Powell, P.A. et al

Tree sapling sampling in a secondary subtropical forest invaded by Ligustrum lucidum subject to experimental management, Tucumán, Argentina, 2021-2023

https://doi.org/10.5285/4311fa93-fdcc-43bd-bb2e-185118c06ed7 Cite this dataset

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The following dataset contains information on saplings of woody plant species in invaded subtropical mountain forests (Yungas) over three years. The forests were located in the Horco Molle Experimental Reserve and Parque Sierra de San Javier, Tucumán, Argentina. The data was collected as part of an experiment to investigate the impact of management control on the invasion of non-native species such as Ligustrum lucidum, and other less abundant non-native species, on the dynamics of the woody community. The experiment was conducted between June 2020 and November 2023.

This work was carried out as part of NERC grant NE/S011641/1 “Optimising the long-term management of invasive species affecting biodiversity and the rural economy using adaptive management”.

Publication date: 2024-03-27

Format

Comma-separated values (CSV)

Spatial information

Study area
Spatial representation type: Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system: WGS 84 / Pseudo-Mercator

Temporal information

Temporal extent: 2020-06-01 to 2023-11-30

Provenance & quality

Data on saplings was collected during a field experiment that evaluated the management of secondary forests impacted by the invasion of Ligustrum lucidum.

The experiment was conducted by establishing six permanent plots, each measuring 240m x 140m (3.36 hectares). The plots were into three pairs, with one plot being assigned as a control scenario (no actions taken), and the other as a treatment scenario (L. lucidum control and native tree plantation). Before implementing each treatment, there were 288 quadrats, each measuring 2m x 2m, marked with fixed stakes at each corner. Each plot contained 48 quadrats, allocating 12 to each of the four transects within each plot.

Every six months, saplings in fixed quadrats were identified, measured, and tagged along transects within permanent forest plots. Saplings in quadrats that were >25 cm in height and >5 cm in diameter at the base were identified. Field guides and local taxonomists helped identify the saplings mainly at the species level. Additionally, the number of vines, ferns, and shrubs were characterized at each quadrat and sampling date and their height was measured.