Management cessation reshapes microbial and physicochemical controls of soil organic carbon in subtropical forests
Description
This dataset supports the manuscript “Management cessation reshapes microbial and physicochemical controls of soil organic carbon in abandoned Moso bamboo forests.” It contains field and laboratory measurements collected along a 30-year management-cessation chronosequence (0, 10, 20, and 30 years since cessation) in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) forests in southeastern China. Study design and sampling. Three replicate plots (20 m × 20 m) were established for each chronosequence stage (n = 12 plots). Forest-floor litter was separated into Oi, Oe, and Oa layers. Mineral soils were sampled at 0–5 cm and 5–15 cm depths using plot-level composites. Bulk density was determined using intact cores. Variables included. The dataset includes: Litter chemistry: total C, total N, and C:N ratio (Oi/Oe/Oa); Soil physicochemical properties: soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), bulk density (BD), soil water content (SWC), and pH (0–5 and 5–15 cm); Microbial properties: microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN); Extracellular enzyme activities: β-glucosidase (BG), N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP). File structure. Raw/cleaned data tables are provided in [CSV/Excel] format with consistent plot identifiers, treatment stage, litter layer and/or soil depth. Summary tables (means ± SE, n) and post-hoc results used for figures are included. Analysis scripts used for statistics (two-way ANOVA/GLS, Tukey HSD, correlation, PCA, and structural equation modelling) and figure generation are provided in R. Reuse notes. Variable names and units are documented in the accompanying README/metadata file. Users should cite the associated manuscript when using these data. No human participants or vertebrate animals were involved. Location and period. Baizhang Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; sampling conducted in January 2025 (soils and litter), with site/stand attributes surveyed in May 2023.