A dataset of water content of litter layer in 4 typical forest ecosystems of Xishuangbanna (2017-2023)

The litter layer is an important ground cover of forest ecosystems and plays a significant role in hydrological cycle of these systems. Different vegetation types exhibit varying water-holding capacities in their litter layers, and the water content of litter layer is crucial for the fulfillment of its ecological functions. The water content of the litter layer is a key indicator in the long-term monitoring of water environments in terrestrial ecosystem of Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN). This dataset publicly reports the water content of the litter layer of four typical forest types in Xishuangbanna from 2017 to 2023, which contains tropical seasonal rain forest, tropical secondary forest, limestone monsoon forest, and secondary evergreen broad-leaf forest. The dataset comprises a total of 2220 entries, with measurements taken using the drying method and the observation frequency of once per month. The observation method is conducted in accordance with the requirements for litter layer moisture content observation in forest ecosystems as specified in the "Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) Long-term Observation Specifications." After data collection and entry, the completeness, accuracy, and consistency of the data are checked before use. This dataset provids foundational data support for evaluating the eco-hydrological effects and service functions of typical tropical forest vegetation.