Data from: Beech leaf disease associated with changes in litter decomposition and fungal communities
Data files
Jun 15, 2026 version files 34.31 KB
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Decomposition_Data_-_Shepherd.xlsx
32 KB
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README.md
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Abstract
Beech leaf disease (BLD) is a rapidly emerging forest disease affecting American beech. The extent to which these BLD-driven changes may alter the rates of litter decomposition was unknown. Here, we explore rates of decomposition in beech leaf disease symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf litter using a field-based litterbag experiment. This dataset includes weights and percent decomposition calculations for 160 litter bags that were deployed in the field for 12- 48 weeks.
Dataset DOI: 10.5061/dryad.hhmgqnkw1
Description of the data and file structure
In October 2023, freshly senesced leaves were collected from trees that are infested with beech leaf disease. Leaves were separated into two composite sample groups based on visual symptom expression. Asymptomatic leaves were classified as those with no visually symptomatic leaf tissue. Symptomatic leaves were classified as those with symptoms (darkened and curling) impacting more than 75% of the leaf. Approximately 3.5 g of whole leaf litter of either symptomatic or asymptomatic leaves were placed in each of the 160 litterbags. Bags were collected at four 12-week intervals beginning on January 24, 2024, and ending on October 2, 2024. When removed from the field, bags were cleaned, dried at 60° C for 48 hours and weighed to determine dry mass. A small leaf sample was removed from all bags for DNA sequencing. One leaf litterbag was never recovered from the field; therefore, the final leaf litterbag count was 159.
Files and variables
File: Decomposition_Data_-_Shepherd.xlsx
Description: Data from a leaf litterbag study understanding impacts of beech leaf disease (BLD) on decomposition. This file includes initial, dry, and final leaf mass data used to calculate percent decomposition. Data from the microbial community analysis can be found on GenBank.
Variables
- Site: one of two forests litterbags were deployed in
- Plot: plot one of four plots established in the sites
- Leaf_type: the two visual symptom expressions compared in this study
- Removal: the exact date the assigned litterbag was collected from the field
- Time: length of time measured in weeks the litterbag was deployed in the field
- All weights are measured in grams
- Sample_dry_wt: mass of leaf sample removed for DNA sequencing
- Percent_decomposition: final calculation of percent mass loss, determined by the following equation: [((leaf weight - final leaf)/leaf weight)*100]
- Missing data is represented as blank cells with comments in the notes section
Code/software
Any program that will open a spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel is recommended.