Tree diversity increases carbon stocks and fluxes above but not belowground in a tropical forest experiment

The database contains the data and code that support the findings of the above study. Specifically, the database contains data on ten carbon (C) stocks and fluxes, namely aboveground tree C (AGC), tree coarse root C (CRC), coarse woody debris C (CWDC), C in herbaceous biomass (herbaceousC), leaf litter C production (litterC), soil organic C (SOC), leaf litter decomposition, root decomposition, soil microbial biomass C (Cmic), and soil respiration. In addition, we included canopy opening as a co-variable, with potentially important influences on C stocks and fluxes.

Methods
Data were measured in the Sardinilla tree diversity experiment in Panama (TreeDivNet - Sardinilla (Panama) (ugent.be)) during three periods of plantation development: an early (2001 for SOC and 2005, 2006 & 2007 for the other variables), a mid (2011, 2012 & 2013), and a late period (2016 & 2017). The experiment features 22 plots consisting of monocultures, 2-species, 3-species, and 5-species mixtures of the native tree species Luehea seemannii Triana & Planch (Ls), Anacardium excelsum (Bert. & Balb. Ex Kunth) Skeels (Ae), Hura crepitans L. (Hc), Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC. (Tr), and Cedrela odorata L. (Co). Details on the experimental design and the measurements can be found in the paper.