Multi-sensor microclimate and tree canopy dataset from a linden tree for green infrastructure validation

Abstract

Validating microclimate simulation models requires accurate in-situ measurements across multiple spatial locations and environmental parameters. This dataset provides a detailed collection of microclimate observations gathered around a linden tree (Tilia cordata) located in Grünstadt, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, over a three-day period in June 2025. It includes high-resolution measurements of air temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, shortwave and longwave radiation, illuminance, leaf surface temperatures through thermal imaging, tree-sap flow, and a three-dimensional point cloud of the canopy structure. The data were collected using a combination of professional-grade instruments and low-cost microcontroller-based sensors, allowing for an assessment of affordable alternatives in urban microclimate monitoring. Validation against professional-grade reference instruments demonstrated an R2 > 0.99 for air temperature and strong agreement for radiative fluxes (R2 = 0.9888, RMSE = 35.7 W m−2), confirming the viability of these affordable alternatives. All data are available in standardized formats (CSV for time-series, LAS for point clouds, JPG for images) with comprehensive metadata documentation. This dataset supports research in sensor calibration, microclimate model validation, and the feasibility of high-resolution spatial monitoring using cost-effective sensor networks in urban vegetation studies.