DOI: 10.5061/dryad.79cnp5j7v
title: Data from: Pioneer habitats drive high plant beta diversity and conservation value of mineral extraction sites

description: Mineral extraction sites have been shown to serve as secondary habitats
 and provide suitable conditions for a wide range of plant species. The
 areas created by extraction are characterized by a high degree of
 disturbance, nutrient depletion, and low competition. Here, we compare
 plant communities across a wide range of sites and substrate classes, to
 assess drivers of plant biodiversity and provide practical insights for
 restoration that can be applied by extraction companies. We studied alpha-
 and beta-diversity of plant species in 12 German mineral extraction sites
 for building materials (gravel, gypsum, limestone, sand). We assessed
 plant diversity, abundance, and abiotic and structural parameters on 124
 plots. We found only minor variation in species richness between plots,
 whereas species composition differed substantially. Species richness
 increased with soil pH while it decreased with proportion of open soil.
 The local contribution to beta diversity (LCBD) of sites was particularly
 high on open and acidic plots. The acidic and older plots harboured the
 highest proportion of endangered species. The floristic composition was
 significantly influenced by age, herb-layer height, open soil, and pH;
 however, site and substrate accounted for a substantially greater
 proportion of the total variance in community composition. Our
 findings highlight the significance of open pioneer habitats in driving
 plant beta diversity of extraction sites for building materials. Nutrient
 depletion and site heterogeneity facilitate the colonization by a wide
 range of generalist and specialized plant species through natural
 succession. Given the excellent nutrient-poor starting conditions, mineral
 extraction sites should therefore be prioritized for the development and
 restoration of low-productive open habitats, such as grass- and
 heathlands, while common recultivation measures, in particular soil
 amelioration and afforestation, should be avoided. The persistence of open
 pioneer habitats can be promoted by deliberate mechanical disturbances or
 grazing to slow down succession on abandoned patches. Addressing
 shortcomings in long-term management and advancing the development of
 post-extraction habitats for conservation purposes is crucial and could
 make a substantial contribution to the protection of plant diversity at
 both local and regional scales.
description: # Data from: Pioneer habitats drive high plant beta diversity and
 conservation value of mineral extraction sites Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.79cnp5j7v](10.5061/dryad.79cnp5j7v) ## Description of the
 data and file structure This dataset contains the data required to
 replicate analyses in Schwesig et al. (2025), studying alpha- and
 beta-diversity of plant species in 12 German mineral extraction sites for
 building materials (gravel, gypsum, limestone, sand). Data cover plant
 diversity, abundance, and abiotic and structural parameters on 124 plots
 located in the South, Centre, and West of Germany. Additional information
 on sampling dates is included. ### Files and variables #### File:
 metadata.xlsx **Description:** Metadata used for the analysis in Schwesig
 et al. (2025) including sampling and site characteristics as well as
 environmental variables used as predictors in the analyses. All variable
 descriptions are included in the "notes"-sheet of the
 .xlsx-file. Missing values are indicated with "NA". #### File:
 vegetation_data.xlsx **Description:** Vegetation data used for the
 analysis in Schwesig et al. (2025). The file includes the raw vegetation
 data from 124 sampling plots in 12 German mineral extraction sites. The
 legend for the abundance categories used is included in
 the "notes"-sheet of the .xlsx-file. "NA" indicates
 the absence of a species at the respective plot.