Light quality and spatial variability influences on seedling regeneration in Hawaiian lowland wet forests

Tropical forest understories tend to be light-limited. The red-to-far-red ratio (R:FR) is a useful and reliable index of light quality and its spatial variability can influence competition between native and non-native seedlings. While percent light transmittance has been quantified in some Hawaiian lowland wet forests (HLWF), no information exists on how the spatial distribution of understory light varies in relation to species invasion, or if patterns of seedling regeneration and light are linked. We measured the R:FR of light in the understory to assess light quality in three HLWF forest types: native-dominated, partially-invaded, and Psidium cattleyanum- (strawberry guava) dominated to quantify light quality in the understory (0-50 cm height). We also identified relationships between light quality and native and non-native seedling presence, diversity, and abundance. Together, these data can help to determine the restoration potential of HLWF. Linear mixed-effect modeling showed tha..., STUDY SITES
See Table 1 of corresponding publication for list of the 9 lowland wet forest sites. 
 
LIGHT QUALITY DATA COLLECTION AND SPATIAL PATTERNS
 
At each site (n=9), we established a 20 x 80 m plot with an internal grid system measuring 5 x 5 m. This led to 85 points for data collection per site. Light quality measurements taken with a SKR 110 Red / Far-red sensor (SKYE Instruments, London, UK), at five height categories. In a few cases a fallen log or other barrier precluded sampling at a given point/height combination (n = 20 missing points). The collected R:FR light data were assigned local coordinates (x,y,z origin for each plot arbitrarily set at 100/100/0m) and imported into a GIS software program (ArcGIS Pro 3.2, ESRI, Redlands, CA). See corresponding publication for more details
 
SEEDLING PATTERNS
 
All woody seedlings were identified to species, and fern and grass species were grouped together as native or non-native morphospecies. See corresponding publication for deta..., , # Reference Information

## Provenance for this README

* File name: README_Dataset-LightQualitySeedlingRegeneration_v0.1.0.txt
* Authors: Rebecca Ostertag
* Other contributors: Jodie Rosam, Laura Warman, Ryan Perroy, Susan Cordell
* Date created: 2024-05-21
* Date modified: 2024-05-22

## Dataset Version and Release History

* Current Version:
* Number: 1.0.0
* Date: 2024-05-22
* Persistent identifier: [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x95x69pt4](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x95x69pt4)
* Summary of changes: n/a
* Embargo Provenance: n/a
* Scope of embargo: n/a
* Embargo period: n/a

## Dataset Attribution and Usage

* Dataset Title: Data for the article \"Light quality and spatial variability influences on seedling regeneration in Hawaiian lowland wet forests\"
* Persistent Identifier: [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x95x69pt4](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.x95x69pt4)
* Dataset Contributors:
* Creators: Jodie R Rosam, Laura Warma...