Data from: Large-scale bryomonitoring of atmospheric trace elements in eastern Canada: Spatial patterns, ecological risk, and environmental drivers
Data files
Jul 29, 2026 version files 1.07 MB
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forest_class.csv
12.28 KB
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forest_composition.csv
293.60 KB
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forest_cover_area.csv
565.78 KB
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README.md
5.54 KB
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readme.xlsx
24.53 KB
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RI_individual_TE.csv
33.50 KB
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RI_sum.csv
5.62 KB
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road_distance.csv
6.41 KB
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site_coordinates.csv
5.66 KB
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site_level_data.csv
10.84 KB
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soil_densiometer.csv
22.65 KB
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TE_concentrations.csv
59.69 KB
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variables_env_spatial.csv
25.51 KB
Abstract
This dataset provides environmental, ecological, and geochemical measurements collected from sites in eastern Canada. This data was used in a province-wide bryomonitoring survey of atmospheric deposition. The data are organized across multiple linked tables and include site coordinates, environmental and spatial variables, forest composition and structure, soil properties, and trace element concentrations measured in moss samples. Derived variables such as ecological risk indices for individual trace elements and their combined values are also included. The dataset contains site‑level information on geographic location, climate (e.g., precipitation), topography (slope and orientation), and vegetation structure (basal area, canopy openness, forest type). Forest datasets include species‑level measurements such as tree identity and diameter at breast height, as well as structural metrics derived from basal area and cover. Soil variables include organic layer depth, pH, and canopy openness measured using densiometer readings. Geochemical data consist of concentrations of multiple elements (e.g., As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) expressed in µg g⁻¹, alongside calculated ecological risk metrics. The dataset is structured using a consistent site identifier across all tables.
Detailed methods can be found in the associated paper, as well as in Mia Courville-Todorov's MSc thesis (Université de Moncton, 2026).
This dataset contains environmental, ecological, and geochemical measurements collected at bryomonitoring sites in eastern Canada.
The dataset is organized into multiple CSV files linked by a common site identifier (site).
See the Excel README workbook (readme.xlsx) for detailed variable descriptions, units, permitted values, examples, and additional notes.
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Files and Variables
1. site_coordinates.csv
Geographic coordinates of each sampling site.
File format: Semicolon-delimited CSV file (;)
- site: Unique site identifier (unit: none)
- lat: Latitude (decimal degrees, °)
- long: Longitude (decimal degrees, °)
2. variables_env_spatial.csv
Environmental and spatial context variables.
File format: Comma-delimited CSV file (,)
- site: Unique site identifier (unit: none)
- gps_lat, gps_long: Geographic coordinates (decimal degrees, °)
- distance: Distance to nearest road (meters, m)
- MAP: Mean Annual Precipitation (millimeters, mm)
- PAS: Annual Snowfall (centimeters, cm)
- terre: Land type (Protected Natural Area, Crown Land, National Park, unit: none)
- pente: Slope (range from 0-10; a value of 1 = 10% slope)
- orientation: Downslope direction (N, S, E, W; unit: none)
- densiometre: Canopy openness (percentage, %)
- OL_depth: Organic layer depth (centimeters, cm)
- pH: Soil pH (unit: none)
- tot: Total basal area (cm² per site)
- PercCon: Percent coniferous basal area (%)
- PerDec: Percent deciduous basal area (%)
- PerShrub: Percent shrub basal area (%)
- ForestType: Forest classification (categorical; three forest types: Coniferous, Deciduous, Mixed. The term "Justeechantillon", from French meaning "Only sampled", refers to a site where tree composition was not assessed and only mosses were sampled)
- SurficialGeo_simplified: Surficial geology (categorical; Organic, Till, Glacioaquatic, Alluvial, Bedrock)
- Lithology_simplified: Bedrock type (categorical; Carbonate, Clastic, Felsic, Mafic, TerrestrialSediments)
3. site_level_data.csv
Sampling metadata.
File format: Comma-delimited CSV file (,)
- date: Sampling date (dd-mm-yyyy)
- site: Unique site identifier (unit: none)
- quadrat: Quadrat identifier (unit: none)
- sampled_land: Land type (Protected Natural Area, Crown Land, National Park, unit: none)
- sample_ID: Sample identifier (unit: none)
- lat, long: Coordinates (decimal degrees, °)
- slope: Slope (range from 0-10; a value of 1 = 10% slope)
- slope_orientation: Direction (N, S, E, W)
4. forest_class.csv
Vegetation structure and classification.
File format: Comma-delimited CSV file (,)
- site: Unique site identifier (unit: none)
- tot: Total basal area (cm² per site)
- Conifer: Conifer basal area (cm²)
- Deciduous: Deciduous basal area (cm²)
- Shrub: Shrub basal area (cm²)
- PercCon, PerDec, PerShrub: Relative proportions (%)
- ForestType: Forest class (categorical; Coniferous, Deciduous, Mixed, OpenDry)
5. forest_composition.csv
Tree-level composition data.
File format: Semicolon-delimited CSV file (;)
- site: Unique site identifier (unit: none)
- espece: Species code (Genus + species abbreviation)
- dhp (DBH): Diameter at breast height (centimeters, cm)
6. forest_cover_area.csv
Tree structural characteristics.
File format: Comma-delimited CSV file (,)
- site: Unique site identifier (unit: none)
- espece: Species code (Genus + species abbreviation)
- type: Vegetation type (conifer (con), deciduous (feu), shrub)
- rayon: Radius at breast height (centimeters, cm)
- aire: Surface area (square centimeters, cm²)
7. road_distance.csv
Distance to nearest road.
File format: Semicolon-delimited CSV file (;)
- site: Unique identifier (unit: none)
- lat, long: Coordinates (decimal degrees, °)
- distance: Distance to nearest road (meters, m)
8. soil_densiometer.csv
Soil and canopy measurements.
File format: Comma-delimited CSV file (,)
- site: Unique identifier (unit: none)
- point: Cardinal direction (N, S, E, W)
- densiometre_points: Raw densiometer counts (unit: none)
- densiometre_pourcentage: Canopy openness (%)
- matiere_org: Organic layer depth (cm)
- pH: Soil pH (unit: none)
- temp_pH: Temperature during pH measurement (°C)
9. TE_concentrations.csv
Trace element concentrations in moss.
File format: Semicolon-delimited CSV file (;)
- site: Unique identifier (unit: none)
- lat, long: Coordinates (decimal degrees, °)
- Elements (Li, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Cd, Cs, Pb, U, Hg):
concentrations (micrograms per gram, µg/g)
10. RI_sum.csv
Ecological Risk Index of each site.
File format: Semicolon-delimited CSV file (;)
- site: Unique identifier (unit: none)
- RI: Combined ecological risk index (unit: none)
11. RI_individual_TE.csv
Element-specific ecological risk values.
File format: Semicolon-delimited CSV file (;)
- site: Unique identifier (unit: none)
- Elements (Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Hg, Co): Individual element-specific risk values (unit: none)
Data Structure
All files can be linked using the site identifier.
Missing values
Missing values are coded as follows:
NA = Not Applicable (the measurement was not expected for that observation).
MD = Missing data (a measurement was expected but is unavailable, e.g., sample lost, forgotten during fieldwork, or measurement not recorded).