Dataset on tree diversity metrics and aboveground carbon storage in Southeastern U.S. oak-pine forests, 2009–2019

This dataset contains measurements of tree structural and taxonomic diversity, stand attributes, and aboveground carbon storage from mixed oak-pine forests in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, located in the southeastern United States. Data were collected from 946 mixed oak-pine, and 7224 longleaf-slash pine and oak-pine Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots respectively spanning the years 2009 to 2019. Variables include aboveground carbon, aboveground biomass, tree density, basal area, stand age, and diversity metrics such as Shannon indices for tree species and diameter-based structural classes. Functional diversity metrics—including functional dominance and functional divergence—are also included. These data were used to support a published study examining the interactive effects of diversity metrics on carbon storage using structural equation modeling. The geographic coverage represents humid subtropical forest regions of the southeastern U.S.