DIRT data for forest soil carbon, nutrients and microbes

In this dataset, we collected 3193 observations from 166 forest DIRT (Detritus Input and Removal Treatment) experiments worldwide. This dataset includes four detritus treatments of litter addition, litter removal (aboveground litter excluded from plots), root removal (roots excluded from plots by trenching) and no inputs (removal of both litter and roots), and covers multiple variables of belowground process. Specifically, the variables include soil pH and bulk density, soil carbon and fractions, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), microbial community (biomass and composition), soil respiration and soil organic matter decomposition. This dataset also includes site and treatment information of these DIRT experiments, such as, location, climatic factors (temperature and precipitation), soil types, litter input rates and total litter input, experimental durations, litter types (broadleaf, conifer, and mixed litter from broadleaf and conifer trees) and litter treatment modes. Treatment modes for aboveground litter refer to addition or removal of only fresh litterfall (fresh) or both fresh litterfall and forest floor material at the beginning (floor+fresh).<br>