Chemical parameters of soils in subtropical forest plots dominated by native trees and invaded by Ligustrum lucidum, Horco Molle, Tucuman, Argentina, 2023
******************** METHODS **************************
We conducted field soil sampling during February-March 2023. We carried out soil analysis on five plots that belong to Red Subtropical de Parcelas Permanentes (RSPP) and six plots under invasive species management from CONTAIN project (see related datasets, https://doi.org/10.5285/c3295206-052a-4c87-911a-75d357791b5c). In each plot, we took litter and soil samples at five to seven points, separated by 10 meters at least. At each point, we collected soil samples at three depths: 0-10, 10-30, and 30-50 cm, using tagged plastic bags. Litter and soil samples were taken to the laboratory for posterior chemical determinations. For soil samples, the determination included pH, total carbon, total nitrogen, extractable phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable cations: calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, and for litter, total carbon and nitrogen. [P1]At the same depths, undisturbed soil samples were taken to determine bulk density using a soil core cylinder except in the cases with a proportion of coarse material (stony soils). In these situations, soil bulk density was determined based on the excavation method. 
Total carbon and nitrogen content in litter and soil were determined by dry combustion (LECO CN 628). Soil extractable P was determined using the Bray and Kurtz I method. Cation exchange capacity and Ca, Mg, Na, and K were extracted using the ammonium acetate pH 7 method. Soil pH was measured in distilled water (1:2.5). We repeated lab determinations for out-of-range values to corroborate them.
This dataset contains the following files:
* centerplots.csv 
 This is a comma-separated value file containing the central point location of the ten plots where we conducted the soil sampling, in Horco Molle, Tucum n, Argentina. The coordinate system is WGS84.
 The CSV file contains the following columns:
	-PLOT_CODE: Codification of ID used to identify sample plots. 
	-PLOT_NAME: Plot name. CP is the general code for all plots established within the CONTAIN project, whereas the number indicates the plot. Plots 1, 5 and 8 were the plots where we applied our experimental management intervention (see related datasets), and 2, 6 and 7 were the control plots (without intervention). The other plots have names assigned by RSPP.
	-PLOT_PROJECT: Projects that established the plots. RSPP referred to Red Subtropical de Parcelas Permanentes, and CONTAIN referred to the CONTAIN Project. 
	-DECADE_FOREST_ESTABLISHMENT: Approximate the decade when forests were established. Aerial photographs and satellite imagery estimated it.
	-FOREST_TYPE: Indicates whether the forest composition is mainly dominated by native or invasive tree species. In an invaded forest, the dominant species is Ligustrum lucidum (for forest census data, see related dataset mentioned before).
	-LATITUDE: Latitude coordinates of the centre of the plot (decimal degrees)
	-LONGITUDE: Longitude coordinates of the centre of the plot (decimal degrees).
* chemicaldata.csv 
A comma-separated value file containing the chemical values for each soil or litter sample. NA indicates that the value was not estimated.
	-CODE: Sample code. It indicates the plot (see codes for plots on centerplots.csv), 
survey point and depth.
	-PLOT_NAME: Plot name. CP is the general code for all plots established within the CONTAIN project, whereas the number indicates the plot. Plots 1, 5 and 8 were the plots where we applied our experimental management intervention (see related datasets), and 2, 6 and 7 were the control plots (without intervention). The other plots have names assigned by RSPP.
	-SURVEY_POINT: Survey point within each plot (from A to E for RSPP plots and from A to G for CONTAIN plots)
	- SAMPLE_TYPE: Litter or soil sample.
	-SURVEY_DEPTH: Soil depth interval is taken (in cm).
	-pH: pH value (only for soil samples)
	-P: assimilable phosphorus (ppm)
	-CEC: Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC cmolc/kg) (only for soil samples)
	-Ca: Calcium (Ca cmolc/kg) (only for soil samples)
	-Mg: Magnesium (Mg cmolc/kg) (only for soil samples)
	-Na: Sodium (Na cmolc/kg) (only for soil samples)
	-K: Potassium (K cmolc/kg) (only for soil samples)
	-C: Percentage of total carbon in 100 g of sample (soil or litter).
	-N: Percentage of total nitrogen in 100 g of sample (soil or litter).
	-BD: Bulk density (g/cm3) (only for soil samples)
	-OBSERVATIONS: Additional information and other relevant comments.

