Vegetation chemistry data from Climoor fieldsite in Clocaenog Forest

Vegetation chemistry was determined on both green and senesced material. When green material was analysed, the current year's growth was used. Samples were cut from areas of the plots using scissors, and transported in plastic bags back to the laboratory. In the laboratory, samples were sorted and checked, then oven dried at 75 degrees C overnight. Samples were then ground and sent to CEH Lancaster for chemical analysis. Vegetation chemistry was also assessed for senesced plant material collected in litterfall traps (7cm diameter pots, standing slightly proud of soil surface, collected and emptied bi-weekly), as well as on material collected from outside the experimental plots. Determinants include carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, lignin, tannin, alpha-cellulose and carbohydrates. Samples include: all higher plant species green biomass in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2010, from plants in the experimental plots (sampled early Sept for each year). Senesced plant material in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 (pooled litter from the year combined and subsampled for each experimental plot). In 2000 and 2002, additional samples of different components of plants (i.e. stem, leaf, root) were analysed from areas outside the experimental plots. All chemical analysis was carried out in UKAS accredited labs in CEH Lancaster to standard protocols.