Forest composition and diversity buffer microclimates and enhance productivity

The Forest and Biodiversity (FAB2) experiment uses native tree species in varying levels of species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and functional diversity planted in 100 m2 and 400 m2 plots at 1 m spacing, appropriate for testing long-term ecosystem consequences. FAB2 was designed and established in conjunction with a prior experiment (FAB1) in which the same set of twelve species was planted in 16 m2 plots at 0.5 m spacing. Both are adjacent to the BioDIV prairie-grassland diversity experiment, enabling comparative investigations of diversity and ecosystem function relationships between experimental grasslands and forests at different planting densities and plot sizes. This data package examines mortality in the first six years of the experiment. This data package examines the relationships between forest biodiversity, forest structure, microclimates, leaf-level physiology, and tree growth. A wide variety of data types are included, such as metrics of tree diversity, UAV-LiDAR metrics, spectral indices, microclimate data, gas exchange measurements, and tree growth inventories. This data package is included in the submission of the manuscript entitled “Forest composition and diversity buffer microclimates and enhance productivity.”