Plot information for the Main Experiment at the Jena Experiment site

The Main Experiment of the Jena Experiment was established in spring 2002 to investigate how plant species richness and functional composition affect ecosystem processes such as element cycling and trophic interactions. This dataset provides detailed information on the experimental design and initial community setup of the Main Experiment.

The primary data include plot and block identifiers, the sown plant species composition for each plot, as well as information on species richness and functional group composition. The dataset was created to provide a standardized, machine-readable record of the Main Experiment layout and species assignments, enabling accurate linkage with ecological and biogeochemical measurements collected across studies. It serves as a foundational reference for analyses of biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships within and beyond the Jena Experiment.