Source Data for "Land-use legacy interacts with patch size to shape forest herb-layer functional diversity and trait–ecosystem coupling"

This dataset is the source data for the research paper “Land-use legacy interacts with patch size to shape forest herb-layer functional diversity and trait–ecosystem coupling”, authored by A. Fescenko, J. Liira, T. Wohlgemuth, M. Lūkins, B. Bambe and G. Brūmelis. It contains vegetation, environmental, and trait data used to assess how past land use and forest patch size shape biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Field data were collected from 70 circular plots (0.1 ha) located in mixed oak forests with seven contrasting land-use histories in the Zemgale region, southern Latvia (2014-2016). The dataset includes: Environmental data (Factors_of_Table_R.csv) – tree basal area, aboveground biomass, dead wood, tree litter quality, regeneration, canopy cover, canopy closure, invasive species, natural disturbances, stand layer richness, species richness, forest spatial and temporal continuity, as well as 11 stand and landscape context characteristics for each plot. Species data (Species_of_Table_L.csv) – abundance data for 219 species of herb, shrub, and tree layers for each plot. Trait data (Traits_of_Table_Q.csv) – life form, Grime strategy, growth rate, plant height, leaf phenology, SLA, LDMC, LNC, LPC, mycorrhizal type, dispersal, seed mass, seed number per shoot, clonal growth organs, Ellenberg values, as well as region-specific indicators (e.g. ancient forest and WKH species). This dataset supports analyses of forest biodiversity, functional ecology, and land-use legacy effects in temperate ecosystems. For further details, refer to the journal article: “Land-use legacy interacts with patch size to shape forest herb-layer functional diversity and trait–ecosystem coupling.” Please cite this dataset as:Fescenko, A., Liira, J., Wohlgemuth, T., Lūkins, M., Bambe, B., & Brūmelis, G. (2025). Source data for: Land-use legacy interacts with patch size to shape forest herb-layer functional diversity and trait–ecosystem coupling [Dataset]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17381109