Dataset: Riparian Habitat Type and Litter Quality Interactively Shape Litter Decomposition

This dataset contains initial leaf litter traits and decomposition measurements from an incubation experiment involving 25 tree species native to the riparian zone of a tropical coastal lagoon. The study investigates how habitat context and litter quality interactively control mass loss and nutrient cycling in critical ecological transition zones. The field experiment was conducted within the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). It compares decomposition dynamics across two distinct, adjacent ecotonal habitats: Aquatic sites: Permanently inundated areas within the pristine, black-water Jurubatiba lagoon. Terrestrial sites: Dry, oligotrophic areas within the adjacent seasonally dry restinga forest fringe. Key Variables Included Species: 25 tree species from the restinga ecosystem. Habitat Context: Incubation environment (Aquatic vs. Terrestrial). Initial Litter Traits: Characterization of the leaf litter prior to incubation. Decomposition Metrics: Litter mass loss (%ML) Nitrogen loss (%NL) Phosphorus loss (%PL)