Dataset of monthly and annual litterfall recovery in different succession stages of evergreen broad-leaved forest in Tiantong (2008-2017)

Litter production is an important part of the matter cycle of forest ecosystems. It plays an important role in maintaining forest soil fertility and promoting ecosystem nutrient cycling. Litter production is also an important indicator for the quantification of ecosystem function such as forest productivity and carbon balance. This dataset was collected from two observation plots in Zhejiang Tiantong National Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station. The community succession types in the above two plots belong to the middle-late stage and mature stage of evergreen broad-leaved forest succession, respectively. The projected area of each plot is 50 m × 50 m. 27 litter traps of 0.5 m2 were set in each plot. Litter components (branches, leaves, flowers (fruits), bark and debris) were collected and counted. The dataset contains the monthly and annual recovery amounts of each component and total amount of litter in the two plots from 2008 to 2018. The data quality has been controlled and evaluated by comparing the original paper records and comparing the dynamic trend of data in the same period. This dataset can provide basic information for understanding the changes of ecosystem structure and function during the succession process of evergreen broad-leaved forest, and also provide data support for studying of the impact of regional climate change on forest ecosystem and the evaluation of carbon balance in the zone of evergreen broad-leaved forest.