Data: Forage quality and biomass yield of the Management Experiment set up within the Jena Experiment

In the main experiment, 82 grassland plots of 20 x 20 m were established from a pool of 60 species belonging to four functional groups (grasses, legumes, tall and small herbs).

In May 2002, varying numbers of plant species from this species pool were sown into the plots to create different plant diversity levels (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 60 species) and a functional group gradient (including 1, 2, 3 and 4 functional groups). In 2006, five different management intensities were introduced on subplot level. The management intensities varied in fertilization levels and/or cutting frequencies (Weigelt et al. 2009).