A dataset of soil moisture observed by cosmic-ray neutron method in Quercus variabilis plantation at Xiaolangdi Station (2016–2021)

Quercus variabilis plantation represents a typical forest type distributed within the key ecological zone of the Southern Taihang Mountains and the middle reaches of the Yellow River basin, serving the ecological engineering development of the Yellow River basin. Long-term observations of soil moisture in Quercus variabilis plantation have been carried out at Henan Xiaolangdi Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station (Xiaolangdi Station).

This dataset compiles long-term medium scale daily average soil moisture observations in Quercus variabilis plantation during the growing season at Xiaolangdi Station. The time span covered April to October from 2016 to 2021, employing the cosmic-ray neutron method as the monitoring method. The ratio of effective observation data for soil moisture exceeded 91% in each year.

After vegetation biomass correction, soil water content estimated by the cosmic-ray neutron method was significantly correlated with the sensor-measured water content at 0–20 cm soil depth within the neutron source footprint, yielding a root mean square error of 0.044 cm3 cm-3. This dataset aims to provide fundamental data support for further exploring forest ecohydrological processes in the middle reaches of the Yellow River basin under climate change, and offer scientific decision-making basis for regional forest sustainable management and ecosystem service functions.