ABSTRACT:

This data publication supports the study of soil water potential in thinned and non-thinned ponderosa pine (pinus ponderosa) forest in northern Arizona. The data represent soil water potential measurements (kPa) from ~130 sensors at 21 locations spread across adjacent thinned and non-thinned ponderosa pine stands during the spring dry season, from April 1 to the start of the monsoon. Thinning occurred in 2018 and followed a variable density thinning prescription. Five seasons of data are provided, from 2019 - 2023, and measurements were taken at 25, 50, and 100 centimeter depths. Parameters measured include mean soil water potential (kPa), date of onset of soil drying (in days after April 1), and the time spent at or below critical drying conditions (-1000 kPa) (measured in days).