DOI: 10.5061/dryad.90124
title: Data from: Restored tallgrass prairies have reduced phylogenetic diversity compared with remnants

description: Ecological restoration is critical for mitigating habitat loss and
 providing ecosystem services. However, restorations often have lower
 diversity than remnant, reference sites. Phylogenetic diversity is an
 important component of biodiversity and ecosystem function that has only
 recently been used to evaluate restoration outcomes. To move towards
 prediction in the restoration of biodiversity, it is necessary to
 understand how phylogenetic diversity of restorations compares with that
 of reference sites, and where deficits are found, to evaluate factors
 constraining phylogenetic diversity. We quantified plant taxonomic and
 phylogenetic diversity in eastern tallgrass prairie, one of the most
 endangered ecosystems on earth. We measured diversity at large (site) and
 small (plot) scales in 19 restored prairies and compared patterns with
 those from 41 remnant prairies. To evaluate how environmental conditions
 and management actions influence outcomes, we tested the effects of soil
 properties and seed mix composition on diversity of restorations. Restored
 prairies were less phylogenetically diverse than remnants at both spatial
 scales. On the other hand, the total species richness of remnant and
 restored prairies did not significantly differ, but remnants had higher
 native richness. Restored communities were taxonomically and
 phylogenetically distinct from remnants. Soil properties (moisture and pH)
 influenced phylogenetic diversity and composition. There were positive
 relationships between the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of seed
 mixes and resulting diversity of planted assemblages (excluding volunteer
 species). Species in seed mixes were more closely related than expected by
 chance, and several clades found in remnant prairies were missing from
 seed mixes. Synthesis and applications. Restored tallgrass prairies had
 lower phylogenetic diversity than remnant prairies, which may contribute
 to the widely observed phenomenon of restorations not being functionally
 equivalent to reference sites. It is encouraging for restoration efforts
 that seed mix phylogenetic diversity predicted phylogenetic diversity of
 planted assemblages. This indicates that designing phylogenetically
 diverse seed mixes for restoration is beneficial. In addition, clades
 found in reference sites that are missing from restoration seed mixes
 could be added to new or existing restorations to reduce gaps in
 phylogenetic diversity. Further work on the effects of management on
 phylogenetic diversity is needed to advance restoration of biodiversity.
description: Plot_communityPlot level plant community data from restored tallgrass prairie in Illinois. Data from transect surveys. Each site was sampled using 2 50 meter transects. Study plots (0.25 m2 round quadrats) plots were placed on each transect, at 5 meter intervals, for a total of 20 plots per site. Vegetation data is presence/absence.Site_communitySite level plant community data consisting of data collected from transects and from a directed search at each site. During the directed search, two researchers walked through each site for at least 60 minutes, identifying and recording species. Data is presence/absence.Seed_mixesPlant composition data for seed mixes planted to establish restored prairies in Illinois.Prairie_phylogenyNewick tree file consisting of a phylogenetic tree of 589 species found in remnant and restored prairies, and seed mixes.Prarie_Phylogeny.treSoilPlot level soil data from restored prairies in Illinois. For each sample, we measured soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), gravimetric soil moisture (GSM), and organic matter by mass loss on ignition (LOI).