Data from: Managing canopy cover to preserve forest microclimate and diverse macroarthropod communities in times of drought

Forest canopies play a vital role in buffering macroclimatic conditions,
creating stable microclimates that support species unable to survive under
the surrounding climate. However, disturbances driven by climate change
alongside management interventions can disrupt canopy cover, altering
forest microclimates and, consequently, forest-related biodiversity. To
investigate these dynamics, we monitored forest floor temperature, soil
moisture, and macroarthropod communities along a canopy cover gradient in
the National Park Brabantse Wouden, Belgium. Forest structure was
inventoried in 2022 following the protocol of the Flemish Forest
Inventory. The data was complemented by additional measurements in 2023
such as average litter depth, canopy cover estimations with a densiometer,
vegetation surveys, and dead wood surveys using the line-intersect method.
Forest microclimate (forest floor temperature and soil moisture) was
recorded using TMS4-loggers throughout the 2022–2023 growing seasons at a
15-minute time scale and, subsequently, cleaned and aggregated at the
daily scale (daily maximum forest floor temperature and soil volumetric
water content). Macroarthropod activity-density and species richness were
sampled using pitfall traps during the 2022 summer. The pitfall traps were
emptied biweekly between June and October 2022, after which species were
manually identified and counted. Generalized linear mixed models and
piecewise structural equation modelling were used to assess the influence
of forest structure. For a more detailed methodology, we refer to the
related paper. Paper synthesis: To sustain a stable and well-buffered
microclimate, we recommend maintaining canopies as closed as possible.
Even small openings reduce the forest’s ability to buffer temperature,
with canopy covers below 50% leading to temperature amplification. Closed
canopies should be combined with isolated canopy gaps to promote habitat
heterogeneity. Additionally, deadwood amounts should increase to provide
shelter during droughts. This balanced management approach fosters stable
forest microclimates and diverse habitats, supporting long- and short-term
macroarthropod biodiversity in temperate broadleaf forests.