Replication data for UV radiation and reduced rainfall: Legacy effects on litter and first-year decomposition in two Mediterranean evergreen shrubs

<p>This dataset contains the results of a field experiment assessing the combined effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation (UV-A and UV-B) and reduced rainfall on litter decomposition in two Mediterranean evergreen shrub species: Arbutus unedo and Phillyrea angustifolia. The aim is to evaluate how these climate change-related factors influence initial litter quality, mass loss, and microbial activity during the first year of decomposition.</p>
<p>The dataset includes:</p>
<p>• Repeated measurements of remaining biomass (%AFDW), enzymatic activities (β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, peroxidase), and relative abundance of fungi and bacteria at different time points (0, 33, 117, 237, and 347 days for A. unedo and 0, 117, and 347 days for P. angustifolia).</p>
<p>• Litter quality variables (fiber, cellulose, lignin, carbon and nitrogen content, C:N ratio) at the beginning and end of the decomposition period.</p>
<p>• Experimental factors: three UV radiation levels (UV0, UVA, UVBA) and two rainfall regimes (natural and reduced), applied in 9 m² plots over six years.</p>
<p>• Additional data on decomposition rate (k) for pretreated litter.</p>
<p>Scope and nature: The data are quantitative, derived from a factorial field experiment with repeated measures. They are relevant for studies on soil ecology, nutrient cycling, climate change impacts on Mediterranean ecosystems, and decomposition modeling.</p>
<p>Relation to the publication: This dataset complements the article “UV radiation and reduced rainfall: Legacy effects on litter and first-year decomposition in two Mediterranean evergreen shrubs” (Rodríguez-Hidalgo et al., 2025, Environmental and Experimental Botany), but the description here focuses on the dataset content and structure rather than the study results or conclusions.</p>