Patagonian ecological datasets

matrix.csv_abundace.csv: Species–by–site abundance matrix of the vascular flora sampled along the Patagonian forest–steppe gradient. The dataset comprises 69 plots (rows) –23 sites × 3 within-site replicates–allocated to four communities (Forest, Humid Woodland, Dry Woodland and Steppe) and 155 species (columns), with entries giving the number of individuals of each species recorded per site. This matrix forms the basis for all subsequent taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity analyses presented in the study. predictors.csv: Rows are the 69 vegetation samples (23 sites × 3 within-site replicates). Replicates from the same site share identical geographic coordinates (Longitude, Latitude) and abiotic predictors; hence SiteIDs occur in triplets (e.g., 1–3, 4–6). Columns include soil chemistry (pH; EC_dS_m = electrical conductivity, dS·m⁻¹; TOC_percent; OM_percent; P_mg_per_kg; Total_N_percent), texture (Clay/Silt/Sand, %), climate (Mean_Annual_Temp, °C; Mean_Annual_Precip, mm·yr⁻¹; Temp_Seasonality; Precip_Seasonality; Aridity_Index), and topography (Elev_Range, m), plus community presence as categorical predictors (Dry_Woodland, Forest, Humid_Woodland, Steppe; 0/1). traits.csv: Functional trait dataset for the 155 vascular plant species recorded along the Patagonian forest–steppe gradient. For each species, the table reports mycorrhizal association (MYC), specific leaf area (Leaf_area), nuclear DNA content (1C_value), growth form, woodiness, leaf habit, chromosome number (Chrom_num) and ploidy level (Ploidy). These traits were used to estimate functional diversity (FD). native.calibrated.tre: Time-calibrated phylogenetic tree of the native vascular plant species recorded along the Patagonian forest–steppe gradient. The tree is rooted and ultrametric, with branch lengths proportional to divergence time, and was pruned to match the native species present in the abundance and trait datasets. This phylogeny provides the backbone for all phylogenetic diversity (PD).