A dataset of Long-term Soil Trace and Heavy Metal Elements at Dinghushan Station, Guangdong (2000–2020)

Soil is a fundamental component of forest ecosystems, providing essential water and nutrients for plant growth and functioning as a crucial medium for various physical, chemical, and biological processes. The Dinghushan National Nature Reserve, located in the South Subtropical Zone of China, is characterized by rich ecosystem diversity and represents a typical region highly sensitive to global environmental changes. As such, it has become a focal area for extensive ecological research. The predominant soil types in the region include lateritic red soil, mountain yellow soil, both of which develop on sandstone and shale, as well as mountain shrub meadow soil. In recent years, the study of soil chemical element composition in this region has gained increasing attention; however, significant uncertainties remain, largely due to the limited availability of shared data. This dataset compiles long-term observational data from the Dinghushan Forest Ecosystem National Field Observation and Research Station, spanning from 2000 to 2020. The primary variables include annual measurements of readily available trace elements in surface soils, as well as decadal assessments of trace elements and heavy metal content in soil profiles. All samples were collected from fixed observation points and analyzed in the laboratory using standardized experimental protocols. The sampling sites encompass three vegetation types representing different successional stages: Pinus massoniana coniferous forest, mixed Pinus massoniana /broad-leaved forest, and monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest. The establishment and open access of this dataset aim to contribute valuable long-term data to enhance regional soil property databases, support monitoring systems for soil quality in subtropical forest ecosystems, strengthen forest ecosystem research networks, refine ecological process models, and inform regional environmental management strategies.