The Ecoscape approach was set up to investigate the influence of biodiversity on litter decomposition (leaves and wood). In order to separate the effects of microclimate and topography from putative effects of (plant) biodiversity, leaf litter samples were set out in a total of 134 plots across Site A and Site B, respectively. Topographic measures were recorded directly in the field. The present dataset contains the data on the decomposition of Schima superba wood logs across the Ecoscape set up. In addition to variations in biodiversity, topographic and microclimatic variations, litter bags were used as an additional treatment factor. Fine meshed litter bags (25µm) prevented meso- and macroinvertebrates to access the wood samples, whereas the coarse mesh treatment allowed for the access of invertebrates. The experiment has been set up in 2011 and logs were sampled in two cohorts, after two and four years of in-situ wood decomposition.

The samples positioned in a randomized square with four replicates per sample position. There were two levels of sample treatment: 2 mesh-sizes (i.e. fine vs. coarse) and two sampling periods (i.e. 2012 and 2014). Every sampling period (2012 and 2014), one fine and one coarse meshed sample was collected from the respective position and taken to the lab. Dry weight was determined after drying the samples in the drying ovenm at 60°C until a stable mass was reached. For further details see the manuscript entitled "Influence of Biodiversity, topography and microclimate on the effect of invertebrate exclusion on coarse wood decomposition: a case study from subtropical China" by Eichenberg et al (2015, submitted to Journal of Plant Ecology, Special issue on Biodiversity research in China)

Experimental sites A and B

The first samples were set out on the 28.11.2011. The last sample was collected on the 30.08.2014. For further detailed information on the deposition or retention date of specific samples, please contact kpietsch@uni-leipzig.de

Schima superba

We determine decomposition rates (k-rates) for every sample based on the relative mass los over time. The k-rates are calculated from an exponential decay function (Odum 1963) and converted into mass los per year.