Kathryn D. Eckhoff Michael C. Duniway Rebecca Mann 20260421 tabular digital data Flagstaff, AZ U.S. Geological Survey Kathryn D. Eckhoff https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4659-5703 Michael C. Duniway https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9643-2785 https://doi.org/10.5066/P13BDPJE Kathryn D. Eckhoff Rebecca K. Mann Seth M. Munson Katherine Walton-Day Jo Ellen Hinck Michael C. Duniway 2026 publication Wiley Online Library Restoration Ecology https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.70420 These data were compiled as part of an experimental study investigating alternative methods to dryland reclamation. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of conventional vs alternative approaches alone and in combination, including different seeding methods, seed mixes, and biological soil crust (biocrust) inoculation. These data were collected within the footprint of the former Kanab North Mine in northern Arizona. Vegetation and soil data were collected in October from 2018 - 2022, horizontal sediment flux was collected multiple points annually from 2018-2022, and weather data was collected continuously between November 2017 and March 2024. These data can be used to understand plant, soil, and aeolian sediment flux responses to reclamation treatments across 5 years. The purpose of these data are to provide information about alternative compared to conventional reclamation methods. These data were created to evaluate plant establishment, soil stability, and aeolian sediment flux in response to reclamation methods and climate over 5-years post reclamation. 20171031 20240322 ground condition Complete None planned Experimental Area -112.6844 -112.6040 36.6676 36.7064 ISO 19115 Topic Category biota USGS Thesaurus uranium ecology remediation biological soil crusts sediment transport desert ecosystems field inventory and monitoring terrestrial ecosystems vegetation erosion wind weather precipitation USGS Metadata Identifier USGS:69444facd4be0269d2c2967a None Kanab North Mine Arizona Strip District of the Bureau of Land Management Colorado Plateau Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument Arizona Mohave County Kanab Creek No access constraints. Please see 'Distribution Information' for details. These data are marked with a Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0) public domain dedication and do not have any use constraints. Users are advised to read the dataset's metadata thoroughly to understand appropriate use and data limitations. Michael C Duniway USGS - SOUTHWEST REGION Research Ecologist mailing and physical

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Moab UT 84532 435-210-2831 mduniway@usgs.gov We thank Savannah Wilson, Keven Griffen, Jessica Mikenas, Natalie Drombrowski, Sean Hoy-Skubik, Joe Brehm, Laura Johnston, Quinton Mells, Gigi Otten, Emily Brooke, Sarah Osgood, Aarin Sengsirirak, Hannah Johnson, Sam Andres, Gavin Belfy, Adam Kind, Hilda Smith, Lauren Zeller, and Audrey Malloy for field assistance. This work was funded by the U.S. Geological Survey Environmental Health Program. Jo Ellen Hinck Danielle Cleveland William G. Brumbaugh Greg Linder Julia Lankton 20170113 publication Environmental Monitoring and Assessment vol. 189, issue 2 n/a Springer Science and Business Media LLC https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-5765-1 No formal attribute accuracy tests were conducted No formal logical accuracy tests were conducted Data set is considered complete for the information presented, as described in the abstract. Users are advised to read the rest of the metadata record carefully for additional details. No formal positional accuracy tests were conducted No formal positional accuracy tests were conducted Jeffery E. Herrick Justin W. Van Zee Sarah E. McCord Ericha M. Courtright Jason W. Karl Laura M. Burkett 2017 Second publication Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range Digital and/or Hardcopy 2017 publication date Herrick et al. 2017 Field sampling methods J. Belnap D. Eldridge 20110603 publication Berlin, Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg ppg. 363-383 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-56475-8_27 Digital and/or Hardcopy 20110603 publication date Belnap & Eldridge 2001 Soil surface cover J. Belnap S.L. Phillips D.L. Witwicki M.E. Miller 20080701 publication Journal of Arid Environments vol. 72, issue 7 n/a Elsevier BV ppg. 1257-1264 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2008.02.019 Digital and/or Hardcopy 20080701 publication date Belnap et al. 2008 biocrust level of development scale Debra P. C. Peters Gregory S. Okin Jeffrey E. Herrick Heather M. Savoy John P. Anderson Stacey L. P. Scroggs Junzhe Zhang 20200710 publication Ecology vol. 101, issue 9 n/a Wiley https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3069 Digital and/or Hardcopy 2020 publication date Peters et al. 2020 ConMod descriptions D. W. Fryrear 1986 publication Journal of Soil and Water Conservation vol. 41, issue 2 n/a Informa UK Limited ppg. 117-120 https://doi.org/10.1080/00224561.1986.12455946 Digital and/or Hardcopy 1986 publication date Fryrear 1986 Describes BSNE passive sediment traps Ericha M. Courtright Justin W. Van Zee 20110801 publication Rangelands vol. 33, issue 4 n/a Elsevier BV ppg. 21-26 https://doi.org/10.2111/1551-501X-33.4.21 Digital and/or Hardcopy 2011 publication date Courtright and Van Zee 2011 Digital data storage Sarah E. McCord Joseph R. Brehm Sarah H. Burnett Chris Dietrich Brandon Edwards Loretta J. Metz Mariano Hernandez Narvaez Fred Pierson Kelly S. Ramirez Nelson G. Stauffer Nicholas P. Webb Craig E. Tweedie 20221101 publication Ecological Indicators vol. 144 n/a Elsevier BV ppg. 109511 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109511 Digital and/or Hardcopy 2022 publication date McCord et al. 2022 Data processing software Natural Resources Conservation Service 2025 publication https://plants.usda.gov Digital and/or Hardcopy 2025 ground condition USDA Plants Database Standardized plant identification symbols and plant attributes Kathryn D. Eckhoff Rebecca K. Mann Seth M. Munson Katherine Walton-Day Jo Ellen Hinck Michael C. Duniway 2026 publication Digital and/or Hardcopy 2026 publication date Eckhoff et al. 2026 Seeding lists and rates for seed mixes Installation In fall 2017, the study area was fenced from livestock for the duration of the experiment. We established six 24-meter (m) x 24-m replicates (blocks) with 5-m or greater buffers between blocks and the fence. Within each block, four 8-m x 8-m plots were established and each plot was randomly assigned one of four treatment combinations: two levels of seed mix and two levels of seeding method. The two seed mixes were seeded at the same seeding rate and consisted of: 1) a conventional reclamation seed mix (including both native and non-native species) and 2) an all-native species mix (Eckhoff et al. 2026). The two seed mixes were crossed with two seeding methods: 1) a conventional approach using a drill seeder and 2) an alternative approach of hand seeding within 0.1-meter squared (m2) connectivity modifiers (ConMods). ConMods are artificial structures constructed with approximately 32-centimeter (cm) by 32-cm and 15-cm tall mesh galvanized hardware cloth, and mimic low vegetation (Peters et al. 2020). Within a 64-m2 plot, 77 ConMods were placed in 8 rows evenly spaced at 1-m apart, and seed mixes were hand seeded within the footprint of each ConMod. Biocrust inoculation was nested within large-scale (8x8-m) plots and fully crossed with the seed mix and seeding method factor. Biocrust inoculum, consisting of lichen, cyanobacteria, and moss, was field-collected from an undisturbed area adjacent to the Kanab North Mine site. Inoculum was pulverized, spread by hand within the split-plot at a 30% application rate by area (equivalent to 177-milliliters (0.75 cups) of biocrust in each 0.1-m2 quadrat) and watered with approximately 0.5-liter (L) of deionized water per plot immediately before and after spreading to ensure its adherence to the soil surface. Biocrust-inoculated quadrats (0.1-m2) were paired with adjacent 0.1-m2 quadrats that were not inoculated with biocrust (each pair of quadrats is hereafter known as a crust set). Five crust sets were equally distributed throughout each plot. To compare the effects of ConMods directly to the area between ConMods, five pairs of quadrats were placed over a ConMod, located in a similar location as the drill-seed plots, and an additional five pairs of quadrats were placed adjacent to each ConMod in the area between ConMod rows (hereafter ConMod interspaces) for a total of 20 quadrats, 10 inoculated with biocrust, and 10 not inoculated, with half in the ConMod footprint and half in the interspaces between ConMods (Eckhoff et al. 2026; Figure 1). 2017 Field Sampling Wind-driven horizontal mass flux was monitored using Big Spring Number Eight (BSNEs) passive sediment traps (Fryrear 1986) installed at the center of each 64-m2 plot, 15-cm above the soil surface. Material from each BSNE was collected 5 times throughout the year in 2018-2019, and 3 times per year (~March, June, October) in 2020-2022. Mass flux was calculated by dividing the mineral sediment oven-dry mass from each sediment trap by the opening area (10-cm2) and the time interval between collection points (in days). Plant community characteristics and soil surface cover were monitored on an annual basis, in early fall (~October) from 2018-2022. At the large (8-m by 8-m) plot scale, plant foliar and soil surface cover were measured using line-point intercept (120 points/plot) and inter-canopy gaps greater than 20-cm between perennial species were measured along four 8-m parallel transects following Herrick et al. 2017. Plant identification was carried out by technicians trained in plant identification, and any unknown plants were vouchered and attempted to be identified at a later date. In ConMod plots, transects were placed parallel to ConMod rows, with 2 transects intersecting a row of ConMods and two transects running in the interspace between ConMods. In drill-seed plots, transects ran perpendicular to drill-seed furrows. At the small, biocrust treatment scale, plant density of each species and surface soil aggregate stability (18 locations/plot) was measured within 0.1-m2 quadrats for each crust set. Soil aggregates are ranked on an ordinal scale of 1 (least stable) to 6 (most stable) based on their amount of dispersion when exposed to water (Herrick et al. 2017). Soil cover was measured using a 20-point grid (25cm x 25cm) placed within each quadrat to characterize the soil surface (Belnap & Eldridge 2001). Biocrust level of development (LOD) was visually assessed according to Belnap et al. 2008, on an ordinal scale of 1 (least developed) to 6 (most developed) based on the biocrust stage of succession. Level of development can be an inexpensive and rapid means of tracking late-successional biocrust recovery for restoration practitioners with limited familiarity with biocrust species (Belnap et al. 2008). Herrick et al. 2017 Belnap & Eldridge 2001 Belnap et al. 2008 2022 Data processing Field data were entered into Microsoft excel spreadsheets and later read into R for data cleaning and analysis. Line point intercept and gap intercept data were entered into the Database for Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment (DIMA) format (Courtright and Van Zee 2011), either through direct entry in the field or entered from a datasheet. Data cleaning consisted of error checking, checking for valid plant species codes, checking for proper data arrangement, and ensure the correct number of samples or data entry points for a given experimental unit. Once data was initially entered, all records were verified by another person to ensure no data entry mistakes were made. The primary focus of this process was to screen for outliers or data gaps that might have been initial recorded incorrectly. Data then were processed into indicators grouped by plot sampling event using the "terradactyl" and "terradacylUtils" packages in R (McCord et al. 2022). For indicators based on plant functional types, plant species duration, growth habit, and native/introduced status were determined using the USDA Plants Database. 2022 Weather Station Weather conditions at the study site were monitored every 15 minutes with a meteorological station established in the center of the site in the fall of 2017. The station was composed of a data logger (Em50, METER Group Inc., WA), anemometers measuring speed and directions at 0.8, 1.5, at 3 meters (Davis Cup Anemometer; Davis Instruments Corporation, Hayward, CA), a tipping bucket rain gauge at 0.8-m (METER ECRN-100), and a temperature and relative humidity sensor at 2-m (METER ATMOS 14 VP-4). Attribute values are within expected ranges. Range queries were written to confirm that numerical values were not outside a reasonable range for a particular field. Outlier checks were performed by plotting numerical values bounded within a range. Data set is considered complete for the information presented. Note that there are missing dates (9/7/2022-10/11/2022) due to issues with the weather station. 2022 TreatmentKey.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Block Unique identifier for each block Producer Defined 1 6 Plot Unique identifier for each plot Producer Defined 1 24 Method Restoration methods that were applied at the plot scale Producer Defined ConMods Plot had connectivity modifiers (ConMods) and was hand seeded within the ConMod footprint Producer defined Drillseed Plot was drillseeded Producer defined Mix Seed mix identity Producer Defined Native Mix Alternative seed mix consisting of only native species Producer defined Conventional Mix Conventional mix used by operators, consisting of both native and non-native species Producer defined LargeScale_LinePointIntercept_Indicators.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Block Unique identifier for each block Producer Defined 1 6 Plot Unique identifier for each plot Producer Defined 1 24 DateVisited Date plot was sampled Producer Defined 10/10/2018 10/14/2022 mm/dd/yyyy Variable Type of indicator Producer Defined LPI (Line Point Intercept) indicators are defined in LPI_Indicator_Definitions.csv Value Value of variable (percent) Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 0.0 99.90625 LargeScale_LinePointIntercept_SpComp.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Block Unique identifier for each block Producer Defined 1 6 Plot Unique identifier for each plot Producer Defined 1 24 DateVisited Date plot was sampled Producer Defined 10/10/2018 10/14/2022 Species Known plant Codes are USDA plant codes, unknown plant codes follow the format described in Herrick et al. (2017), surface codes are less than three letters Producer Defined Known plant species or species and genus names follow USDA PLANTS Database (Codeset Source: https://plants.usda.gov). Unknown plant species follow the format described in Herrick et al. (2017). Non-species cover values and definitions in this field are: AG: Aggregate soil AM: Animal matter CB: Cobble, rock fragments 76 - 250 mm. CY: Cover of the soil surface that is light or dark cyanobacteria crusts EL: Embedded woody litter < 5mm in diameter. FG: Rock fragments <5 mm in diameter. GR: Rock fragments 5-76 mm in diameter. HT: Human trash. L: Herbaceous litter. LC: Visible lichen crust attached to soil surface. LM: Loose erodible soil. M: Moss. PC: Physical crust ST: Rock fragments 5-76 mm in diameter. WL: Woody litter >5mm in diameter. Cover Percent cover of the plant species and surface codes identified in the Species column Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 0.0 88.28 LargeScale_Dust.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Block Unique identifier for each block Producer Defined 3 Block 3 Producer defined 4 Block 4 Producer defined 2 Block 2 Producer defined Monoculture Monoculture area Producer defined 6 Block 6 Producer defined 1 Block 1 Producer defined 5 Block 5 Producer defined Plot Unique identifier for each plot Producer Defined Plots in the main experiment (1-24) and in the monoculture area (A & B) DateCollected Date sample was collected Producer Defined 1/8/2018 10/15/2022 SedimentMass Weight (g) of the BSNE dust sample. Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 0.0093 9.7972 grams CollectionPeriod The number of days that passed between sample collections. Producer Defined 36 157 days SedimentFlux Sediment flux, calculated by dividing the sample weights by the opening size of the BSNE sampler (10cm2) and the number of days between sample collections. Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 0.0002 0.1639 grams per centimeter squared per day SmallScale_Density.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Year Year plot was sampled Producer Defined 2018 2022 Block Unique identifier for each block Producer Defined 1 6 Plot Unique identifier for each plot Producer Defined 1 24 CrustSet Unique identifier for each crustset Producer Defined 1 5 Position Position of quadrat relative to ConMods Producer Defined na Drill seed plot, no ConMods Producer defined cm In the ConMod footprint Producer defined int In the interspace between ConMods Producer defined Inoculation Indicates whether quadrats were inoculated with biocrust. Producer Defined ct Control, no biocrust inoculation Producer defined in Inoculated with biocrust Producer defined Species Known plant codes are USDA plant codes, unknown plant codes follow the format described in Herrick et al. (2017) Producer Defined Known plant codes are USDA plant codes, unknown plant codes follow the format described in Herrick et al. (2017) Density Number of individual plants in each quadrat Producer Defined 0.0 560.0 SmallScale_SoilSurface.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Year Year plot was sampled Producer Defined 2018 2022 Block Unique identifier for each block Producer Defined 1 6 Plot Unique identifier for each plot Producer Defined 1 24 CrustSet Unique identifier for each crust set Producer Defined 1 5 Position Position of quadrat relative to ConMods Producer Defined na Drill seed plot, no ConMods Producer defined cm In the ConMod footprint Producer defined int In the interspace between ConMods Producer defined Inoculation Indicates whether quadrats were inoculated with biocrust. Producer Defined ct Control, no biocrust inoculation Producer defined in Inoculated with biocrust Producer defined Variable Type of indicator Producer Defined LOD Level of development score (1-6) Producer defined pc_relcvr Relative cover of physical crust Producer defined ag_relcvr Relative cover of soil aggregates Producer defined lm_relcvr Relative cover of loose material Producer defined gr_relcvr Relative cover of rock fragments 5-76mm Producer defined fg_relcvr Relative cover of rock fragments <5mm Producer defined el_relcvr Relative cover of embedded litter Producer defined cy_relcvr Relative cover of cyanobacteria Producer defined m_relcvr Relative cover of moss Producer defined lc_relcvr Relative cover of lichen Producer defined bsc_relcvr Relative cover of biocrust Producer defined rocks_relcvr Relative cover of rocks Producer defined pro_relcvr Relative cover of protected soil cover Producer defined AggScore Soil aggregate score (1-6) Producer defined Value Value of variable Producer Defined NA No Data Producer defined 0.0 100.0 SpeciesList.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined FieldCode Plant species symbols used in the field Producer Defined Plant symbols used in the field. Unknown plant species symbols follow the format described in Herrick et al. 2017. USDA_PlantCode Plant species symbol Producer Defined << empty cell >> No Data Producer defined Known plant species symbols from the USDA Plants Database. Unknown plant species symbols follow the format described in Herrick et al. 2017. ScientificName Scientific plant names Producer Defined << empty cell >> No Data Producer defined Scientific names correspond to those in the USDA Plants Database Nativity Plant species native status based on data in USDA Plants Database Producer Defined << empty cell >> No Data Producer defined Native Plant species is native to the study area Producer defined Unknown Unknown Producer defined Exotic Plant species was introduced (not native) to the study area Producer defined Longevity Plant species growth duration Producer Defined << empty cell >> No Data Producer defined perennial Plants live for more than 2 years Producer defined annual Plants live for less than 2 years Producer defined FunctionalGroup Plant species growth habit Producer Defined << empty cell >> No Data Producer defined grass Plant species typically grows in graminoid form (includes grasses and sedges) Producer defined forb Plant species typically grows in forb form Producer defined shrub Plant species typically grows in shrub form Producer defined Seeded Species was included in a seeded seed mix Producer Defined Y Yes, species was in a seeded seed mix Producer defined N No, species was not in a seeded species mix Producer defined Notes Notes regarding species Producer Defined << empty cell >> No Data Producer defined Notes including identifying features of species WeatherData.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined Measurement_Time This attribute (column name) in the data table represents the date and time of the recorded meteorological observation. Producer Defined 10/31/2017 15:37 3/22/2024 11:30 mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm Precip_mm This attribute (column name) in the data table represents precipitation at 0.8 m. Producer Defined 0.0 17.8 millimeters 0.8m_Wind_ms This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean wind speed at 0.8 m height. Producer Defined 0.0 10.9 meters per second 0.8m_Gusts_ms This attribute (column name) in the data table represents the maximum instantaneous wind speed during the previous hour in meters per second at 0.8 m height, also known as gusts. Producer Defined 0.0 16.39 meters per second 0.8m_Dir_Deg This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean wind direction at 0.8m height. Producer Defined 0 359 degrees 1.5m_Wind_ms This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean wind speed at 1.5 m height. Producer Defined 0.0 12.3 meters per second 1.5m_Gusts_ms This attribute (column name) in the data table represents the maximum instantaneous wind speed during the previous hour in meters per second at 1.5 m height, also known as gusts. Producer Defined 0.0 14.79 meters per second 1.5m_Dir_Deg This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean wind direction at 1.5 m height. Producer Defined 0 359 degrees 3m_Wind_ms This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean wind speed at 3.0 m height. Producer Defined 0.0 10.1 meters per second 3m_Gusts_ms This attribute (column name) in the data table represents the maximum instantaneous wind speed during the previous hour in meters per second at 3.0 m height, also known as gusts. Producer Defined 0.0 12.47 meters per second 3m_Dir_Deg This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean wind direction at 3.0 m height. Producer Defined 0 359 degrees 2m_RH This attribute (column name) in the data table represents relative humidity at 2m height. Producer Defined 0.033 1.0 percentage 2m_Temp_C This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean air temperature at 2m height. Producer Defined -14.4 41.5 degrees Celsius 2m_Barometric_kPa This attribute (column name) in the data table represents mean barometric pressure at 2 m height. Producer Defined 49.000 86.489 kilopascal LinePointIntercept_Indicators_Definitions.csv Comma Separated Value (CSV) file containing data. Producer Defined LPI_Indicators LPI (Line Point Intercept) Indicators Producer Defined Indicators calculated from LPI data LPI_IndicatorDefinitions Definitions of LPI (Line Point Intercept) Indicators Producer Defined Definitions of each LPI Indicator U.S. Geological Survey - ScienceBase mailing address

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Denver CO 80225 1-888-275-8747 sciencebase@usgs.gov Unless otherwise stated, all data, metadata and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. Although these data and associated metadata have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness and approved for release by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the display or utility of the data for other purposes, nor on all computer systems, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. Digital Data https://doi.org/10.5066/P13BDPJE None 20260421 Michael C Duniway USGS - SOUTHWEST REGION Research Ecologist mailing and physical

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Moab UT 84532 435-210-2831 mduniway@usgs.gov FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata FGDC-STD-001.1-1999