, we compiled manually surveyed plant community data from two long-term observation plots at the Ordos Ecological Station from 2004 to 2010. The dataset encompasses information on plot background and vegetation classification, shrub layer species composition, shrub layer community characteristics, herbaceous layer species composition, and herbaceous layer community characteristics. This dataset provides scientific foundation for the study on the Ordos Plateau, including floristic studies, analyses of regional ecosystem structure and function, and investigations into the mechanisms of vegetation succession and restoration.