Supporting data for “From individual to continent: informing trait-based ecology with remotely sensed foliar functional traits and functional diversity”

This dataset comprises three primary data files containing comprehensive information on canopy spectra, leaf traits, environmental variables, and associated ecological measurements across multiple sites. The purpose of this dataset is to provide valuable insights into the relationships between vegetation spectral properties and functional traits, which play a critical role in understanding ecosystem functions and dynamics, particularly under changing environmental conditions.

The first dataset, "2021_Canopy_spectra_and_traits.csv," includes data collected from various sampling sites in 2021. It contains measurements of canopy spectra and associated leaf traits, providing detailed spectral readings at specific wavelengths along with trait data such as nitrogen content, leaf mass per area (LMA), and chlorophyll content. This dataset is instrumental for researchers looking to analyze how different spectral properties correspond to particular leaf traits, offering a high-resolution perspective into canopy-level ecological functions.

The second dataset, "Trait_v11_Rs_v7_30m_EVImask01_ts06_weekly_mean_Env_v2_LC_filter_interp.csv," provides a broader context by including trait data alongside environmental variables at a higher spatial resolution. Weekly measurements, obtained through enhanced vegetation index (EVI) masking, provide insights into the temporal dynamics of different traits across diverse ecosystems. This dataset is ideal for exploring temporal patterns in vegetation traits and assessing the impact of environmental factors on trait variation over time.

The third dataset, "data.csv," supplements the analysis by focusing on environmental and trait-related data across multiple study locations. It contains information such as land cover type, soil classification, radiation, and precipitation, along with key functional traits, offering a more comprehensive overview of the ecosystems studied. By integrating these data files, this dataset allows for the investigation of trait-environment interactions and provides the foundational data needed for building predictive ecological models.

These data files together enable a multifaceted understanding of the spatial and temporal variability in vegetation traits, facilitating research that spans from the individual tree-crown level to landscape scales. Researchers can use this dataset to better understand the ecological mechanisms underlying vegetation dynamics and the role of functional diversity in ecosystem resilience and productivity.