Dataset of soil water content in the forest ecosystems of Dinghushan, Guangdong, southern China (2002~2023)

To reveal the long-term dynamics of soil water content in typical southern subtropical forests, the Guangdong Dinghushan Forest Ecosystem National Observation and Research Station has, in accordance with the unified protocol of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), conducted long-term in situ observations in three forest types representing successive stages of natural succession: Masson pine forest (Pinus massoniana), mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest, and monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest.

This dataset compiles long-term soil water content monitoring records from these forests during 2002—2023, totaling 119,999 records, together with complete background information on the sampling plots. Soil water content was measured by both the oven-drying method and time domain reflectometry (TDR), covering the complete successional sequence from plantation to climax community. After rigorous quality control and systematic compilation, the dataset features a long temporal span, high continuity, and high reliability.