Field dataset of punctual observations of soil properties and vegetation types distributed along soil moisture gradients in France

Abstract

The interface between wetlands and uplands is characterized by gradients in hydrological, soil and biological components. Consequently, the exact spatial distribution of this transitional area is not well known because it often occurs as a fuzzy moisture gradient. However, ecological assessment and conservation require mapping and characterizing this interface to better understand and model biotic and abiotic interactions between wetlands and uplands. To this end, in 2021 and 2022, we observed soil properties and vegetation types along soil moisture gradients throughout the Atlantic, Continental, Mediterranean and Alpine biogeographic regions of France. The dataset contains 2 236 georeferenced plots (accuracy ± 5 m) distributed along 1 088 transects placed along the slope at 377 sites. Each plot in the database is characterized by 21 fields that describe the vegetation habitat type based on the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) and soil properties (i.e. depth of appearance and thickness of redoximorphic features in the soil profile, moisture). These data are useful for researchers and engineers in a variety of disciplines (e.g. Earth and life sciences) to calibrate and validate models to predict the spatial distribution of habitats or to analyze flows.

Keywords

• Biodiversity
• Natural habitat, Soil, Redoximorphic features, EUNIS, Wetlands