Ecological impacts and social perceptions of Ailanthus altissima on urban soils

The objective of the study is to better understand how the intensity and residence time of invasion by this invasive alien species influence soil biodiversity and associated ecological processes in urban environments.

Sampling was carried out across a network of urban sites presenting different levels of invasion by Ailanthus altissima. Harmonized field protocols were implemented to collect soil mesofauna and to characterize the vegetation associated with each sampling site. The dataset notably includes: – Collembolans and mites: abundance and taxonomic composition per sampling point and site along the invasion gradient. – Vegetation: inventory of plant species recorded at each sampling site. – Tree of heaven: data on density and age structure were collected but are not included in this dataset (available in the full project database).