This data package contains data on mesquite soil surface nutrients at the Jornada Experimental Range (JER) during the early years of Jornada Basin LTER (LTER-I and II). The purpose of this study was to analyze surface nutrient dynamics associated with mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa). The mesquite soils were sampled at 4 habitats (playa, coppice dune, arroyo, and grassland) once a week for the month of October 1986. This data set contains analyses for gravimetric soil moisture, pH, phosphate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus, NO3-N nitrogen mineralization, total inorganic nitrogen, NH4 nitrogen mineralization, organic carbon, inorganic carbon, total roots, tap roots, intermediate roots, and fine roots. This data set is complete.