DOI: 10.5285/f15e64c0-db65-40ec-8b6d-50573f5f6694
title: Vegetation data from experimental trials to investigate the control of Brachypodium pinnatum at Martin Down National Nature Reserve, UK, 2019-2022

description: Vegetation data from field surveys undertaken at two experimental trials at Martin Down NNR, to investigate the potential for reducing dense Brachypodium pinnatum cover (experiment 1) and preventing further expansion of sparse cover (experiment 2). Experiment 1 explores the use of herbicide and reseeding, whilst experiment 2 examines cutting and grazing in the spring, autumn and both seasons. Percentage cover of all vascular plant species were recorded in 50 cm x 50 cm quadrats in each treatment replicate for both experiments. Surveys were undertaken in 2019 as a baseline before the experiments commenced, and post treatment in 2020, 2021 and 2022. 
description: Three experimental blocks were established over dense patches of B. pinnatum for the herbicide spraying experiment (experiment 1). Each block consisted of four plots, each measuring 8 m x 5 m. Four treatments were randomly applied within each block: 1) spray and reseed, 2) spray and no reseed, 3) spray twice and reseed and 4) spray twice and no reseeding. All plots were first sprayed with glyphosate in September 2019, followed by a cut and removal of dead material in April 2020. For plots which required a second spray, this took place in June 2020, followed by another cut and removal in September 2020. Seeding on the relevant treatments was also carried out in September 2020, using seeds that were hand-collected throughout the season at Martin Down. For more detailed information on the seeding process, please see supporting document.
One large plot was established for the cut and graze experiment (experiment 2) over sparser cover of B. pinnatum, consisting of nine plots each measuring 20 m x 18 m. Three replicates of the three treatments were applied: autumn cut and graze (treatment 5), spring cut and graze (treatment 6), and both spring and autumn cut and graze (treatment 7). 
Vegetation recording was carried out in late August/early September of 2019 (before all treatments were applied to provide a baseline), and post treatment in 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the spraying experiment, vegetation surveys were conducted within each plot by placing five 50 cm × 50 cm quadrats at approximately 1 m intervals (i.e. vertices of a “W”-shaped transect through the plot). Quadrats avoided the outermost 50 cm of each plot, where there was an increased potential for spray drift from adjacent areas. Within each quadrat, the percentage cover of B. pinnatum, all other vascular plants and bare ground were recorded. A total of seven quadrats in each plot were recorded for the cut and graze experiment, since they were larger and the cover of B. pinnatum was more variable. Five quadrats in a diamond formation in the centre (5 m apart) were recorded, as well as two quadrats on the edge of each plot (avoiding the outermost 2 m).
Data were collected by experienced field ecologists, the same ecologists carried out all surveys. Paper data sheets were digitised into Excel and were checked for any anomalies.