Dataset for developing allometric models to estimate aboveground biomass in secondary tropical dry forests of western Mexico

This paper presents a dataset on tree size and aboveground biomass for 303 trees from 27 tropical dry forest species harvested along a chronosequence of secondary forests on the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. The studied species account for ∼80% of the total basal area across secondary forest stands in this landscape. Data were generated through destructive sampling of 9 to 14 individuals per species, covering their full diameter at breast height (DBH) distribution. Before harvesting, each tree was measured, cut at ground level, and its fresh mass was determined. For dry mass calculation, a wood sample taken from the base of each tree was oven-dried in the laboratory following a standardized protocol to estimate water content and total dry mass. This dataset includes the following variables for each harvested tree: DBH, total height (H), and aboveground dry biomass (AGB). This information provides valuable data for developing allometric models that can be applied to similar secondary tropical dry forests at broader spatial scales, including regional, national, or pantropical contexts.