Full inventory of ten permanent plots installed in pockets of different tree functional types along the Moni River transects (Yangambi, Democratic Republic of Congo)
Data files
Jun 14, 2024 version files 345.72 KB
Abstract
Most of the tropical forests of Central Africa are characterised by a remarkable abundance of light-demanding canopy species. A popular hypothesis is that these forests are still recovering from the intense slash-and-burn farming activities that ended abruptly in the 19th century with the arrival of the colonists. Today, it is assumed that the zones occupied by crop fields until the 19th century are covered by forests dominated by light-demanding species. However, this hypothesis of human disturbance has not yet been sufficiently tested using spatial distribution. So, using the 'Kernel Density Estimation' (KDE) tool in the SAGA GIS software, we mapped the density distribution of light-demanding species, subdivided into 3 tree functional types, along transects in the Moni river catchment. We also produced a similar map for a particular shade-tolerant species, 'Gilbertiodendron dewevrei'. The species were then divided into the following groups, known as 'functional tree types': LLP=Long-Lived Pioneer, NPLD=Non-Pioneer Light Demanding, SLP=Short-Lived Pioneer, and STS=Shade-Tolerant Species. At the end of this analysis, a density distribution map of the species of each tree functional type was produced. This map highlights the pockets (zones with a high density relative to the study site average) of tree functional types. For each type of pocket, we selected the pockets with a high density of trees of the group concerned and which were not on the edge between the forest and village crops or fallow land. This is how the location of the permanent plots was determined. Next, we installed a total of ten full forest inventory plots (1 ha each) inside and outside the pockets located by the KDE analysis along the Moni River transects. More specifically, we installed one plot in a pocket of short-lived pioneers (SLP-01), three plots in pockets of long-lived pioneers (LLP-01 to -03), two plots in pockets of NPLD (NPLD-01 and -02), two plots in pockets of the shade-tolerant species Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (GIL-01 and -02) and finally two plots were located in a mixed old-growth forest outside the pockets (MIX-01 and -02). These plots were established (1) for long-term monitoring of biodiversity and forest dynamics; and (2) to see if there is a difference in terms of species composition and abundance of light demanders between the forest inside the pockets and that outside the pockets.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.nk98sf81m
Our dataset includes data on tree diameters at breast height, data on the height at which diameters were measured, data on the identification of the species to which the trees belong, the location of each tree in the plot in which it is found, and the date of the census. The survey was carried out on ten plots of one hectare each in the catchment area of the Moni River in Yangambi (Democratic Republic of Congo).
Description of the data and file structure
This dataset contains several variables (columns). Below is a description of each variable:
- Plot: the plot code indicating the type of pocket in which the plot was installed
- Tag: the unique number assigned to each tree
- Subplot: number of the subplot
- X: east-west Cartesian coordinate in a subplot, expressed in meter
- Y: North-South Cartesian coordinates in a subplot, expressed in meter
- Nomscientifique: scientific name of the species. In this column, “Indet” means a tree whose species has not been identified.
- Family: name of the family to which the species belongs. In this column, “Indet” means a tree whose family has not been identified.
- POM: height of the diameter measurement point expressed in meters. In this column, “Est” means that the dbh was estimated because of the presence of deformations or buttresses that were more than 8 m high. At this height, it becomes difficult to measure the diameter of the tree more accurately.
- DBH: diameter of the tree at breast height expressed in centimeters
- Date: the date on which the tree was measured
- The plots were installed in different tree functional types. Here is the code for each tree functional type:
- SLP: plot in a pocket of short-lived pioneers
- LLP: plot in pockets of long-lived pioneers
- NPLD: plot in pockets of non-pioneer light demanders
- GIL: plot in pockets of the shade-tolerant species Gilbertiodendron dewevrei
- MIX: plots located in a mixed old-growth forest outside the pockets
The plots were installed in the Moni catchment along the transects. They are rectangular, 50 m wide (25 m on either side of the transect baseline), and 200 m long, centered on the transect baseline. Each plot was well delimited and divided into 16 square sub-plots (25 m × 25 m). All trees of all species were surveyed using the international standardised inventory protocol for tropical forests (RAINFOR) (Dallmeier 1992; Condit 1998; Phillips et al. 2009; ForestPlots.net et al. 2021). All trees with at least 10 cm of diameter at breast height (DBH) were identified, measured (DBH), and mapped (X and Y coordinates). The points of measurement (POM) of the diameter were marked with paint. For trees with buttresses or any deformations at 1.30 m, the POM was taken about 50 cm above the deformation.