The far north Queensland microclimate (FNQ-microclim) is an ongoing long-term microclimate monitoring project from across five tropical rainforest sites (Daintree Rainforest SuperSite, Cape Tribulation; Daintree Rainforest SuperSite, Cow Bay; Rex Range; Mt. Lewis National Park; and Mt. Bellenden Ker), located within an elevation range of 40 - 1550 m a.s.l. Microclimate parameters include: a) air temperature (about 15 cm above ground), b) near surface temperature at the interface between soil and air (less than 1 cm above ground), c) top soil temperature (about 8 cm below ground), and d) top soil moisture (up to 10 cm below ground). Data are recorded every 15 minutes using the TMS-4 sensors (Temperature Moisture Sensor, T.M.O.S.T s.r.o, Prague, Czech Republic).

The data set contains information on topsoil chemistry for 20, 10 cm deep soil cores sampled along an elevation gradient (40-1550 m a.s.l.) in Far North Queensland. Information on soil C:N, N:P and C:P ratios and soil pH and organic matter content are provided. Soil elemental composition such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulphur, iron, manganese, boron, aluminum, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, and cadmium are also provided. In addition, the data set contains information on soil δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotope concentration.