A dataset of groundwater level in the small watershed of Dinghushan Forest (2002 – 2020)

Groundwater is one of the important components in the hydrological cycle of the basin. Its dynamic change is of great value for understanding the hydrological regulation mechanism, the cycle of material elements and ecosystem service function of terrestrial ecosystem. Covered with subtropical monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest and its transitional vegetation types, Dinghushan National Nature Reserve has been well protected since the 1950s. Dinghushan Forest Ecosystem Research Station set up four groundwater level observation wells downstream of the complete catchment area of Dinghushan Nature Reserve according to the observation specifications and quality control requirements of terrestrial ecosystem water environment, so as to carry out long-term standardized positioning observation of the depth of groundwater level. This dataset collates the long-term monitoring data of four groundwater level observation wells from 2002 to 2020. It is aimed to provide basic data support for the study of groundwater response process, the evaluation of hydrological service function of forest ecosystem and the sustainable management of forest resources under the background of global climate change.