Data from: Vegetation dynamics 1946–2018 in an old-growth conifer forest

We analysed ground vegetation in 250 plots in 2018 in the old-growth Picea
abies-dominated forest Säby Västerskog, SE Sweden as a follow-up of
studies in 1946 and 1998 with the same layout of plots. The vegetation
changes were not clearly directional: the species composition in 2018 was
intermediate between that of 1946 and 1998, whereas in 1998 species
richness was higher and with the unique presence of a number of species
indicating small-scale disturbances. Vaccinium myrtillus increased in
cover since 1946 and Avenella flexuosa decreased. This goes against
regional trends, attributed to climate warming and changes in nitrogen
deposition. Regional changes are overshadowed by fine-scale disturbances
and micro-successions.