Functional traits of savanna trees, shrubs, grasses and herbaceous species in Cerrado, Brazil, 2021

This data comprises key hydraulic and photosynthetic traits, nutrient concentration and plant structure for savanna species (trees, shrubs, grasses and herbaceous) of the Cerrado, collected in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (PNCV; 14°05' S, 47°40' W), located in the central plateau region of Brazil in 2021. These data were collected throughout May-September 2021 on 19 woody species across 11 botanical families, and for 20 monocot species across 6 botanical families, including grasses, herbs and Velloziaceae. 32 plant functional traits were measured on the 19 woody species, and 17 plant functional traits were measured on the 20 monocot species. Trait collections followed standardised published methodologies. The aim of this data was to assess the functional trait space occupied by Cerrado species and whether they differed according to vegetation type, and whether certain species or plants from certain environments were more or less resistant to drought stress. This research was supported by Natural Environment Research Council (Grant: NE/S000011/1).