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•Trees have a strong and species-specific influence on biotic and abiotic properties of the soil. Even after the vegetation is removed, the effect can persist to form so-called soil legacies. We investigated the effects of soil legacies of tree species richness on the emergence and growth of tree seedlings, and how these legacy effects modulate the seedling responses to irrigation frequency. •We used a 9-year-old tree plantation on former agricultural land in Belgium, which is part of a biodiversity-ecosystem functioning experiment (FORBIO). Soil originating from monocultures and four-species plots, with different species combinations, was translocated to a greenhouse. Five tree species (Betula pendula, Fagus sylvatica, Pinus sylvestris, Quercus robur, and Tilia cordata) were sown and grown for one growing season in these soils. We performed a watering treatment (low and high irrigation frequency) to measure any potential interaction effects between the soil legacies and irrigation frequency. •There was no evidence for soil legacy effects of species richness on plant performance or their response to the irrigation frequency. However, the effect of irrigation frequency was dependent on species identity of the tree seedlings. Despite the lack of clear legacy effects, performance measures did show correlated responses that are likely due to species composition effects. •We ascribe these patterns to the young age of the forest and the agricultural past land use. At this early stage in forest development, the land-use history likely has a more important role in shaping soil characteristics that affect plant growth and their response to drought, than species diversity.

• TreeDivNet is a global network for investigating the benefits and drawbacks of mixed-species planted forests. • After 23 years, TreeDivNet is yielding evidence in favour of mixing tree species in stands to increase tree performance. • More research is needed, especially in the global South, to identify optimal species mixes and to translate scientific knowledge into operational guidelines.

As of 2020, the world has an estimated 290 million ha of planted forests and this number is continuously increasing. Of these, 131 million ha are monospecific planted forests under intensive management. Although monospecific planted forests are important in providing timber, they harbor less biodiversity and are potentially more susceptible to disturbances than natural or diverse planted forests. Here, we point out the increasing scientific evidence for increased resilience and ecosystem service provision of functionally and species diverse planted forests (hereafter referred to as diverse planted forests) compared to monospecific ones. Furthermore, we propose five concrete steps to foster the adoption of diverse planted forests: (1) improve awareness of benefits and practical options of diverse planted forests among land-owners, managers, and investors; (2) incentivize tree species diversity in public funding of afforestation and programs to diversify current maladapted planted forests of low diversity; (3) develop new wood-based products that can be derived from many different tree species not yet in use; (4) invest in research to assess landscape benefits of diverse planted forests for functional connectivity and resilience to global-change threats; and (5) improve the evidence base on diverse planted forests, in particular in currently under-represented regions, where new options could be tested.

As of 2020, the world has an estimated 290 million ha of planted forests and this number is continuously increasing. Of these, 131 million ha are monospecific planted forests under intensive management. Although monospecific planted forests are important in providing timber, they harbor less biodiversity and are potentially more susceptible to disturbances than natural or diverse planted forests. Here, we point out the increasing scientific evidence for increased resilience and ecosystem service provision of functionally and species diverse planted forests (hereafter referred to as diverse planted forests) compared to monospecific ones. Furthermore, we propose five concrete steps to foster the adoption of diverse planted forests: (1) improve awareness of benefits and practical options of diverse planted forests among land-owners, managers, and investors; (2) incentivize tree species diversity in public funding of afforestation and programs to diversify current maladapted planted forests of low diversity; (3) develop new wood-based products that can be derived from many different tree species not yet in use; (4) invest in research to assess landscape benefits of diverse planted forests for functional connectivity and resilience to global-change threats; and (5) improve the evidence base on diverse planted forests, in particular in currently under-represented regions, where new options could be tested.

Trees have a strong influence on the chemical properties of the soil in which they grow. Establishing plantations with different tree species combinations thus potentially leads to divergence in soil chemistry. To study the degree to which differentiation already occurs during the first years after establishment, we made use of a biodiversity– ecosystem functioning experiment in Belgium, FORBIO. The multi-site experiment replicates tree species richness (1–4 species) and composition in three sites. The sites represent contrasting site contexts, mostly land-use history, soil, and climate. Soil samples (0–10 cm) were taken at the time of planting and approximately 8 years later. We measured the total C and N concentration, the Olsen P, the pHH2O, and the concentration of base and Al cations. The change in chemical composition was strongly dependent on site conditions including former land use. Afforestation on former cropland had a positive impact on totalCand Olsen P and a negative effect on base cations and pH. On sites reforested after clearcut, soil texture and particular site preparation played an important role. On top of that, we found several significant effects of species composition. Strongest composition effects were detected in the reforested site on loamy soil with little soil disturbance. This study highlights that species choice can already affect soil chemistry in early stages of forest development, but that the nature of the effects may strongly depend on the context in which the plantations are established. Further research is needed to identify the most important contextual factors.

As of 2020, the world has an estimated 290 million ha of planted forests and this number is continuously increasing. Of these, 131 million ha are monospecific planted forests under intensive management. Although monospecific planted forests are important in providing timber, they harbor less biodiversity and are potentially more susceptible to disturbances than natural or diverse planted forests. Here, we point out the increasing scientific evidence for increased resilience and ecosystem service provision of functionally and species diverse planted forests (hereafter referred to as diverse planted forests) compared to monospecific ones. Furthermore, we propose five concrete steps to foster the adoption of diverse planted forests: (1) improve awareness of benefits and practical options of diverse planted forests among land-owners, managers, and investors; (2) incentivize tree species diversity in public funding of afforestation and programs to diversify current maladapted planted forests of low diversity; (3) develop new wood-based products that can be derived from many different tree species not yet in use; (4) invest in research to assess landscape benefits of diverse planted forests for functional connectivity and resilience to global-change threats; and (5) improve the evidence base on diverse planted forests, in particular in currently under-represented regions, where new options could be tested.

This dataset consists of measures of topsoil (0-15 cm) physico-chemical properties from soils sampled from 110 x 1-km squares across Great Britain in 2022 as part of a rolling soil and vegetation monitoring program of 500 1-km squares repeated every 5 years. The properties included are: pH, soil organic matter (loss on ignition, LOI), derived carbon concentration and carbon stock (SOC), soil group, soil bulk density of fine earth, soil moisture of wet soil, fine earth volumetric water content (dry), nitrogen concentration and stock, and Olsen-phosphorus concentration. The UKCEH Countryside Survey is a unique study or 'audit' of the natural resources of the UK's countryside. The sample sites are chosen from a stratified random sample, based on a 15 by 15 km grid of GB. Surveys have been carried out in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1998 and 2007 by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and predecessors, with repeated visits to most of the squares. The countryside is sampled and surveyed using rigorous scientific methods, allowing us to compare new results with those from previous surveys. In this way, we can detect the gradual and subtle changes that occur in the UK's countryside over time. In addition to soil data, vegetation species data are also gathered by the current phase of the UKCEH Countryside Survey. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.

This dataset consists of measures of topsoil (0-15 cm) physico-chemical properties from soils sampled from 110 x 1 km squares across Great Britain in 2021 as part of a rolling soil and vegetation monitoring program of 500 1km squares repeated every 5 years. The properties included are: pH, soil organic matter (loss on ignition, LOI), derived carbon concentration and carbon stock (SOC), soil group, soil bulk density of fine earth, soil moisture of wet soil, fine earth volumetric water content (dry), nitrogen concentration and stock, and Olsen-phosphorus concentration. The UKCEH Countryside Survey is a unique study or 'audit' of the natural resources of the UK's countryside. The sample sites are chosen from a stratified random sample, based on a 15 by 15 km grid of GB. Surveys have been carried out in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1998 and 2007 by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and predecessors, with repeated visits to most of the squares. The countryside is sampled and surveyed using rigorous scientific methods, allowing us to compare new results with those from previous surveys. In this way, we can detect the gradual and subtle changes that occur in the UK's countryside over time. In addition to soil data, vegetation species data are also gathered by the current phase of the UKCEH Countryside Survey. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.

This dataset consists of measurements of topsoil (0-15 cm) physico-chemical properties from soils sampled from the first 106 1-km squares across Great Britain in 2018 and 2019 as part of a rolling soil and vegetation monitoring program of 500 1-km squares repeated every 5 years. The properties included are: pH, soil organic matter (loss on ignition, LOI), derived carbon concentration and carbon stock (SOC), soil group, soil bulk density of fine earth, soil moisture of wet soil, fine earth volumetric water content (dry), nitrogen concentration and stock, and Olsen-phosphorus concentration. The UKCEH Countryside Survey is a unique study or 'audit' of the natural resources of the UK's countryside. The sample sites are chosen from a stratified random sample, based on a 15 by 15 km grid of GB. Surveys have been carried out in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1998 and 2007 by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and predecessors, with repeated visits to most of the squares. The countryside is sampled and surveyed using rigorous scientific methods, allowing us to compare new results with those from previous surveys. In this way, we can detect the gradual and subtle changes that occur in the UK's countryside over time. In addition to soil data, vegetation species data are also gathered by the current phase of the UKCEH Countryside Survey. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.

This dataset consists of measures of topsoil (0-15 cm) physico-chemical properties from soils sampled from 48 x 1-km squares across Great Britain in 2020 as part of a rolling soil and vegetation monitoring program of 500 1-km squares repeated every 5 years. The properties included are: pH, soil organic matter (loss on ignition, LOI), derived carbon concentration and carbon stock (SOC), soil group, soil bulk density of fine earth, soil moisture of wet soil, fine earth volumetric water content (dry), nitrogen concentration and stock, and Olsen-phosphorus concentration. The UKCEH Countryside Survey is a unique study or 'audit' of the natural resources of the UK's countryside. The sample sites are chosen from a stratified random sample, based on a 15 by 15 km grid of GB. Surveys have been carried out in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1998 and 2007 by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and predecessors, with repeated visits to most of the squares. The countryside is sampled and surveyed using rigorous scientific methods, allowing us to compare new results with those from previous surveys. In this way, we can detect the gradual and subtle changes that occur in the UK's countryside over time. In addition to soil data, vegetation species data are also gathered by the current phase of the UKCEH Countryside Survey. This work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council award number NE/R016429/1 as part of the UK-SCAPE programme delivering National Capability.