The data of mineral composition, elemental content, and Li isotope ratios in Devonian paleosols of Qujing, south China

The Qujing area in Yunnan, China represents the type locality for non-marine Devonian strata in China. To evaluate how Devonian vascular plant radiation influenced chemical weathering and climate, we analyzed mineralogical composition, major and trace elemental geochemistry, and Li isotopes in bulk samples and clay fractions from Lower Devonian paleosols—including cycle 33 of the Xujiachong Formation.The data shows that weathering was generally moderate but increased significantly during a short phase in the early Pragian stage, coinciding with a rapid rise in early plant diversity.