Soil carbon storage, soil quality and biodiversity data of nine permaculture plots and direct control fields in Central Europe (2019-2021)

In this study, we examined eight permaculture plots in Germany and one in Luxembourg one time each from 2019 to 2021. These plots represented either entire farms or sections of farms. The permaculture plots were designed and managed according to permaculture principles, with the goal of achieving economic self-sufficiency in production. They also integrated at least two different types of land use, such as grazing and fruit trees. The specific number and types of land use varied among the permaculture plots. For each location, we collected soil samples from one field representing each permaculture land use type, as well as one control field that reflected the locally predominant agricultural land use. We analyzed the soil samples to assess soil carbon and various nutrients. Additionally, we examined the microbial community structure using phospholipid fatty acids and assessed earthworm abundance. We also measured soil bulk density and depth of humic topsoil. In terms of biodiversity, we investigated the species richness of vascular plants, earthworms and birds. We also determined if areas were covered by trees or not.