Dataset of tree canopy structure and variation in understory composition in a boreal forest site

This dataset is supplementary data for two journal publications. Two files, named “Raw.csv” and “Processed.csv” are provided. The “Processed.csv” was used as such in paper [1], which contains related interpretations, background and conclusions related to the data. The “Raw.csv” contain raw data and the accompanying Data in brief data article [2] describes the applied data collection methods and procedures.

See further detail from the related articles.
[1] Majasalmi T., & Rautiainen, M.A. 2020. The impact of tree canopy structure on understory variation in a boreal forest. Forest Ecology and Management (2020).
[2] Majasalmi T., & Rautiainen, M.A. 2020. Dataset of tree canopy structure and variation in understory composition in a boreal forest site. Data in Brief (2020).

Data content in short:

In “Processed.csv”, for each plot, the mean understory composition is calculated, assuming the upper understory to overlay equally the lower understory components. In addition, LAI is shoot-level clumping corrected LAI, as opposed to the effective LAI, which is the direct output of the LAI-2000 device. In addition, tree species shares of total plot basal area (BA, m2/ha), are included in “Processed.csv”.

The raw data file “Raw.csv” contains, for each plot, vertical cover fractions of both upper and lower understory layers separately for sub-plots (named “p1_” and “p2_” followed by cover fraction component name) as they were measured in the field conditions. LAI in this file is the effective LAI, which is the direct output of the LAI-2000 device. In addition, basal areas of tree species and/or number of tree stems per hectare is provided.