Modelling height–diameter relationships in living Araucaria (Araucariaceae) trees to reconstruct ancient araucarian conifer height

To reconstruct a fossil forest in three dimensions, an accurate estimation of tree height is crucial. However, modelling the height–diameter relationship of ancient trees is difficult, because the trunks of fossil trees are usually fragmentary, which makes direct height measurements impossible. One practical approach for reconstructing ancient tree height is to use growth models based on the height–diameter relationships of the nearest living relatives of the fossil taxa. Here we apply 19 growth models to describe height–diameter relationships of living Araucaria trees for establishing good growth models for ancient Araucariaceae trees. Data come from four living populations of the genus Araucaria: Araucaria bidwillii and A. cunninghamii in Queensland, Australia, and A. cunninghamii and A. hunsteinii in New Guinea. According to an AIC-based model selection, a Power model with an exponent of 0.67 (termed here the modified Mosbrugger model) is the best for each population and for the enti..., We compiled datasets on tree height–diameter information from three Araucaria species: Araucaria bidwillii, A. cunninghamii and A. hunsteinii. These datasets had originally been collected to determine the size composition of natural stands, describe forest structure, or analyse height–diameter relationships. However, standard in each of these studies was taking the diameter at breast height (DBH) of each tree trunk and the height (H) of the respective tree. In our study, we used both measurements to establish the height–diameter growth models presented here., , # Data from: Modelling height–diameter relationships in living *Araucaria* (Araucariaceae) trees to reconstruct ancient araucarian conifer height

We compiled datasets on tree height–diameter information from three *Araucaria* species: *Araucaria bidwillii*, *A. cunninghamii* and *A. hunsteinii*. In total, we collected and analysed the height–diameter data of 157 *Araucaria* trees. These trees grew in different forests of New Guinea and eastern Australia (Queensland).

The goal of this study is to describe height–diameter relationships of living *Araucaria* trees for establishing appropriate growth models for ancient araucarian trees. 19 models were fitted and ranked (see details in the related publication, DOI: 10.1111/pala.12693). 

## Description of the data and file structure

Two variables are included in each dataset, i.e., DBH (diameter at breast height, m) and height (m).

* 157 trees of *Araucaria*, totally (files: Araucaria_NG_and_QLD_sorted, and Auracaria_four_populations...