DOI: 10.5683/sp3/x76dwo
title: An integrated plot-level dataset of forest structure, traits, and soil carbon from the Bangladesh Sundarbans

description: The dataset is comprised of seven interrelated comma-separated values (CSV) files. The plot_unique_code serves as a primary key to link data across most files.

1. species_list.csv
Description: Provides a comprehensive taxonomic and ecological reference for all plant species identified during the field surveys.

Key Columns:

scientific_name_full: Full scientific name with author citation.
ncbl_id: NCBI Taxonomy ID for standardized referencing.
family: Plant family.
growth_form: The life form of the species (e.g., Tree, Shrub).
status: Ecological status (e.g., mangrove associate).
IUCN: The IUCN Red List conservation status.


2. plot_info.csv
Description: Contains general metadata and environmental characteristics for each of the 62 sampling plots.

Key Columns:

plot_unique_code: Unique identifier for each plot.
elevation: Plot elevation in meters (m).
canopy_cover_per: Canopy cover percentage (%).
Tiger Footprint: Categorical data on the observation of tiger footprints.
Drainage: Description of the soil drainage condition.
Disturbance: Description of observed disturbance indicators.

3. sundarban_plot_data.csv
Description: Contains the core tree inventory data for all individual woody stems with a Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) of ≥5 cm.

Key Columns:

tree_id: Unique identifier for each tree within a plot.
scientific_name: Species scientific name.
DBH_cm: Diameter at breast height in centimeters (cm).
Height_m: Total tree height in meters (m).
X_position, Y_position: Cartesian coordinates of the tree's position within the plot.


4. subplot_regeneration.csv

Description: Provides data on seedling and sapling regeneration from nested subplots within each main plot.

Key Columns:

subplot_unique_code: Unique identifier for each regeneration subplot.
regen_count: Total number of individual seedlings/saplings of a given species.
collar_dia_mm: Stem collar diameter in millimeters (mm).
height_cm: Regeneration stem height in centimeters (cm).


5. IVI_results.csv

Description: Contains pre-calculated species importance values derived from the tree inventory data, summarizing community structure.

Key Columns:

rel_density: Relative density (%).
rel_freq: Relative frequency (%).
rel_dom: Relative dominance (%, based on basal area).
IVI: The calculated Importance Value Index (sum of the three relative metrics).


6. trait_species.csv

Description: Compiles measurements for a suite of functional traits for the species identified across the plots.

Key Columns:

SLA_cm2/g: Specific Leaf Area (cm2g−1).
LDMC_g/kg: Leaf Dry Matter Content (g kg-1).
leaf_carbon_g/cm2: Leaf carbon content (gcm−2).
leaf_nitrogen_mg_N_per_g_dryleafmass: Leaf nitrogen content (mgNg−1).
leaf_stomatal_density_persqmm: Stomatal density (no.mm−2).
leaf_guard_cell_length_umeter: Guard cell length (µm).
WD_gm/cm3: Wood Density (gcm−3).


7. soil_sundarban.csv

Description: Provides depth-resolved soil physical and chemical properties from five depth intervals (0–10, 11–20, 21–30, 31–50, and 51–100 cm).

Key Columns:

MC_L1(%) to MC_L5(%): Soil Moisture Content (%) for each layer.
BD_...: Bulk Density (gcm−3).
pH_L1 to pH_L5: Soil pH for each layer.
C%_L1 to C%_L5: Soil Organic Carbon (%) for each layer.
N%_L1 to N%_L5: Total Nitrogen (%) for each layer.
EC L1(mS/cm) to EC L5(mS/cm): Electrical Conductivity (mScm−1) for each layer.
Clay%, Silt%, Sand%: Particle-size fractions.