Field and spatial data for: Understanding the role of fire refugia in promoting ecosystem resilience of dry forests in the western United States

This data publication contains both field and spatial components of a research project regarding the role of fire refugia in promoting ecosystem resilience. These data were collected in the western regions of the United States including the Southern Rocky Mountains (Colorado and New Mexico), the Blue Mountains (Oregon), the Kaibab and Coconino Plateaus and Mogollon Rim (Arizona). Data were collected at 12 field sites which were within burned areas selected for their occurrence in a post-fire time frame considered sufficient for observation of forest recovery. Field data were collected in 2017 along a spatial gradient defined by distance from surviving trees; the tree maps were developed using National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) digital images taken post-fire (2007-2014) at the field sites. Variables measured in the field included species, cover and height of herbaceous and woody plants, ground cover and data on residual trees.Data were collected to meet the project objective: To assess the ecological role of fire refugia as a component of ecosystem resilience.