Data on composition and structure of trees inside and outside of forests in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: comparisons among conservation areas, fencerows, and municipal parks

Many studies of tropical forest ecology occur in protected areas such as
national parks.  We have a limited understanding of the
composition and structure of trees in areas outside forests, such as urban
areas or along roads. Here we report three datasets that are critical for
understanding how tree communities differ in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Our
data allow the user to contrast trees in three different land-use types
that represent a rural to urban gradient: forests inside conservation
areas (20 plots), fencerows (68 plots), and municipal parks (36
parks).  We measured and identified trees >7cm
diameter in addition to collecting ancillary data such as plot area (in
hectares) and canopy cover (in percent). We also collated information for
each identified species on functional characteristics including: status as
native to Guanacaste, Costa Rica, leaf habit (evergreen, deciduous, or
other) and whether the tree species produces fruit that are edible for
humans. Collectively, these data allow the user to calculate stand-level
properties such as basal area and percentage of the tree community that is
evergreen.