Leaf decomposition, flammability and functional trait data for tropical swamp forest tree species

Decomposition and fire are major carbon pathways in many ecosystems, yet the contribution of species identity to these processes can be difficult to predict. Plant decomposability and flammability have usually been studied separately but could be linked through shared predictive traits. We explored how decomposability and flammability were related to each other and to key plant functional traits in a tropical swamp forest in Singapore.

Full methodological details in situ decomposition experiment in Nee Soon freshwater swamp forest, Singapore, laboratory flammability experiment, and leaf functional trait measurements can be found in the published article and supporting information stated below.

Nur E. B. Rahman, Stuart W. Smith, Weng Ngai Lam, Kwek Yan Chong, Matthias S. E. Chua, Pei Yun Teo, Daniel W. J. Lee, Shi Yu Phua, Cheryl Y. Aw, Janice S. H. Lee, David A. Wardle. Leaf decomposition and flammability are largely decoupled across species in a tropical swamp forest despite sharing some predictive leaf functional traits. New Phytologist

In this data repository, we have uploaded the following decomposition, flammability and trait data as well as secondary data used in our statistical analyses to generate the findings presented in the paper. Specific datasets include the following:

• litter_mass_loss.csv : raw data of leaf litterbag dry masses before and after 1 year in situ decomposition experiment in Nee Soon Swamp Forest
• flammability_leaf_temperature.csv : raw data of temperature recorded during flammability experiments of leaf litter and fresh leaves
• flammability_timings.csv : raw data of timings of flammability events, namely smouldering and pyrolysis recorded from video footage of flammability experiments
• senesced_leaf_dryweights_area.csv : senesced leaf raw data for calculating physical traits
• senesced_leaf_dryweights.csv: senesced leaf dry weights raw data
• freshtraits_measurements.csv: fresh leaf raw data for calculating physical traits
• decomposition_constants.csv: derived decomposition constants (k) for each species from the analysis of decomposition experiments.
• functional_traits_z_standardized.csv : all traits required for the analysis, consolidated following z-standardized transformation
• functional_traits_untransformed_decomposition_flammability.csv : all traits required for the analysis, untransformed (for back transforming axis labels) and species decomposition and flammability variables

Raw leaf litter mass loss and leaf flammability data are associated meta-data file explaining the column headers and variables. For all other datasets please refer to the paper and supporting information.