This dataset provides ground cover characterization carried out prior to Winkler sampling, as well as date, time, and location metadata for each sample, corresponding to the befdata dataset 'Site A and Site B MultiTroph core plots and conifers: Litter ant community data from 2023 and 2024'.

The MultiTroph core plots combine plots from both the random and non-random extinction scenarios of the BEF-China main experiment (tree plots only; tree+shrub plots were excluded). In addition, conifer monocultures of two economically important species were selected for sampling, resulting in a total of 320 plots. Prior to taking the Winkler sample, ground cover was estimated in a 1 m² quadrat positioned in the middle of four adjacent tree positions, at the corners of the inner 10 × 10 planting positions, to characterize ant habitat. Leaf litter from this same 1 m² quadrat was then sifted, and the resulting fine debris from four replicates per plot was transported to the research station for passive extraction of arthropods over 48 hours into 70% ethanol. Leaf litter from this same 1 m² quadrat was then sifted and the resulting fine debris of four replicates per plot was transported to the research station for passive extraction of arthropods over 48 hours into 70 % ethanol. Extracted ants were subsequently transferred to 1 ml vials containing 90 % ethanol. While transferring fine debris to the Winkler extractor, fleeing ants were additionally hand-collected and directly transferred to separate 1 ml vials containing 90 % ethanol. Extracted ant data and hand-collected ant data were pooled in this dataset.

Site A and B of BEF China main experiment