Extensive vegetation and soil surveys from multiple sites in boreal forests of subarctic Canada, 2013-2014

Tree canopy leaf area index (LAITree) was determined using a Nikon D5000 DSLR camera with a Sigma EX 4.5 1:2.8 DC HSM hemispherical lens. Nine photographs were taken at different locations 1 m above each plot and processed with CAN-EYE software. Understory LAI (LAIU) was measured using a LI-COR LAI2000 Plant Canopy Analyser (LI-COR, Lincoln, USA). One measurement was taken above the understory canopy with a 90 degree field of view cap and four measurements were taken below the understory canopy at the four corners of a 20 x 20 cm square at the centre of each plot. Moss thickness was determined by carefully removing a section of moss and organic material from the ground with a serrated knife while avoiding compression. Moss thickness was measured as the distance from the surface of the living moss to the point at which dead moss (fibric material) became decomposed to a state that its structure was no longer discernible. For further details please read the associated supporting documentation.