A collection of datasets on forest biodiversity and microclimates in France (2019-2023)

All the data stored in this collection of datasets was collected during the period 2019-2023 within the framework of the project number ANR-19-CE32-0005 entitled "Impacts of Microclimatic Processes on foRest bIodiversity redistributioN under macroclimaTe warming" (IMPRINT) funded by the Agence nationale de la recherche (ANR). The project aims to model forest microclimates at fine spatiotemporal resolution and link it to understory biodiversity data. The different datasets available in that collection contain (i) biodiversity surveys (vascular plants, bryophytes and soil artropods), (ii) in-situ microclimate records (both air and soil temperature near the ground surface), (iii) ground-truth measurements of stand characteristics (maximum height, stem diameter, species identity and status) and (iv) high-resolution airborne LiDAR images, all collected across three deciduous state forests in France (Aigoual, Blois and Mormal). Mormal is a lowland forest dominated by beech (Fagus sylvatica) and/or pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) stands, Blois is a lowland forest dominated by pure sessile oak stands (Quercus petraea), and Aigoual is a mountain forest dominated by pure beech stands. All three are state forests managed by the ONF (Office National des Forêts, i.e. French forest office), mostly as even-aged “high forests”, except for a few coppices in Aigoual as well as some stands not managed for accessibility or conservation reasons.