This dataset comprises plant species, soils, habitat types and major biota present, collected during a survey of the English county of Cumbria, using standardised survey methods. The survey was undertaken by the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (a forerunner of the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology) in 1975 within a stratified random set of sites. In total, up to 650 plots were surveyed from within 48 x 1km squares. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/e96b909d-d52e-4b36-bc51-905ece420794

Nematode species were extracted from two species of bryophyte (Cephaloziella varians and Sanionia uncinata) in a vegetated gully on Rothera Point, Adelaide Island. Nematode species were extracted from 10 fixed plots: five control plots, and five warmed plots (covered with open top chambers for the duration of the experiment). Sampling occurred over eight days between 2007 and 2010. The total number of nematodes in each sample, along with the numbers of males, females and juveniles of each species, were recorded and expressed per gram dry weight of bryophyte colony. The numbers of gravid females of Plectus belgicae, along with the total number of eggs in gravid females, were also recorded at four of the samplings.

In 1991 a nitrogen x phosphorus fertilisation experiment on dwarf shrub tundra close to Ny-Alesund, Svalbard was established. Treatments (0, 10, 50 kg N ha-1 yr-1; 0, 5 kg P ha-1 yr-1) were applied to Cassiope heath for 3 years and Dryas heath for 8 years. In 2011 the experiment was revisited to investigate the persistence of effects of fertilisation on species composition, vegetation nutrient status and ecosystem carbon stocks. The whole experiment has been led by Dr Sarah Woodin and colleagues, University of Aberdeen. The 2011 study, for which data are provided, was undertaken by Dr Lorna Street. Funded was provided by the NERC grant NE/I016899/1

The dataset contains information from 234 trees at six sites across the UK collected in 2018. The tree species studied were Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore), Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut), Fagus sylvatica (beech), Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), Quercus cerris (Turkey oak), Q. petraea (sessile oak), Q. robur (pedunculate oak), Q. rubra (red oak) and Tilia x europaea (common lime). The presence of all lichens and bryophyte species on the trunk to a height of 1.75m were recorded in addition to the presence of the lichens on branches and twigs where these were accessible. The bark characteristics recorded were bark pH, ridge and furrow width, furrow depth, hardness, water holding capacity and the bark patterning. The soil variables studied were: nitrogen mineralization and decomposition rate, total soil carbon and nitrogen, loss on ignition, soil pH and soil temperature. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy data from the soil samples is also presented along with data on site location and the habitat characteristics surrounding the sampled trees. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/f539567f-a8cd-482e-89b8-64a951b52d93