This dataset (Andean_AGB.xlsx) has the data employed in the paper entitled Old-growth Andean forests as globally important carbon sinks and future carbon refuges. The data was compiled as the results of the work of several research teams spread out across the Andean region. The information available here has data about aboveground carbon stocks and dynamics and the main explanatory variables, such as climate and symbiotic root associations.

The dataset comes from forest permanent plots that were surveyed by different research teams across the Andean region. Plot size varied from 0.32 to 1.28 ha, with a cumulative sample area of 104.4 ha. In each plot, we tagged, mapped, measured, and collected vouchers of all trees and palms with stem diameter at breast height (DBH, 1.3 m) ≥ 10 cm. DBH was measured 50 cm above buttresses or aerial roots when present (where the stem was cylindrical). During the second or subsequent set of censuses, DBH growth, recruitment, and mortality were recorded. In cases where the recorded DBH growth of the second census was less than -0.1 cm y^-1 or greater than 7.5 cm y^-1, the DBH of the second census was augmented/reduced in order to match these minimum/maximum values. To homogenize and validate species names of palms and trees recorded in each country and plot, we submitted the combined list from all plots to the Taxonomic Name Resolution Service (TNRS; http://tnrs.iplantcollaborative.org/) version 3.0. Any species with an unassigned TNRS accepted name or with a taxonomic status of ‘no opinion’, ‘illegitimate’, or ‘invalid’ was manually reviewed. Families and genera were changed in accordance with the new species names. If a full species name was not provided or could not be found, the genus and/or family name from the original file was retained.