A dataset of forest biomass structure for Eurasia

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Forestry
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Forest biomass is crucial for understanding ecosystem function and carbon cycling.
• Accurate in situ measurements are essential for developing reliable biomass estimation models.
• Existing datasets often lack comprehensiveness in terms of components and geographical coverage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compile the most extensive dataset of in situ destructive forest biomass measurements in Eurasia.
• To provide a unified data resource for ecological research, including biomass modeling and carbon stock assessment.
• To facilitate studies on biodiversity, species distribution, and the relationship between biodiversity and productivity.

Main Methods:

• Data compilation from author experiments and scientific publications.
• Inclusion of biomass measurements for four components: live trees, understory, forest floor, and coarse woody debris.
• Collection of associated forest stand parameters like species composition, age, and growing stock volume.

Main Results:

• A dataset of 10,351 sample plots and 9,613 sample trees from approximately 1,200 experiments (1930-2014).
• Comprehensive biomass data covering multiple forest components and stand characteristics.
• A robust dataset suitable for diverse ecological and biogeochemical analyses.

Conclusions:

• The compiled dataset represents a significant advancement in Eurasian forest biomass research.
• This resource will enable more accurate biomass modeling, carbon pool estimations, and biodiversity studies.
• The dataset provides a foundation for long-term monitoring and understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics.