A dataset of soil moisture in typical ecosystems of the Ailao Mountains (2019–2022)

It directly influences key ecological processes such as plant growth and hydrological cycles. Long-term observation and research on soil moisture contribute to a deeper understanding of the hydrological characteristics, water retention capacity, and ecosystem service dynamics of forest systems. Subtropical forests, which represent the most widespread forest type in China, play a vital role in regulating global climate change and maintaining biodiversity.

The Ailao Mountains in Yunnan Province constitute an important subtropical forest region in China, characterized by high biodiversity and significant functions in water conservation and carbon sequestration. Continuous, long-term, and high-quality ecological monitoring is one of the core missions of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), within which soil moisture is a key indicator for long-term monitoring of the terrestrial ecosystem water environment. This dataset compiles soil moisture monitoring data from four vegetation types—evergreen broad-leaved forest, Populus forest, tea plantations, and Pteridium shrubland—covering the period from 2019 to 2022.