Fine-root traits from common tree species in Puerto Rico before and after Hurricane María (2017-2018)

This dataset is a compilation of root trait measurements from common tree species in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in Puerto Rico taken in February 2017 (before Hurricane María), and in February 2018 (after the hurricane). This dataset is being used on a publication called "Tradeoffs in phosphorus acquisition strategies of five tree species in a tropical forest of Puerto Rico", where we describe below ground P-acquisition strategies of five common tree species (two pioneers and three non-pioneers) growing in the lowland tropical wet forests of Puerto Rico. Additionally, we used the unique opportunity of two consecutive hurricanes that passed over the island (Irma and Maria) to compare root traits before and after the hurricanes to determine which traits were the most responsive and whether such disturbance affected root trait relationships and trade-offs. For this, we sampled trees from El Verde 1 (EV1), Sabana 2 (SB2), and NGEE Tropics' plots El Verde Valley (EVV) and El Verde Ridge (EVR) in 2017 (before hurricanes) and 2018 (after hurricanes). Morphological fine-root traits include root length, diameter, and specific root length (SRL). Root architectural traits includes root branching ratio and intensity. Root physiological trait measured includes phosphatase activity, and root microbial association trait measured includes percentage mycorrhizal colonization. Chemistry data includes root phosphorus concentration, soil available, and organic phosphorus. This dataset was originally published on the NGEE Tropics Archive and is being mirrored on ESS-DIVE for long-term archival Acknowledgement: Thanks to Nathan Stenson, Holly Vander Stel, Dianne Brice, Colleen Iversen, Tana Wood