Soil morphological, physicochemical, and nutrient biogeochemistry data from riparian sites in Germany, Sweden, England and Scotland
- S. Trojahn
- A. Lilly
- Z. Gagkas
- N. Baggaley
- P.M. Haygarth
- J. Davies
- J. Pihlblad
- V. Janes-Bassett
- H. Laudon
- A. Musolff
- A. Lupon
- M. Stutter
2026-09-08
We present a harmonised dataset of soil morphological, physicochemical, and nutrient biogeochemistry for riparian zones across northern Europe. The dataset comprises 262 soil samples from 54 positions across 12 riparian observatories spanning boreal and temperate climates in Scotland, England, Germany and Sweden. The data collected at each site includes soil profile descriptions, bulk density, pH, total and water-extractable and microbial biomass Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and selective Fe/Al oxide extractions. To address the limited availability of coordinated, cross-climate data on riparian soil properties, we present one of the first interdisciplinary efforts to characterise riparian soils both in situ and through comprehensive laboratory analyses. Riparian soils are often spatially heterogeneous and poorly mapped due to their mosaic structure. In this study they were systematically described to capture variability in hydromorphic and biogeochemical properties across landscape positions. The dataset enables cross-climate comparison of riparian function and sensitivity to environmental change, providing a valuable foundation for modelling nutrient retention, release, and transformations at the land-water interface. The data are openly available via the Environmental Information Data Centre.