Full inventory data statistics of the 10 permanent inventory plots installed in the Moni river transects

The tropical forests of the Congo Basin are characterised by an unusual
abundance of light-demanding species in the canopy. To investigate the
origin of this phenomenon, ten permanent biodiversity monitoring plots
were installed in the Moni River catchment (Yangambi, Democratic Republic
of the Congo). A previous study was carried out to investigate the spatial
distribution of these light-demanding species within this catchment. For
the purpose of this study, light-demanding species were classified into
three functional types: short-lived pioneers (SLP), long-lived pioneers
(LLP) and non-pioneer light-demanding species (NPLD). In
addition, Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, a particular shade-tolerant
species, was included as a control. This prior study identified
highlighted pockets of light-demanding species from each functional type,
as well as pockets of G. dewevrei. Within these pockets, permanent plots
were installed: one plot in SLP pockets, three plots in LLP pockets, two
plots in NPLD pockets, two plots in mixed forest areas outside pockets,
and two plots in G. dewevrei pockets. The dataset presented here provides
the number of stems inventoried for each species and functional type in
each plot installed throughout the Moni catchment.