A dataset of monthly litter recovery from desert grassland in southern Tarim Basin during 2010-2020

Cele National Field Science Observation and Research Station of Desert Grassland Ecosystem of Xinjiang (Cele Station), Chinese Academy of Science, is located in the southern margin of Tarim Basin, south by Kunlun Mountains, north by the largest Taklimakan desert in our country. With the characteristics of simple vegetation community and slow accumulation of soil organic matter, litter is an important source of nutrients in this area. Based on the long-term observation of desert plant communities in Cele station, we collected the monthly dynamic data of litter recovery in desert grassland from the southern Tarim Basin during 2010 to 2020. By grouping plant organs (branches, leaves, and fruits), the monthly dynamic data of litter recovery in the observation site and plot were sorted out, and the annual changes of community and soil nutrients were recorded. Data were generated in strict accordance with CERN bio-observation specifications. Data review and quality control were completed by the quality control personnel of the station and sub-center. Our results would provide basic data for further study of litter dynamics in desert grassland from southern Tarim Basin, and theoretical support for understanding and assessing nutrient cycling in hyper–arid desert ecosystems.

中国科学院新疆荒漠草原生态系统国家野外科学观测研究站（策勒站，Cele Station）坐落于塔里木盆地南缘，南邻昆仑山脉，北接我国最大的塔克拉玛干沙漠。该区域植被群落结构简单，土壤有机质积累速率缓慢，枯落物是当地重要的养分来源。依托策勒站对荒漠植物群落的长期观测工作，研究团队采集了2010至2020年塔里木盆地南缘荒漠草原的枯落物归还月动态数据。研究团队按照植物器官（枝条、叶片、果实）对样品进行分类分组，整理了观测点与样地内枯落物归还的月动态数据，并记录了群落与土壤养分的年际变化。数据严格按照中国生态系统研究网络（CERN）生物观测规范生成。数据审核与质量控制工作由该站及分中心的质控人员完成。本数据集可为塔里木盆地南缘荒漠草原枯落物动态的后续研究提供基础数据，同时为理解和评估超干旱荒漠生态系统的养分循环提供理论支撑。