The SEOSAW plot network
The SEOSAW partnership maintains a database of tree, grass, shrub, soil and other measurements gathered from long-term plots across Sub-Saharan Africa. A major activity of SEOSAW is collating these data and conducting analyses of the structure and function of the region’s vegetation.
The map above shows the locations of plots in the SEOSAW dataset. The map also shows the Biomes across Africa, with the plots in the SEOSAW dataset distributed primarily across dry forests, savannas shrubland and grassland in southern and eastern Africa, although we are starting to work in West Africa as well. These biomes are based on the Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World and may not reflect the reality of the vegetation types on the ground.
The SEOSAW dataset
The SEOSAW dataset is available for research purposes following agreement from the data contributors. SEOSAW maintains a strict data sharing agreement and code of conduct for SEOSAW members who wish to use SEOSAW data or contribute to the SEOSAW database. Please see the full Code of Conduct and the accompanying plain language summary. There is a list of collaborators using SEOSAW data here.
A sample of the dataset is available here.
There is a dataset manual available which covers the contents of the SEOSAW dataset and how it is generated from raw data.
Accessing the data
Who owns the data?
SEOSAW data belong to the people who collected them. SEOSAW standardises and stores the data in a common database, but the intellectual property belongs to whoever contributed them — data can only be used by others with the owner’s permission and for specific purposes.
SEOSAW puts most of its energy into supporting network members and researchers in the region, enabling regional-scale analyses that would be impossible for a single group alone. We also aim for the data set to be used in global analyses. Anyone can apply to use SEOSAW data, and we want the database to be as open and as widely used as possible.
Start by downloading and completing the data request form, then get in touch.
How to request data
The process takes about a month in total.
- 1
Submit your data request. Complete the data request form describing your science questions and approach. SEOSAW staff will respond within about one week with feedback, where possible.
- 2
Steering committee review. Your request is reviewed and approved by the SEOSAW Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) (~2 weeks). The SSC will consider the value of the data being requested and the proposed contribution to SEOSAW.
- 3
Data owner review. The relevant data owners approve or deny use of their data and indicate whether they would like to be involved in your research (~2 weeks).
- 4
Receive the data. SEOSAW facilitates access and helps you to meaningfully involve any interested SEOSAW partners in your research.
Explore the dataset
A sample of the tree dataset is freely available to help you scope your data request. The dataset manual describes the contents and how data are generated from raw measurements.
View data users