Dataset of punctual observations along soil moisture gradients in France

<p><span>The interface between wetlands and uplands is characterized by grad</span><span>ients</span><span> in hydrological, soil and biological components. </span><span>Consequently</span><span>, the exact spatial distribution of this transitional area </span><span>is not well </span><span>known because it often occurs as a fuzzy moisture gradient. However, ecological assessment and conservation require mapping and characterizing this interface to better understand and model biotic and abiotic interactions between wetlands and uplands. To this end, </span><span>in 2021 and 2022, </span><span>we observed soil properties and vegetation types along </span><span>soil </span><span>moisture gradients throughout the Atlantic, Continental, Mediterranean and Alpine biogeographic regions of France. The dataset contains </span><span>2 236</span> <span>georeferenced plots (accuracy ± 5 m) distributed along 1 088 transects placed along the slope at 377 sites</span><span>.</span><span> Each plot in the database is characterized by </span><span>21</span><span> fields that describe the vegetation habitat type based on the European Nature Information System (EUNIS) and soil properties (</span><span>i.e. </span><span>depth of appearance and thickness of </span><span>redoximorphic features </span><span>in the soil profile, moisture). These data are useful for researchers and engineers in a variety of disciplines </span><span>(e.g. E</span><span>arth and life sciences) to calibrate and validate </span><span>models to predict </span><span>the spatial distribution of habitats or</span><span> to analyze</span><span> flow</span><span>s</span><span>.</span></p>