Small Mammal Exclosure Study (SMES) Cryptogamic Crust Data from Chihuahuan Desert Grassland and Shrubland at the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico (1995-2005)

The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not the activities of small mammals regulate plant community structure, plant species diversity, and spatial vegetation patterns in Chihuahuan Desert shrublands and grasslands. What role if any do indigenous small mammal consumers have in maintaining desertified landscapes in the Chihuahuan Desert? Additionally, how do the effects of small mammals interact with changing climate to affect vegetation patterns over time? This is data for soil surface cover of cryptobiotic (cryptogam) crusts measured on each of the SMES study plots. Cryptobiotic crusts were measured from each of the 36 one-meter2 quadrats twice each year when vegetation was measured. Cryptobiotic crusts include lichens, mosses, algae, brown algae, and cyanobacteria that form crusts on stable soil surfaces.本研究旨在明确小型哺乳动物的活动是否会调控奇瓦瓦沙漠灌丛与草原中的植物群落结构、植物物种多样性及空间植被格局。本土小型哺乳动物消费者在维持奇瓦瓦沙漠荒漠化景观中发挥着何种作用（若存在的话）？此外，小型哺乳动物的影响如何与气候变化相互作用，进而随时间推移影响植被格局？本数据集为SMES各研究样地中隐花植物结皮（cryptobiotic crusts，又称cryptogam crusts）的土壤表面覆盖度数据。每年在开展植被调查的两个时段，会对36个1平方米样方分别进行隐花植物结皮测量。隐花植物结皮涵盖在稳定土壤表面形成结皮层的地衣、苔藓、藻类、褐藻与蓝细菌。