Data from: Vegetation dynamics 1946–2018 in an old-growth conifer forest

<p>We analysed ground vegetation in 250 plots in 2018 in the old-growth <em>Picea abies-</em>dominated<em> </em>forest Säby Västerskog, SE Sweden as a follow-up of studies in 1946 and 1998 with the same layout of plots. The vegetation changes were not clearly directional: the species composition in 2018 was intermediate between that of 1946 and 1998, whereas in 1998 species richness was higher and with the unique presence of a number of species indicating small-scale disturbances. <em>Vaccinium myrtillus</em> increased in cover since 1946 and <em>Avenella flexuosa</em> decreased. This goes against regional trends, attributed to climate warming and changes in nitrogen deposition. Regional changes are overshadowed by fine-scale disturbances and micro-successions.</p>