Dataset of permanent plots of trees with dbh >10cm in Mashpi rainforest biodiversity reserve, a remnant of the Chocó forest in Northern Ecuador

This data reports a list of all trees DBH > 10 cm in four 50 × 50 m (0.25 ha) permanent plots at Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve in the Ecuadorian Chocó forest. Plots were established within an altitudinal gradient from 800 to 1200 m. We collected, labelled, measure and identify all trees found within the plots. All voucher specimens are available at the herbarium of Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica (HUTI) in Quito, Ecuador. We found a total 133 stems representing 93 species and 36 families. Each plot had between 27 and 40 trees. Our list of species includes four threatened species under IUCN criteria. We also report the number of individuals of each species and its diameter at breast height (DBH) and height. This information is a baseline for further studies to contribute to the conservation of the Chocó, one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots is the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena. Even though this area is one of the most biodiverse in the planet, the botanical composition of the Chocó is still poorly known.


a b s t r a c t
This data reports a list of all trees DBH > 10 cm in four 50 × 50 m (0.25 ha) permanent plots at Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve in the Ecuadorian Chocó forest. Plots were established within an altitudinal gradient from 800 to 1200 m. We collected, labelled, measure and identify all trees found within the plots. All voucher specimens are available at the herbarium of Universidad Tecnológica Indoamérica (HUTI) in Quito, Ecuador. We found a total 133 stems representing 93 species and 36 families. Each plot had between 27 and 40 trees. Our list of species includes four threatened species under IUCN criteria. We also report the number of individuals of each species and its diameter at breast height (DBH) and height. This information is a baseline for further studies to contribute to the conservation of the Chocó, one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots is the Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena. Even though this area is one of the most biodiverse in the planet, the botanical composition of the Chocó is still poorly known.
© 2020 The Author(s

Value of the data
• Our sample represents a first survey of tree diversity at Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, a Chocó forest relict in Ecuador. • Our results will serve to better understand the species diversity and conservation status of one of the remnant forests of the Ecuadorian Chocó. • The generated data will be use as a baseline of further ecological studies such as carbon caption.

Data Description
Our dataset includes two tables. Table 1 compile a checklist of all the tree species and individuals found in each plot. A total of 133 stems of 92 species and 36 families were found. Each parcel of 0.25 ha has 27 to 40 trees with DBH > 10 cm. The most diverse family was Fabaceae with 10 species, followed by Lauraceae (7) and Rubiaceae (7). Most of the species were represented by one individual within the 0.25 ha plots. Eschweilera caudiculata (Lecythidaceae) was   In Table 2 we describe each individual tree collected per plot with a voucher number and DBH. The average overall DBH was 22.92 cm with a maximum of 93 cm of diameter.

Experimental design, materials, and methods
Our survey was conducted in the Bosque Protector Mashpi, a Natural Forest Reserve declared in September 2003. The Reserve has 1178 ha [1] and it is in the Mashpi watershed at the Pichincha province in Ecuador [2] . The area is characterized by deep slopes of 45 °to 90 °, which might have helped to conserve the forest from logging activities [2] .
Our inventory consisted in four permanent 1/4 ha plots of 50 × 50 m each within the reserve. Plots were limited with rope tied to 1/4 inch PVC tubes painted in orange. The specific locations are listed in Table 3 ( Fig. 1 ). Plots were located within a distance of 900 to 1800 m and they were set to have a good representation of the altitudinal gradient in the area. We collected, labelled, and measured the diameter of all the trees with DBH ≥ 10 cm found within the plots. DBH was measure at 1.30 m from the base of the tree, following methods by Campbell [3] . Tree height was estimated by eye (by Toasa), because the canopy was to dense to calculate it with other methods. Each tree was marked with an aluminum tag, and the place where the DHB was measure was marked for future surveys ( Fig. 2 ). Specimens were identified by Germán Toasa comparing vouchers at QCNE Herbarium in Quito. The herbarium specimens were deposited at the Herbario de la Universidad Tecnológica Indoaméria (HUTI) in Quito, Ecuador. Scientific names followed APG IV [4] and were checked at http://www.tropicos.org/ [5] .
This is the first survey of trees implemented in the Reserve. The plots were stablished during one fieldtrip from April 10 to April 20, 2014. Our plots represent a first approximation to estimate tree diversity at Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve, a Chocó relict in Ecuador. Our results will serve as a base line to better understand the species diversity and conservation status of one of the relict forests of the Ecuadorian Chocó. The Reserve is managed by Mashpi Lodge https://www.mashpilodge.com/ . Some of the studies associated with the plots are: Potential food abundance for reintroduction of Ateles fusciceps "spider monkey", and CO2 absorption data [6] .

Declaration of Competing Interest
None.