Long-term forest meteorological data from the Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research Programme (LWF) in Switzerland, from 1996-2016

The paper describes the meteorological measurements that have been collected since 1997 at 14 forest sites, both under the canopy and in open areas nearby, and 2 sites only under the canopy, resulting into 30 individual series. The dataset is unique because it offers detailed comparisons of microclimatic conditions and their respective spatial and temporal variation across the complex topography of Switzerland. As earlier studies demonstrated, the microclimatic conditions under the forest canopy frequently differ from the standard meteorological conditions in the open field. Hence, the characteristics of the microclimate inside the forest and how it is changing relative to changes outside the forest needs to be better understood to improve the quality and reliability of forest models and formulate management recommendations. The dataset is well suited towards such goals because it contains high-quality and detailed information on the below-canopy microclimate of temperate deciduous, mixed, and coniferous forests across a wide range of forest types, elevations, exposures, and topographies.