Data from: A multitaxon biodiversity dataset from hemiboreal forests of different stand ages and management histories

Please cite this dataset as: Lõhmus, P., Lõhmus, A., Kraut, A., Remm, L., Kirs, L.A., Palo, A., Pass, E., Rozantseva, E., Zolotarjova, V., Vaikre, M., Runnel, K., 2026. A multitaxon biodiversity dataset from hemiboreal forests of different stand ages and management histories. Data in Brief, 112862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2026.112862 Data descriptionThis dataset compiles standardized multitaxon biodiversity data from >300 forest stands in the European hemiboreal region. It includes species-level abundance data for six species groups — beetles, bryophytes, lichens, polypore fungi, molluscs, and vascular plants — surveyed across a wide range of forest types, stand ages, and management histories. Species identifications are of high taxonomic resolution; for polypores and lichens, morphological determinations were often complemented by DNA barcoding or chemical analyses to ensure accuracy. A subset of stands has been surveyed repeatedly, enabling assessment of temporal changes in forest biodiversity. Study areaEstonia, hemiboreal forest zone. Field sampling was conducted between 2005 and 2025. Data coverageThe dataset covers 338 forest stands (including recent cutover stands) represented by 2-ha plots and includes records of >2200 taxa across six major groups. All six groups were recorded in 16% of the stands, and half of the stands include data for at least three groups, with the most complete coverage for polypores and lichens. The stands represent the major hemiboreal forest types along gradients of dominant tree species and soil fertility, ranging from low-productivity dry Scots pine forests to black alder–dominated swamps, with strong representation of productive Norway spruce–deciduous mixed forests. Stand ages range from recent post-clearcut stages to forests with dominant tree layers exceeding 200 years. Old stands without signs of management are distinctly represented and serve as natural baselines for old-growth biodiversity in the region. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive and representative multitaxon forest biodiversity dataset available from the European hemiboreal zone. MethodsWithin each species group, field sampling was performed by experts and followed consistent standardized protocols across study stands, yielding comparable species-level abundance data.本数据集引用格式如下：Lõhmus, P., Lõhmus, A., Kraut, A., Remm, L., Kirs, L.A., Palo, A., Pass, E., Rozantseva, E., Zolotarjova, V., Vaikre, M., Runnel, K., 2026. 不同林龄与经营历史的半寒带（hemiboreal）森林多类群生物多样性数据集. 《数据简报》(Data in Brief), 112862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2026.112862 数据描述 本数据集汇编了欧洲半寒带（hemiboreal）地区300余个林分的标准化多类群生物多样性数据。数据集涵盖6个物种类群的物种丰度数据——甲虫、苔藓植物、地衣、多孔菌、软体动物以及维管植物——调查覆盖了多样的森林类型、林龄与经营历史。物种鉴定具有较高的分类学分辨率；针对多孔菌与地衣，常结合DNA条形码（DNA barcoding）或化学分析以确保鉴定准确性。部分林分经重复调查，可用于评估森林生物多样性的时间动态变化。 研究区域 爱沙尼亚境内的半寒带（hemiboreal）森林带。野外采样工作于2005年至2025年间开展。 数据覆盖范围 本数据集包含338个林分（含近期采伐迹地），以2公顷样地为调查单元，共记录了6个大类群下的2200余个分类单元。16%的林分完成了全部6个类群的调查，半数林分至少包含3个类群的数据，其中多孔菌与地衣的调查覆盖最为完整。 林分涵盖了沿优势树种与土壤肥力梯度分布的主要半寒带森林类型，从低生产力的干旱苏格兰松林到以欧洲桤木为主的沼泽林，同时包含大量生产力较高的挪威云杉-落叶阔叶混交林。林龄跨度从近期皆伐后的更新阶段至优势乔木层树龄超过200年的成熟林。本研究还专门设置了无经营痕迹的老龄林样地，作为该区域老龄林生物多样性的自然参照基线。 据我们所知，本数据集是目前欧洲半寒带地区最为全面且具代表性的森林多类群生物多样性数据集。 调查方法 针对每个物种类群，均由专业研究人员开展野外采样，并遵循统一的标准化操作规程，从而获得可对比的物种级丰度数据。