Plant trait records for tundra vascular plant species from the Yukon, Canada, 2014-2017

• Main Authors: Myers-Smith, Isla, Thomas, Haydn, Bjorkman, Anne
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: UK Polar Data Centre, Natural Environment Research Council, UK Research & Innovation 2019
• Subjects: "EARTH SCIENCE","BIOSPHERE","ECOSYSTEMS","TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS","ALPINE/TUNDRA"; "EARTH SCIENCE","BIOSPHERE","VEGETATION","LEAF CHARACTERISTICS"; "EARTH SCIENCE","BIOSPHERE","VEGETATION","PLANT CHARACTERISTICS"; Tundra; vegetation; vascular plants; plant functional traits; Yukon; Canada; Herschel Island; Perez; Herschel
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5285/252d833f-e29e-4175-99ee-304b151a1d30; https://data.bas.ac.uk/full-record.php?id=GB/NERC/BAS/PDC/01090

This dataset contains plant trait measurements for nine plant functional traits (specific leaf area, vegetative height, reproductive height, seed mass, leaf dry matter content, wood density, leaf area, leaf fresh mass, leaf dry mass) collected in situ from tundra plant communities at three sites in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The three sites (Kluane Platueau (60.96 degN, 138.41 degW), Pika Camp (61.22 degN, 138.28 degW), Qikiqtaruk-Herschel Island (69.57 degN, 138.90 degW)) were visited annually from 2014-2017. Funding was provided by the NERC grant NE/M016323/1. : Traits were collected as part of field expeditions to the Yukon to examine the effect of climate change on plant communities. Traits were gathered on individuals following standardised protocols set out in (Perez-Harguindeguy et al, 2013). Fresh traits were measured at field sites. Dried plant material (leaves and stems) were transported to the University of Edinburgh (UK) for processing. : Masses were measured using a digital mass balance (Ohaus Scout Pro). Area measurements were made using the software ImageJ. : All mass measured to nearest 0.01g. Field measured (fresh mass) data has greater uncertainty due to measurement in field environment. Dates are missing for some of the trait records and only the month and year are provided.