Data for: Interspecific plant competition increases soil labile organic carbon and nitrogen contents

Plant competition can impose species-specific effects on the dynamics of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) through rhizosphere processes and litter input. Here, we collected subsoils containing low N from a subtropical forest and planted eight dominant tree species (two deciduous and six evergreens) in these soils in a greenhouse to explore the effects of interspecific plant competition on plant growth, soil C and N contents, and soil C and N mineralization rates after the plants had grown for 12 months. Soil labile organic C and N contents were represented by soil extractable organic C (EOC) and extractable organic N (EON) contents. The relative interaction intensity (RII) of mixed treatments was calculated to quantify the effects of interspecific plant competition.