These data were compiled to assess the response of vegetation and biological soil crusts to drought in a semi-arid ecosystem on the Colorado Plateau near Moab, Utah. Objective(s) of our study were to explore how vegetation cover, soil conditions, and growing season nitrogen (N) availability are impacted by multifaceted drying climate conditions using data from a long-term precipitation reduction experiment (30% reduction). In 2010, U.S. Geological Survey biologists installed paired experimental plots with a control plot and a plot covered by a shelter that excluded 35% of incoming precipitation. These 40 sites represent shallow vs. deep soils and sandstone vs. shale parent material. These data were collected at various time frames include plot-level plant species richness, individual plant mortality of focal species, ocular plant cover estimates, cover of biological soil crusts, available Nitrogen pools, foliar isotopes, soil chemistry and texture. Data were collected from 2014 to 2020 by U.S. Geological Survey scientists and technicians from the Southwest Biological Science Center - Moab, UT, Research Station. These data can be used to predict vegetation and ground cover response to extreme and prolonged drought conditions across the Upper Colorado Plateau.