This publication presents four related data sets that describe canopy height distributions and estimated above-ground biomass across an old-growth tropical rain forest landscape at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica, from 1992 – 2018.  One data set contains measured forest heights that were taken annually from 1999-2018 at 231 points per plot in 18 0.50 ha forest inventory plots (9 plots in 1999, 18 thereafter).  The second data set contains data from an annual evaluation of the precision (repeatability) of these forest heights measurements.  The third data set is raw data on canopy heights taken in 1992 over the same landscape on 15 100-m transects sampled every 2.5 m (Clark et al. 1996).  The fourth data set contains data on estimated above-ground biomass for all stems >10 cm diameter in the same plots as the canopy heights dataset.  The biomass data were taken annually from 1997-2018.  Together these data present the most detailed data currently available on decadal trends on estimated forest biomass and related canopy structure in old-growth tropical rain forest.

There are four data sets in this publication.

Canopy heights 1999-2018.csv.  Methods for the 1999-2018 canopy heights data are described in detail in Kellner, Clark and Hubbell 2009 and Silva et al 2013.  Briefly, canopy heights were measured annually to 15 m with an extending survey pole on a 5 x 5 m grid in 18 0.50 ha forest inventory plots (9 plots in 1999, 18 thereafter).  Heights >15 were classified as high canopy.

Measurement precision of 1999_2018 canopy heights data.csv.  The dataset contains data from an annual evaluation of measurement precision in the canopy heights data described above.  Every year we assessed the precision of the canopy height estimates by remeasuring an average of 123 points after a one- to several-day interval.

Canopy heights 1992.csv.  The 1992 height data methods are described in detail in Clark et al 1996.  Briefly, canopy height was measured with an optical range finder at 2.5 m intervals along 15 100 m long transects in old-growth tropical rain forest at the La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.

Estimated Above-Ground Biomass 1997-2018.csv.  Methods for the Estimated Above-Ground Biomass (EAGB kg) data are described in detail in Clark, Clark and Oberbauer 2013 and Clark et al. 2017 and 2019.  Briefly, stem diameters of all stems > 10 cm diameter were measured annually from 1997-2018 in 18 0.50 forest inventory plots.  Stem diameter was converted to EAGB (kg) via an allometric equation (see cited references).

There are no missing values and all data can be used as presented.