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Dryad

Full inventory data statistics of the 10 permanent inventory plots installed in the Moni river transects

Data files

Oct 21, 2024 version files 22.87 KB

Abstract

The tropical forests of the Congo Basin are characterised by an unusual abundance of light-demanding species in the canopy. To investigate the origin of this phenomenon, ten permanent biodiversity monitoring plots were installed in the Moni River catchment (Yangambi, Democratic Republic of the Congo). A previous study was carried out to investigate the spatial distribution of these light-demanding species within this catchment. For the purpose of this study, light-demanding species were classified into three functional types: short-lived pioneers (SLP), long-lived pioneers (LLP) and non-pioneer light-demanding species (NPLD). In addition, Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, a particular shade-tolerant species, was included as a control.

This prior study identified highlighted pockets of light-demanding species from each functional type, as well as pockets of G. dewevrei. Within these pockets, permanent plots were installed: one plot in SLP pockets, three plots in LLP pockets, two plots in NPLD pockets, two plots in mixed forest areas outside pockets, and two plots in G. dewevrei pockets. The dataset presented here provides the number of stems inventoried for each species and functional type in each plot installed throughout the Moni catchment.