Total organic carbon, total nitrogen, and classes of phosphorus compounds in Mediterranean soils under different land uses and soil depth.

This dataset includes physicochemical and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) spectroscopy data from two soil types (acidic vs. calcareous), different soil depths, and various land uses, all under Mediterranean conditions. The following parameters were measured: Soil pH Total organic carbon Total nitrogen Phosphorus extrated with anion-exchange membranes (AEM) Total P in NaOH-EDTA extract Organic P in NaOH-EDTA extract Inorganic P from 31P-NMR Phosphorus compound class: monoesters Phosphorus compound class: diesters Phosphorus compound class: phospholipids Phosphorus compound class: DNA Diesters-to-monoesters ratio Total P (ignition method) Inorganic (acid-extractable) P Organic P The data allow for an in-depth assessment of how land use, soil type, and soil depth jointly influence the distribution of organic carbon, nitrogen, and specific phosphorus compounds in Mediterranean soils. The significance of this study lies in its methodology —linking field, laboratory, and modelling data in one analysis— and in its generalizable results for Mediterranean soils and other regions affected by land use change and soil degradation. Potential applications:This dataset may be of interest to researchers in soil ecology, biogeochemistry, applied spectroscopy, carbon science, and soil degradation processes.