Soil, site and tree characteristics for acute oak decline (AOD) symptomatic and non-symptomatic oak in three UK woodlands, southern England, 2016
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https://doi.org/10.5285/9947ccc9-7396-4821-b095-c374bd857305
This dataset contains information on tree, site and soil properties from three oak woodland sites in southern England: Writtle Forest, Monks Wood, and Stratfield Brake. Data were collected in 2016 to investigate the relationship between Acute Oak Decline (AOD) symptoms and local environmental factors. The study included 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic trees at each site.
Tree characteristics include latitude and longitude coordinates, species-level classification (based on morphological measurements and genetic SNP analysis confirming identity as Quercus robur, Quercus petraea, or hybrids), tree dimensions (height, diameter at 1.35 m, crown dimensions), crown condition (density reduction), and rooting depth.
Data on the surrounding site context were also collected, including depth to gleying, basal area of surrounding stands (measured at 0–20 m and 20–40 m), compound topographic index, and tree social status (e.g., dominant, codominant, suppressed).
Soil characteristics were analysed to capture both physical and chemical properties. Physical properties included texture and bulk density, while chemical analyses measured organic matter content, pH, total carbon and nitrogen, mineral nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium), ‘Olsen’ extractable phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, and concentrations of exchangeable cations.
The work was supported by the grant BB/N022831/1 (‘PuRpOsE’) with additional funding from the Woodland Trust, Bartlett’s Tree Experts and The University of Reading.
Tree characteristics include latitude and longitude coordinates, species-level classification (based on morphological measurements and genetic SNP analysis confirming identity as Quercus robur, Quercus petraea, or hybrids), tree dimensions (height, diameter at 1.35 m, crown dimensions), crown condition (density reduction), and rooting depth.
Data on the surrounding site context were also collected, including depth to gleying, basal area of surrounding stands (measured at 0–20 m and 20–40 m), compound topographic index, and tree social status (e.g., dominant, codominant, suppressed).
Soil characteristics were analysed to capture both physical and chemical properties. Physical properties included texture and bulk density, while chemical analyses measured organic matter content, pH, total carbon and nitrogen, mineral nitrogen (nitrate and ammonium), ‘Olsen’ extractable phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, and concentrations of exchangeable cations.
The work was supported by the grant BB/N022831/1 (‘PuRpOsE’) with additional funding from the Woodland Trust, Bartlett’s Tree Experts and The University of Reading.
Publication date: 2025-04-11
View numbers valid from 11 April 2025 Download numbers valid from 11 April 2025 (information prior to this was not collected)
Format
Comma-separated values (CSV)
Spatial information
Study area
Spatial representation type
Tabular (text)
Spatial reference system
OSGB 1936 / British National Grid
Temporal information
Temporal extent
2016-01-01 to 2016-12-31
Provenance & quality
Selection of trees for sampling involved systematic field surveys, targeting symptomatic (stem bleeding cankers) and asymptomatic trees.
Tree and site characteristics were determined using standardized forest mensuration protocols. Soil samples (taken from 5-15 cm and 40-50 cm depths from randomly-selected positions 1.5-2.0 m away from the stem from each tree) were prepared for analysis of physical and chemical properties using standard laboratory methods (e.g., BaCl2 extractions for exchangeable cations, and the Olsen method for phosphorus). Soil samples were analysed using laboratory equipment such as a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 for particle size analysis, a FLASH CN elemental analyzer for carbon and nitrogen content, and a Perkin Elmer 3000 ICP-OES for cation analysis. A Skalar SAN++ autoanalyzer was used for phosphate, nitrate and ammonium determination.
Variables (units) include tree dimensions (meters, centimetres), soil chemical concentrations (mg/kg), and physical properties such as texture (percentages of clay, silt, and sand). Additional variables include crown density reduction (percentage).
Composite soil samples were prepared by pooling subsamples, and chemical analysis results are normalized to dry soil weight.
Laboratory analyses included technical replication (e.g., three replicates for LOI, five for particle size distribution) and calibration using external standards. Blanks were analysed alongside samples for nutrient and cation extraction procedures.
Data reliability may be influenced by the sampling resolution and the inherent variability in soil properties. Some chemical concentrations were below detection limits and are entered as half the detection limit, following USEPA (2000) guidelines. Observations and samples represent a single time point, limiting temporal insights into soil and tree dynamics.
Tree and site characteristics were determined using standardized forest mensuration protocols. Soil samples (taken from 5-15 cm and 40-50 cm depths from randomly-selected positions 1.5-2.0 m away from the stem from each tree) were prepared for analysis of physical and chemical properties using standard laboratory methods (e.g., BaCl2 extractions for exchangeable cations, and the Olsen method for phosphorus). Soil samples were analysed using laboratory equipment such as a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 for particle size analysis, a FLASH CN elemental analyzer for carbon and nitrogen content, and a Perkin Elmer 3000 ICP-OES for cation analysis. A Skalar SAN++ autoanalyzer was used for phosphate, nitrate and ammonium determination.
Variables (units) include tree dimensions (meters, centimetres), soil chemical concentrations (mg/kg), and physical properties such as texture (percentages of clay, silt, and sand). Additional variables include crown density reduction (percentage).
Composite soil samples were prepared by pooling subsamples, and chemical analysis results are normalized to dry soil weight.
Laboratory analyses included technical replication (e.g., three replicates for LOI, five for particle size distribution) and calibration using external standards. Blanks were analysed alongside samples for nutrient and cation extraction procedures.
Data reliability may be influenced by the sampling resolution and the inherent variability in soil properties. Some chemical concentrations were below detection limits and are entered as half the detection limit, following USEPA (2000) guidelines. Observations and samples represent a single time point, limiting temporal insights into soil and tree dynamics.
Licensing and constraints
Creative Commons Attribution International licence
Cite this dataset as:
Shaw, L.J.; Rabiey, M.; Garcia, M.S.J.; Clarke, T.; Broome, A.; Corbett, L.J.; Booth, O.R.; Barrett, G.A.; Preston, G.M.; Barsoum, N.; Schonrogge, K.; Jackson, R.W.; Ray, D.; Dudley, A.S.; Kamerling, I.M.; Speed, C.Ⴕ. (2025). Soil, site and tree characteristics for acute oak decline (AOD) symptomatic and non-symptomatic oak in three UK woodlands, southern England, 2016. NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre. https://doi.org/10.5285/9947ccc9-7396-4821-b095-c374bd857305
Supplemental information
This dataset forms the basis of the results presented in the following pre-print: Liz J. Shaw, Mojgan Rabiey, Mateo S J Garcia, Toni Clarke, Alice Broome, Luci Corbett, Oliver R. Booth, Glyn A. Barrett, Gail M. Preston, Nadia Barsoum, Karsten Schonrogge, Robert W. Jackson and Duncan Ray. The cause-effect conundrum of local-scale site and soil factors in acute oak decline (AOD), bioRxiv 2025.01.24.634765
Correspondence/contact details
Authors
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4985-7078
Garcia, M.S.J.
University of Reading
Corbett, L.J.
University of Reading
Booth, O.R.
University of Reading
Barsoum, N.
Forest Research
Dudley, A.S.
University of Reading
Speed, C.Ⴕ.
University of Reading
Other contacts
Rights holder
University of Reading and The Crown
Custodian
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Publisher
NERC EDS Environmental Information Data Centre
info@eidc.ac.uk
Additional metadata
Keywords
Funding
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Award: BB/N022831/1
Last updated
22 April 2025 13:47