The soil microbial enzyme activity data from tracer NILEx 2012, data include all the tracer nilex time points.

Sampling description (e.g. sampling design) Sampling process was cooperating with leaf litter decomposition group. The soil beneath the litter laid was taken by soil core (0-10cm soil depth) directly after the leaf litter decomposition group collected the litter residues from the designated mesocosms. Soil were then sieved with 2mm mesh and kept cool before stored in the freezer.

Study site, locations NILEx field site, near site A, Xingangshan

Range of times description:Samples were taken in 2012 April, May, July, and Octorber. Analyses were done within one month after the sampling campaign

Range of organisms or individuals:Activities of four hydrolytic enzymes involved in breakdown of cellulose (β-glucosidase), xylan(ß-xylosidase), chitin (N-acetyl-glucosaminidase) and polyphosphate (acid phosphatase) and two oxidative enzymes (phenol oxidase and peroxidase) which related to lignin degradation were measured.

Data analysis (What were the parameters of interest and how will they be calculated? What are the expected conclusions and how will effect sizes or significances be quantified?) Enzyme activity was computed as µmol substrate converted per hour per g dry organic matter of sample