DOI: 10.5061/dryad.0cfxpnwfs
title: Data from: Cyanobacterial colonization on epilithic mosses in degraded karst ecosystem: The role of moss traits and environmental factors

description: This dataset supports research on moss-cyanobacteria associations and
 their role in nitrogen fixation within nitrogen-limited degraded karst
 ecosystems. The moss-cyanobacteria symbiosis provides novel nitrogen
 inputs to nutrient-poor environments, playing a significant role in
 nitrogen cycling and ecological restoration. Data were collected during
 November 2022 from 45 plots across three elevation gradients (525 ±25 m,
 875 ± 25 m, and 1225 ± 25 m) in the Guizhou Karst Mountain Land Ecology
 and Land Use Observation and Research Station. The dataset includes
 cyanobacterial colonization metrics (colonization rates on branches/leaves
 and biomass via phycocyanin extraction), moss trait data (37 species with
 morphological, physiological, and chemical characteristics), environmental
 variables (elevation, rocky desertification degree, light/UV-A radiation,
 temperature, and pH), and cyanobacterial diversity (78 species
 morphologically identified and categorized functionally). Key findings
 indicate moss species identity, nitrogen content, and pH as critical
 colonization determinants, with elevation showing strong negative effects
 while karst degradation level demonstrated no significant impact. All
 analyses were conducted using R software (v4.4.1). Complete R scripts are
 provided for full reproducibility. This dataset offers valuable insights
 into plant-microbe interactions and facilitates restoration strategies in
 degraded karst ecosystems.
description: # Data from: Cyanobacterial colonization on epilithic mosses in degraded
 karst ecosystem: The role of moss traits and environmental factors Dataset
 DOI: [10.5061/dryad.0cfxpnwfs](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.0cfxpnwfs) ##
 Description of the data and file structure Fieldwork was conducted in a
 karst ecosystem in November 2022. We collected 264 moss samples from rock
 surfaces across 45 plots at three elevation levels (525 ± 25 m, 875 ± 25
 m, 1225 ± 25 m) representing different rocky desertification
 degrees. Measurements included: 1) environmental factors (light, UV-A,
 temperature); 2) moss traits (37 species identification, photosynthetic
 pigments, water retention); 3) cyanobacterial colonization (colonization
 rates via microscopy, biomass via phycocyanin); 4) nutrient content (C, N,
 P); and 5) cyanobacterial diversity (78 species identification). All
 analyses were conducted with appropriate replicates to ensure data
 quality. ### Files and variables #### File: Randomforest_BCR.zip
 **Description:** The file "Randomforest_BCR.zip" contains data
 and scripts used to identify key factors influencing the cyanobacterial
 colonization rate on moss branches using a Random Forest model. Included
 in the zip file are the complete R code (compatible with R version 4.6–14)
 required to run the analysis, as well as all necessary data tables.
 Variable names in the data tables are abbreviated for convenience. A
 detailed description of each variable, including full names and units, is
 provided in the "Variables" section of the README file. ####
 File: Randomforest_CB.zip **Description:** The file
 "Randomforest_CB.zip" contains data and scripts used to identify
 key factors influencing cyanobacterial biomass (estimated via phycocyanin
 content) on moss branches using a Random Forest model. Included in the zip
 file are the complete R code (compatible with R version 4.6–14) required
 to run the analysis, as well as all necessary data tables. Variable names
 in the data tables are abbreviated for convenience. A detailed description
 of each variable, including full names and units, is provided in the
 "Variables" section of the README file. #### File:
 Randomforest_LCR.zip **Description:** The file
 "Randomforest_LCR.zip" contains data and scripts used to
 identify key factors influencing the cyanobacterial colonization rate on
 moss leaves using a Random Forest model. Included in the zip file are the
 complete R code (compatible with R version 4.6–14) required to run the
 analysis, as well as all necessary data tables. Variable names in the data
 tables are abbreviated for convenience. A detailed description of each
 variable, including full names and units, is provided in the
 "Variables" section of the README file. #### File:
 Correlation_Heatmap_All.zip **Description:** The file
 "Correlation_Heatmap_All.zip" contains data and scripts used to
 perform Spearman's correlation analysis between key colonization
 characteristics of cyanobacteria (including cyanobacterial colonization
 rate and biomass) and two distinct sets of variables: environmental
 factors and moss traits. Included in the zip file are the complete R code
 (compatible with R version 4.6–14) required to generate the correlation
 heatmaps, as well as all necessary data tables. Variable names in the data
 tables are abbreviated for convenience. A detailed description of each
 variable, including full names and units, is provided in the
 "Variables" section of the README file. #### File:
 All_datas.xlsx **Description:** The file "All_datas.xlsx"
 contains all the original data collected in this study. The dataset
 includes a combination of fully spelled-out variables—such as Code, Moss
 family, Moss genus, Moss species, and Colonized cyanobacteria species—as
 well as abbreviated variables for other parameters. A comprehensive
 description of all variables, including full names and units where
 applicable, is provided in the "Variables" section of the README
 file. ##### Variables | 
 
 | 
 
 | 
 
 | 
 
 | | :-------------------------------------------- | :------------ |
 :------------------------------------------- | :-------------- | |   |
 Abbreviations | Full name | Unit | | Colonization characteristics of
 cyanobacteria | BCR | Cyanobacterial colonization rate on branches | % | |
 
 
 | LCR | Cyanobacterial colonization rate on leaves | % | | 
 
 | CB | Cyanobacterial biomass | mg g ^-1^ | | Environmental factors | KRD
 | Degree of karst rocky desertification |   | | 
 
 | El | Elevation | m | | 
 
 | Sl | Slope | ° | | 
 
 | RA | Rock angle | ° | | 
 
 | AT | Atmospheric temperature | ℃ | | 
 
 | AH | Atmospheric humidity | % | | 
 
 | Ra | Rainfall | mm | | 
 
 | RST | Rock surface temperature | ℃ | | 
 
 | LI | Light intensity | ×1000 Lx | | 
 
 | UV-A | Ultraviolet A radiation | ×100 μW·cm ^-2^ | | Moss traits | LL |
 Leaf length | μm | | 
 
 | LW | Leaf width | μm | | 
 
 | LA | Leaf area | μm^2^ | | 
 
 | NWC | Natural water content | % | | 
 
 | MWC | Maximum water content | % | | 
 
 | Chl a+b | Chlorophyll a + chlorophyll b content | mg g ^-1^ | | 
 
 | C | Carbon content | mg g ^-1^ | | 
 
 | N | Nitrogen content | mg g ^-1^ | | 
 
 | P | Phosphorus content | mg g ^-1^ | | 
 
 | pH | pH |   | | 
 
 | C:N | Carbon-nitrogen ratio |   | | 
 
 | C:P | Carbon-phosphorus ratio |   | ## Code/software All statistical
 analyses were performed using R software (version 4.6-14). The complete R
 code for reproducing all analyses is provided with the dataset.