The BEF-China forest experiment studies the role of tree diversity in ecosystem functioning in subtropical forests. This data includes aggregated Basal area by Comparative Study Plots (CSP) in the Gutianshan National Nature Reserve. Basal area is calculated from data set "Tree size in the CSPs in 2008 and 2009" and it is calculated considering measurements on living trees after the snowbreak from 2008. Basal area estimation based on living trees and shrubs, using a linear model to predict missing dbh values based on living trees after the snowbreak 2008.

Data collection as explained in file SP01.CSP. Total basal area by CSP were calculated with "R", and records which had a comment of "dead" or "too small" were not included. CSPs, Gutianshan National Nature Reserve 29°08'-29°17'N 118°02'-118°11'E

Data for these calculations were recorded between may and september 2008

Trees and shrubs Comparative Study Plots

Basal area estimation based on living trees and shrubs, using a linear model to predict missing dbh values based on living trees after the snowbreak 2008. See the context "Measures on stem diameter distribution and basal area related to plot age in the CSPs" for a measure of basal area based on both living trees and those having been affected by the snowbreak in 2008. Basal area was calculated following: (pi/4)*(DBH^2). When DBH was missing, basal area (at breast height) was predicted from the basal ((pi/4)*(basal diameter^2) )area by a linear equation prediction: Basal area at breast height = 1.2527 + 0.4801*basal area. records with the comments "dead" and "too small" were excluded from the calculation. Separate values are given: basal area for shrubs (trees smaller than 10cm dbh) in the central plot (Basal area of shrubs in the CSPs was calculated by: CSPbha2008 - CSPbha10.2008). Basal area of trees in the cenral subplot of CSPs was calculated by: CSPbhaC.2008 - CSPbha.CSPbhaCS2008. Total Basal area of trees and shrubs in the CSPs was calculated by: CSPbha10.2008 + (9*(CSPbhaCS.2008))