Dataset: Species mixing enhances resource uptake capacity rather than efficiency through changes in fine root traits in plantations: Evidence from a meta-analysis

This comprehensive dataset was compiled from relevant literature on the influence of species mixing on fine root traits, covering peer-reviewed studies published until September 2024, by utilizing the Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. We used different keyword combinations, such as (“fine root” OR “fine root traits” OR “root biomass” OR “root length density” OR “specific root length” OR “specific surface area” OR “surface area density” OR “root nitrogen”) AND (“mixed plantation” OR “mixed forests” OR “mixed species” AND “pure plantation” OR “pure forests” OR “monoculture” OR “single species”). All sources and data were extensively assessed using the following criteria to reduce the uncertainty of the data: (1) The study was conducted in plantation ecosystems within China and included only field sampling experiments, excluding potting and greenhouse cultivation research.; (2) The study must include both the treatment group (mixed plantation) and the control group (monoculture plantation) under the same site conditions; (3) Data that include other influencing factors, such as nitrogen addition, will be excluded; (4) If multiple root diameters are reported, only roots with a diameter less than or equal to 2 mm are considered. The article search was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Following an exhaustive literature search, we obtained 839 paired observations from 65 peer‐reviewed articles. When data were presented in figures, specific values were extracted using Getdata software 2.22 (GetData, Kogarah, NSW, AUS).

Note:

In the 'Soil class' column, "1", "2", "3", "4", and "5" represent the soil orders Alfisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Oxisols, and Ultisols, respectively. In the 'Leaf_morphology ' column, "1", "2", and "3" represent multispecies plantations containing only needle-leaved species, multispecies plantations containing only broad-leaved species, and multispecies plantations containing both needle-leaved and broad-leaved species, respectively. In the 'Leaf_life_span ' column, "1", "2", and "3" represent multispecies plantations containing only evergreen species, multispecies plantations containing only deciduous species, and multispecies plantations containing both evergreen and deciduous species, respectively. In the 'Nitrogen_acquisition_strategy ' column, "1", and "2" represent multispecies plantations containing only non–nitrogen-fixing species, and multispecies plantations containing both nitrogen-fixing and non–nitrogen-fixing species, respectively. In the 'Mycorrhiza_Composition ' column, "1", "2", and "3" represent multispecies plantations containing only ectomycorrhizal species, multispecies plantations containing only arbuscular mycorrhizal species, and multispecies plantations containing both arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal species, respectively.