DOI: 10.5285/8c997943-1f90-4897-87b3-491eaef534ec
title: Insect, plant and tree data from woodland restoration sites in Central Scotland, 2021 and English Midlands, 2022 

description: In 2021 and 2022 a total of 60 broadleaved woodland restoration sites from Central Scotland (2021) and English Midlands (2022) and a further six wildcard sites made up of ancient woodlands (2 in Scotland and 2 in England) and rewilding sites (2 in England) were surveyed to calculate metrics of ecological complexity from biodiversity and habitat structure data. In each woodland, we monitored ground flora (surveyed using quadrats), adult trees (within circular plots), tree seedlings and saplings (transects), volume of deadwood (measured within transects), canopy cover estimations, invertebrates on understorey vegetation (surveyed by tray beating) and (mostly) flying invertebrates (surveyed using Malaise traps).  Information on site characteristics were collected, including age of the restoration site, former land-use and features of the surrounding landscape.
description: Basic field instruments were used to mark plot positions (GPS), set out the plots (20 m tape measures), measure the adult trees and volume of deadwood (diameter at breast height (DBH) measuring tape) and collect invertebrate samples (tray beating kit and Malaise trap). 
In each site, five circular plots (radius 10 m) were established with their centres randomly decided in advance using ArcGIS. Sampling of our 30 Scottish woodland restorations sites occurred in 2021, for our 30 English woodland restoration sites and our six wildcards, sampling occurred in 2022.  Data processing and lab-based identification continued into 2023.  Plants:  Ten 2 x 2 m quadrats were undertaken, two per circular plot.  The presence or absence of all vascular plant species found within the quadrat was recorded. Tree richness and structure:  The diameter-at-breast height (dbh; 1.3m) was recorded for all large trees ≥7 cm dbh within the 10 m radius plot and all small trees ≥4<7 cm dbh were measured within a sub-plot of 3 m radius. All trees were identified to genus. Tree sapling and seedlings: Tree saplings <4 cm dbh and above 50 cm in height were identified to genus and the number of individuals counted within 1 m either side of a 20 m transect running through the plot centre, with tree seedlings below 50 cm in height identified and counted within 0.5 m either side the 20 m transect. Deadwood: In each plot, all deadwood within a 4 x 20 m transect running North-South was measured and both the rate of decay and type of deadwood recorded. Canopy cover: In each plot, three canopy cover measurements were taken at the plot centre and above each quadrat (15 per site) using ‘PercentageCover’ application (available to download for iOS devices at percentagecover.com). Understorey invertebrates: Invertebrate communities in trees (>1.5 m in height) were sampled using beating trays (110×86 cm tray and 10 seconds beating) at two points per plot (n=10/site). Each woodland was surveyed twice (c. 8 weeks apart).  Invertebrates in Malaise traps: A Malaise trap was deployed twice in each woodland for one week at a time to survey (mostly) flying invertebrates. Site characteristics:  Site location was recorded using GPS.  Information on site history (including site age and former land-use) was recorded based on historic maps and information from landowners.  Surrounding land use cover was recorded based on the UCKCEH Landcover Map.
All field workers had previous experience in either botany or entomology as well as undergoing extensive training in the species encounter.  Data was collected in the field using pre-prepared data sheets. Data sheets were checked both visually before digital data entry, and any suspected errors were checked with raw field data sheets.  
Not all identifications are to species level with this varying depending on taxonomic expertise.