Liana Removal Experiment Soil Moisture Data, Gigantes Peninsula, Panama, 2011–2014

We measured soil moisture in a seasonal tropical moist forest to determine the effects of liana removal on soil moisture and tree soil water use. The liana removal experiment occurs on the Gigante Peninsula (9.11 N, 79.85 W), which is a part of the Barro Colorado Island Nature Monument, Republic of Panama. We monitored soil moisture in 16 80 x 80 m experimental plots. Eight plots were controls, and the remaining eight plots had all lianas stems cut. In April 2011 we installed 10 Decagon EC5 soil moisture probes in each experimental plot, eight probes at 10 cm depth and two at 40 cm depth. The sensors were installed in groups of five, with the four 10 cm sensors at least 3 m apart and the 40 cm sensor directly below a 10 cm sensor. In June 2013 we upgrade 80 of the 10 cm sensors to Decagon 5TM soil moisture and temperature sensors. Sensors recorded volumetric soil moisture and soil temperature (where possible) hourly. Outliers and malfunctions have been flagged in both the soil moisture and temperature data.