Litter production and forest floor nutrient dynamics in pine and hardwood stands of New Brunswick, Canada

Biomass and nutrient transfer (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) of overstory (branches and leaves) and understory litter fall were examined over a two year period in four jack pine stands aged 16, 29, 49 and 57 years and four mixed hardwood stands aged 7, 17, 20 and 29 years. Relative amounts of the five nutrients in litter fall for both series of stands were N > K ≷ Ca > P = Mg. Return of mineral elements to the forest floor was generally twice as high on the hardwood stands as for similarly aged pine stands. Overall return of nutrients plotted versus stand age generally exhibited a plateau relationship, with relatively little difference among stands; however, some exceptions occurred. Understory contribution to litter fall was very important on these stands, since in most cases the nutrient mass in understory litter was usually similar to or higher than that from the tree layer. Data on forest floor biomass, nutrient distribution and turnover rates of these stands were also presented; mobility of nutrients in the forest floor was in the order K > Mg ≥ P ≥ Ca ≥ N.     

天然枫桦红松林凋落量动态及养分归还量

三年定位研究表明小兴安岭天然枫桦红松林年均凋落量有5.8t／ha(干重)。凋落量的季节变化格局是随着气候变冷有一明显秋季凋落高峰期(9—10月)。凋落物每年养分的归还量：Ca、N、K、Mg、P,相应为67.0、56.9、14.8、9.5、和6.6kg／ha,总计155.0kg／ha。据测定阔叶树落叶养分含量明显高于所有针叶的含量。尽管阔叶树的年凋落量仅占该混交林的年总凋落量的三分之一,阔叶树落叶仍有相当高的养分比例(43.4%)归还土壤。因此,红松林分的经营管理中,保留适当比重的阔叶树有利于土壤改良和促进林分生长。     

Effect of legume understorey on decomposition and nutrient content of eucalypt forest litter

Summary In Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest of south-western Australia dense germination and regeneration of the native legumeAcacia Pulchella R. Br. can occur following moderate to high intensity fire. The effect of this legume understorey on rate of decomposition and change in nutrient content ofE. marginata litter was investigated using the mesh bag techniques and by examining four components of forest floor litter representing increasing stages of decomposition. E. marginata leaf litter confined in mesh bags lost 37% of its initial dry weight in the first 8 months on the forest floor and 44% of its initial dry weight after 20 months. During this period weight loss was similar for leaf litter located in forest without legume understorey and for leaf litter placed under dense stands ofA. pulchella. MixingA. pulchella litter withE. marginata litter had no significant effect on rate ofE. marginata litter breakdown. The presence of understorey vegetation had a marked effect on chemical composition of decomposingE. marginata leaves. After 8 and 20 months exposure on the forest floor, leaf litter in mesh bags placed underA. pulchella understorey had significantly (P<0.001) higher concentration and contained significantly (P<0.001) greater amounts of N, P, K, S, Ca and Mg than leaf litter placed in areas without legume understorey. This effect was particularly marked for N and P. In forest without legume understorey the amounts of these two nutrients inE. marginata leaf litter changed little during the first 20 months of decomposition, but forE. marginata leaf litter in mesh bags underA. pulchella there were absolute gains of up to 68% in the amount of N and 109% in the amount of P during this period. This represents accumulation of N and P from sources outside the litter bags. The concentration of N, P, S, Ca and Mg were higher at each of the four stages of decomposition in eucalypt leaf litter collected from the forest floor beneathA. pulchella compared to eucalypt leaf litter collected in forest without understorey. Concentrations of N, P and S increased with stage of decomposition. Levels of these three nutrients in eucalypt litter from under the legume were 1.5 to 2.9 fold higher than in the same component of litter from forest without understorey. The effect of legume understorey on nutrient concentrations in the forest floor and on Cielement ratios in decomposing litter is discussed in relation to long term rates of litter breakdown and net mineralisation of litter nutrients.     

亚热带杉木纯林生态系统中营养元素的积累、分配和循环的研究

本文是1980--1983年本所湖南会同森林生态实验站成年杉木纯林中进行定位研究根据所取得的观测资料,分析和论述了营养元素在林内的积累与分配;以及从降雨中的输入量,计算了营养元素的年吸收量和归还量。研究表明,杉木纯林在21--23年生时,即达到主伐年龄期,营养元素年吸收量仍大于归还量,整个林分还处在养分消耗阶段。     

杉木观光木混交林凋落物分解及养分释放的研究（英文）

 通过福建省中亚热带杉木观光木混交林(Cunninghamia lanceolata and Tsoongiodendron odorum mixed forest)和杉木纯林(Pure C. lanceolata forest)凋落物的分解和养分释放动态试验研究表明,凋落物各组分分解过程中干物质损失速率随时间而减小,分解1年时以观光木叶的干重损失最大。各组分分解过程中N、P元素浓度增加而K和C元素浓度下降。混交林中各组分的养分释放速率大小为观光木叶>混合样品（等重量的观光木叶和杉木叶混合）>杉木叶>杉木     

Nutrient cycling in Pinus sylvestris stands in eastern Finland

Nutrient cycling within three Pinus sylvestris stands was studied in eastern Finland. The aim of the study was to determine annual fluxes and distribution of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, B, and Al in the research stands. Special emphasis was put on determining the importance of different fluxes, especially the internal cycle within the trees in satisfying the tree nutrient requirements for biomass production. The following nutrient fluxes were included, input; free precipitation and throughfall, output; percolation through soil profile, biological cycle; nutrient uptake from soil, retranslocation within trees, return to soil in litterfall, release by litter decomposition. The distribution of nutrients was determined in above- and belowground tree compartments, in ground and field vegetation, and in soil.The nitrogen use efficiencies were 181, 211 and 191 g of tree aboveground dry matter produced per g of N supplied by uptake and retranslocation in the sapling, pole stage and mature stands, respectively. Field vegetation was more efficient in nitrogen use than trees. Stand belowground/aboveground and fine root/coarse root biomass ratios decreased with tree age. With only slightly higher fine root biomass, almost three times more nitrogen had to be taken-up from soil for biomass production in the mature stand than in the sapling stand.The annual input-output balances of most nutrients were positive; throughfall contained more nutrients than was lost in mineral soil leachate. The sulphate flux contributed to the leaching of cations, especially magnesium, from soil in the mature stand.Retranslocation supplied 17–42% of the annual N, P and K requirements for tree aboveground biomass production. Precipitation and throughfall were important in transferring K and Mg, and also N in the sapling stand. Litterfall was an important pathway for N, Ca, Mg and micro nutrients, especially in the oldest stands.     

Structure and function of shisham forests in central Himalaya,India: nutrient dynamics

The structure and function of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.) forests were investigated in relation to nutrient dynamics in 5- to 15-year-old stands growing in central Himalaya. Nutrient concentrations and storage in different layers of vegetation were in the order: tree > shrub > herb. Forest soil, litter and vegetation accounted for 80.1-91.9, 1.0-1.5 and 7.0-18.4%, respectively, of the total nutrients in the system. There were considerable reductions (trees 32.8-43.1; shrubs 26.2-32.4; and herbs 18-8-22-2%) in nutrient concentrations of leaves during senescence. Nutrient uptake by the vegetation as a whole and also by the different components, with and without adjustment for internal recycling, was investigated. Annual transfer of litter nutrients to the soil from vegetation was 74.8-108.4 kg ha(-1) year(-1) N, 56.8-4 kg ha(-1) year(-1) P and 38.7-46.9 kg ha(-1) year(-1) K. Turnover rate and time for different nutrients ranged between 56 and 66 % year(-1) and 1.5 and 1.8 years, respectively. The turnover rate of litter indicates that over 50% of nutrients in litter on the forest floor are released, which ultimately enhances the productivity of the forest stand. The nutrient use efficiency in Shisham forests ranged from 136 to 143 kg ha(-1) year(-1) for N, 1,441 to 1,570 kg ha(-1) year(-1) for P and 305 to 311 kg ha(-1) year(-1) for K. Compared with natural oak forest (265 kg ha(-1) year(-1) and an exotic eucalypt plantation (18 kg ha(-1) year(-1), a higher proportion of nutrients was retranslocated in Shisham forests, largely because of higher leaf tissue nutrient concentrations. This indicates a lower nutrient use efficiency of Shisham compared with eucalypt and oak. Compartment models for nutrient dynamics have been developed to represent the distribution of nutrients pools and net annual fluxes within the system.     

Nutrients in the litter on jarrah forest soils

The amount of litter and its nutrient composition have been measured at seven sites on various lateritic soils within the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest near Dwellingup, Western Australia. The weight of litter accumulated during 6 years ranges from 9 tonnes/ha for forest growing on yellow sand to 18 tonnes/ha for forest on reddish gravels. The litter on the reddish gravels contains more than twice the amounts of N, P, K and S in litter on yellow sand and grey and yellow gravels. The proportion of fine material in the forest floor litter increases with total litter weight. Phosphorus, which is less mobile than other nutrients tends to accumulate in this fine component. There are large differences between the foliar nutrient levels of jarrah and Banksia grandis Willd. (e.g. P: 0.041%, 0.025%; K: 0.57%, 0.34%; Mg: 0.43%, 0.21%; Mn: 177 μg/g. 730 μg/g). However, these differences are not reflected in the litter from sites with and without B. grandis understorey. Soil differences and the predominant contribution of the overstorey to the litter appear to be the main factors affecting the litter composition.     

不同林龄马尾松凋落物基质质量与土壤养分的关系

凋落物的质量、数量及分解速率在一定程度上代表了土壤的营养状况。为了精确估算凋落物分解对土壤碳库的年净归还量及凋落物-土壤生物化学连续体的深层理解,从凋落物基质质量的角度分析了三峡库区不同林龄马尾松凋落物基质质量与土壤养分的作用关系,结果表明:中龄林、近熟林、成熟林马尾松凋落物基质质量中的C、C/N比、C/P比、木质素/N比、木质素/P比差异显著,其中近熟林凋落物叶木质素/N分别比中龄林和成熟林的高33.65%、39.24%,N、P、K、木质素含量差异不显著;但各组织器官的N、P、K含量差异显著,均是皮<枝<叶<杂物,C/N比、C/P比的变化则相反。不同林龄马尾松0-20 cm(0-5 cm、5-10 cm、10-20 cm)土壤有机质、总氮、有效磷含量均表现出近熟林<中龄林<成熟林,0-5 cm最大,10-20 cm最小,且随着土壤深度的增加而明显降低,总磷则是中林龄最低,成熟林最大,pH值则各土层均表现为中龄林<成熟林<近熟林,平均pH值为4.55-5.51。凋落物基质质量指标与土壤养分之间冗余分析(RDA)表明:马尾松凋落物基质质量和土壤养分之间关系紧密,N、P、纤维素、半纤维素、木质素、木质素/N比、C/N比对土壤养分影响比较大;凋落物中木质素/N比、C/N比与土壤有机质呈显著负相关,其含量越高越不利于土壤有机质的形成,土壤养分积累的越慢;凋落物基质质量氮含量与土壤氮含量呈显著正相关;土壤pH值、容重与N含量呈显著负相关,与凋落物C/N比、木质素/N比呈显著正相关。马尾松土壤表面有机质、N、P养分含量与凋落物基质质量对应养分含量变化规律一致,土壤养分高,凋落物基质质量相对较高,土壤贫瘠,凋落物基质质量相对较低。     

干热河谷区不同林龄赤桉叶中养分含量和再吸收率的比较及其线性回归分析

以种植于干热河谷区的赤桉(Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.)幼龄林、中龄林和成熟林为研究对象,分析了赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶中养分(包括N、P、K、Ca、Mg和Na)的含量和化学计量比,并计算各养分的再吸收率;在此基础上,对鲜叶和凋落叶中各养分的含量与再吸收率进行线性回归分析.结果表明:成熟林赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶的有机碳、全氮、全磷、全钾和全钠含量总体上高于幼龄林,而全钙和全镁含量则低于幼龄林;且鲜叶中的全氮、全磷、全钾、全钠和全镁含量总体上高于凋落叶,而有机碳和全钙含量则低于凋落叶.成熟林赤桉鲜叶和凋落叶的C:N比、鲜叶的N:P比和N:K比以及凋落叶的K:P比和Ca:Mg比均低于幼龄林,但其鲜叶的K:P比和Ca:Mg比及凋落叶的N:P比和N:K比则高于幼龄林;且不同林龄鲜叶的C:N比、K:P比和Ca:Mg比均低于凋落叶.各林龄赤桉叶的Ca再吸收率及幼龄林和中龄林叶的Na再吸收率均为负值,而其余养分的再吸收率均为正值;随林龄增长,N、K和Mg的再吸收率先升高后降低,而P、Ca和Na的再吸收率却先降低后升高;总体上看,赤桉叶中各养分的再吸收率从高到低依次为P、N、K、Mg、Na、Ca.线性回归分析结果表明:赤桉鲜叶的全钾和全钠含量分别与K和Na再吸收率呈极显著正相关(P<001),全钙含量与Ca再吸收率呈显著正相关(P<005);而凋落叶的全氮含量与N再吸收率呈极显著负相关,全镁含量与Mg再吸收率呈显著负相关.综合分析结果显示:林龄对赤桉叶的养分含量和再吸收率有明显影响,其保存养分的能力随林龄增长呈现先增强后减弱的趋势.     

The Role of Wood Ants (Formica rufa group) in Carbon and Nutrient Dynamics of a Boreal Norway Spruce Forest Ecosystem

Wood ants (Formica rufa group) are regarded as keystone species in boreal and mountain forests of Europe and Asia by their effect on ecosystem carbon (C) and nutrient pools and fluxes. To quantify the impact of their activity on boreal forest ecosystems, C, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) pools and fluxes in wood ant nests (WAN), and soil were assessed along a 5-, 30-, 60-, and 100-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karsten) dominated successional gradient in eastern Finland. Amounts of C and nutrients in WAN increased with stand age, but contained less than 1% of total C and nutrient pools in these stands. The CO₂-efflux from nests was also insignificant, as compared to CO₂-efflux from the forest floor. Annually, the amount of C brought by wood ants into their nests as honeydew, prey and nest-building materials ranged from 2.7 to 49.3 kg ha^?1 C, but this is only 0.1–0.7% of the combined net primary production of trees and understorey in boreal forests. The difference between wood ant nest C inputs and outputs was very small in the younger-aged stands, and increased in the older stands. Carbon accumulation rates in nests over a 100 year period are estimated to be less than 10 kg ha^?1 a^?1. In contrast to C, annual inputs of N, P, and K are larger compared to wood ant nest nutrient pool size, ranging from 3 to 6% of the annual tree stand and understorey uptake. This indicates a more rapid turnover and transport of N, P, and K out of WAN, and suggests that wood ants increase the cycling rate of these nutrients in boreal forests.     

Latitudinal Patterns and Climatic Drivers of Leaf Litter Multiple Nutrients in Chinese Broad-Leaved Tree Species: Does Leaf Habit Matter?

Leaf litter nutrients play a key role in nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, yet our current knowledge of the ways in which climate controls leaf litter nutrients remains uncertain, especially for broad-leaved tree species in China. We performed a meta-analysis of geographic patterns of leaf litter nutrients of Chinese broad-leaved tree species in relation to climatic variables and leaf habit (as a discrete classification of tree species). We found that mean leaf litter carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were 458.36, 10.11, 0.72, 6.37, 14.22 and 2.59 mg^?1 g, respectively. Leaf litter nutrients did not diverge between leaf habits where they coexisted. These leaf litter nutrients displayed significant latitudinal trends, partly driven by climatic factors and a shift in leaf habit. Mean annual precipitation explained the largest amount of total variation in leaf litter C, N, P and K, and mean annual temperature was the most important predictor for leaf litter Mg, whereas leaf habit was the largest contributor to total variation in leaf litter Ca. We further found that the relationships between climate and leaf litter nutrients were distinguishable for evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved tree species. Collectively, our study differed from previous studies that evaluated leaf litter nutrients and only focused on N and P, and substantiated that leaf litter nutrients in forest ecosystems were affected by climate and leaf habit, but the strengths of the influences of these factors were strongly contingent on leaf litter nutrient identity. Therefore, alteration of climate would directly and indirectly (via a shift in species composition) affect latitudinal patterns of leaf litter nutrients and thus the associated nutrient flux and ecosystem functioning. Our study also underlined the need to include multiple nutrients to explore the influence of climate on leaf litter nutrient stoichiometry.     

Nutrient return with leaf litter fall in Fagus sylvatica forests across a soil fertility gradient

Leaf litter fall is an important nutrient flux in temperature deciduous forests which supplies a large part of the rapidly mineralisable nutrient fraction to the soil. This study investigates nutrient return with leaf litter fall in 36 old-growth forest stands of Fagus sylvatica across a broad gradient of soil fertility covering 9 mesozoic and kaenozoic parent material types (three limestones, two sandstones, two clay stones, one sand and one loess substrate). Study objectives were to analyse (i) the dependency of leaf litter nutrient concentrations on soil fertility, and (ii) the relationship between soil fertility and nutrient return with leaf litter at the stand level. Beech stands on the nine parent material types produced similar annual leaf litter masses irrespective of soil fertility or acidity. Leaf litter from the nine parent materials showed only minor variation with respect to N and K concentrations (factors of 1.5 and 1.4), moderate variation for Ca, Mg and P concentrations (factors of 2.2 to 2.9), and high variation for Al and Mn concentrations (factors of 6.7 and 10.5). Consequently, annual nutrient return with litter fall (leaf litter mass x litter nutrient concentration) was more similar among the parent materials for N (165–273 mmol m⁻² yr1) ⁻¹ and K (16–30 mm m⁻² yr⁻¹) than for Ca, P, Mg, Mn and Al. A possible explanation is increased N deposition in recent time. According to a correlation analysis, return rates of N, P, K and Mg (but not Ca) were independent of the pool size of the respective nutrient in the soil. N return rate was neither influenced by the soil pools of Nt, plant- available P (Pa) or exchangeable Ca, K and Mg, nor by soil acidity or the exchangeable Al pool. P return, in contrast, showed a negative relation to soil fertility. We hypothesize that nutrient fluxes with leaf litter fall do not necessarily reduce the fitness of tree populations as has been postulated from a tree-centred view. Rather, we suggest that nutrient fluxes with litter fall can increase, instead of decrease, plant fitness by improving nutrient availability in the densely rooted topsoil which reduces the roots’ carbon and nutrient costs of nutrient acquisition.     

Tree-microbial biomass competition for nutrients in a temperate deciduous forest,central Germany

Aims

Our goals were (1) to determine whether tree species diversity affects nutrient (N, P and K) cycling, and (2) to assess whether there is competition for these nutrients between microbial biomass and trees.

Methods

We measured nutrient resorption efficiency by trees, nutrient contents in leaf litterfall, decomposition rates of leaf litter, nutrient turnover in decomposing leaf litter, and plant-available nutrients in the soil in mono-species stands of beech, oak, hornbeam and lime and in mixed-species stands, each consisting of three of these species.

Results

Cycling of nutrients through leaf litter input and decomposition were influenced by the types of tree species and not simply by tree species diversity. Trees and microbial biomass were competing strongly for P, less for K and only marginally for N. Such competition was most pronounced in mono-species stands of beech and oak, which had low nutrient turnover in their slow decomposing leaf litter, and less in mono-species stands of hornbeam and lime, which had high nutrient turnover in their fast decomposing leaf litter.

Conclusions

The low soil P and K availability in beech stands, which limit the growth of beech at Hainich, Germany, were alleviated by mixing beech with hornbeam and lime. These species-specific effects on nutrient cycling and soil nutrient availability can aid forest management in improving productivity and soil fertility.

     

Nutrient Cycling in an Age Sequence of Western Washington Douglas-fir Stands

The cycling of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium andpotassium in a series of western Washington Douglas-fir [Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco] stands ranging in age from 9 to 95years has been described. The stands were of relatively lowproductivity being limited by low nitrogen. The content of nitrogen,phosphorus, magnesium and potassium in tree foliage all tendedto stabilize at about 40 years whereas calcium continued toincrease. The content of all nutrients in the wood continuedto increase with stand age. Nitrogen in the forest floor accumulatedconstantly at about 5.7 kg ha^–1 year^–1 and thistogether with the above-ground tree accumulation meant about10.5 kg ha^–1 year^–1 nitrogen was immobilized. Calciumalso increased with time in the forest floor with age whereasthe other nutrients were fairly constant after about 30 years.Understorey nutrient content reached a peak at about 20 years,while understorey litter-fall was significant throughout theage sequence. Internal redistribution, especially of nitrogen,represented an increasingly greater proportion of stand requirementwith increasing stand maturity. Pseudotsuga menziesti (Mirb.) Franco, Douglas-fir, biomass, litter-fall, nutrient content, nutrient cycling     

Nutrient distributions and bio-cycle characteristics in both natural and artificial Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forests in hilly loess regions

Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest, the dominant community in Ziwuling Mountain lying in the hilly loess region, was studied for its nutrient distributions and bio-cycle characteristics in both natural and artificial forms. The results showed that the changes in the nutrient contents for different components in the same Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest stood in the order of needles > branches > bark > roots > bole. The aboveground nutrient elements in needles, branches, bark bole and litterfalls stood in the order of Ca > N > K > Mg > P, but the nutrients stored in the soil stood in the order of Ca > K > Mg > N > P. The accumulated amounts of nutrients increased first and then decreased with the increased age of the forest. The nutrient amounts reached their maximum when the stand was 30 years old, and decreased greatly when it was 50 years old. The 30-year-old artificial Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest had the highest annual accumulated amount of nutrients, and different stands stood in the order of II > III > IV > I. Comparatively, annual accumulated nutrients in different components stood in the order of needles > branches > roots > bark > bole. It was also suggested that the amounts of nutrients annually taken in from and retained in the natural Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest were significantly higher than those in artificial forests. The coefficients of nutrient use in various Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. stands stood in the order of Ca > Mg > N > K > P, but the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of the same element decreased with increased age of the forest. There were no differences in the utilization coefficient and the turnover period of nutrients in both natural and artificial matured Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forests.     

Nutrient distributions and bio-cycle characteristics in both natural and artificial Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forests in hilly loess regions

Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest, the dominant community in Ziwuling Mountain lying in the hilly loess region, was studied for its nutrient distributions and bio-cycle characteristics in both natural and artificial forms. The results showed that the changes in the nutrient contents for different components in the same Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest stood in the order of needles > branches > bark > roots > bole. The aboveground nutrient elements in needles, branches, bark bole and litterfalls stood in the order of Ca > N > K > Mg > P, but the nutrients stored in the soil stood in the order of Ca > K > Mg > N > P. The accumulated amounts of nutrients increased first and then decreased with the increased age of the forest. The nutrient amounts reached their maximum when the stand was 30 years old, and decreased greatly when it was 50 years old. The 30-year-old artificial Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest had the highest annual accumulated amount of nutrients, and different stands stood in the order of II > III > IV > I. Comparatively, annual accumulated nutrients in different components stood in the order of needles > branches > roots > bark > bole. It was also suggested that the amounts of nutrients annually taken in from and retained in the natural Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forest were significantly higher than those in artificial forests. The coefficients of nutrient use in various Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. stands stood in the order of Ca > Mg > N > K > P, but the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of the same element decreased with increased age of the forest. There were no differences in the utilization coefficient and the turnover period of nutrients in both natural and artificial matured Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. forests.     

Litter decomposition contrasts in second- and old-growth Douglas-fir forests of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Litterfall and its subsequent decomposition are important feedback mechanisms in the intrasystem cycling of nutrients in forest ecosystems. The amount of litterfall and the rate of decomposition are expected to vary with stand age and climate. Over a 2-year period, decomposition of five litter types were measured in two second-growth forest stands and one old-growth stand in the Cascade Mountains of southern Washington state, USA. Both second-growth stands were dominated by Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.,) Franco] but one had a significant proportion of red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.), a nitrogen (N) fixer. The old-growth stand was dominated by Douglas-fir and western hemlock [Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.]. All stands had a relatively shallow layer of forest floor mass. The five litter types were placed in each stand to evaluate decomposition patterns. Despite significant differences in stand age, microclimate and mean residence times for carbon (C) and N, the rates of litter mass loss varied only slightly between sites. The relative order of species litter mass loss was: vine maple ≫ salal = western hemlock > Douglas-fir (from the youngest stand) > Douglas-fir (from the N rich stand with red alder). The initial litter lignin concentration, not lignin:N, was the primary determinant of decomposition rates, although the initial N concentration was the predictor for mass loss after 2 years in the N rich Douglas-fir-alder stand. All litter types showed immobilization of N for nearly 2 years. Data for Douglas-fir litter suggest that higher levels of N may retard decomposition of tissues with greater amounts of lignified material. The retention of N by the litter appeared influenced by the nutrient capital of the stands as well as the forest floor C:N ratio. Decomposition was minimal during the cold winter months, but displayed a definitive peak period during early Fall with wet weather, warm soils, and fungal activity. Thus, long-term climatic change effects on forest floor C storage may depend more on changes in seasonality of precipitation changes than just temperature changes.     

Dry matter and nutrient inputs through litter fall in a dry tropical forest of India

The present paper elucidates the pattern of leaf and non-leaf fall and quantifies of the total annual input of litter in a dry tropical forest of India. In addition, concentration of selected nutrients in various litter species and their annual return to the forest floor are examined. Total annual input of litter measured in litter traps ranged between 488.0–671.0 g m^-2 of which 65–72% was leaf litter fall and 28–35% wood litter fall. 73–81% leaves fall during the winter season. Herbaceous litter fall ranged between 80.0–110.0 g m^-2 yr^-1. The annual nutrient return through litter fall amounted (kg ha^-1): 51.6–69.6 N, 3.1–4.3 P, 31.0–40.0 Ca, 14.0–19.0 K and 3.7–5.0 Na, of which 71–77% and 23–29% were contributed by leaf and wood litter fall, respectively for different nutrients. Input of nutrients through herbaceous litter was: 13.0–16.6 for N, 1.0–1.4 for P, 4.0–5.0 for Ca, 7.9–10.5 for K and 0.8–1.0 kg ha^-1 yr^-1 for Na.     

A quantitative study of the forest floor biomass,litter fall and nutrient return in a Pinus roxburghii forest in Kumaun Himalaya

The present paper reports on the forest floor biomass, litter fall, nutrient return and turnover of organic matter in a Pinus roxburghii forest in Kumaun Himalaya. Peak values of fresh leaf litter, partially decomposed litter and wood litter on the forest floor occurred in April, May and September, respectively. The relative contribution of partially decomposed material to total forest floor biomass remained greatest throughout the annual cycle. The biomass of herbaceous vegetation was maximal in September with a total annual net production of 151 g m^-2. The total annual litter fall was 895 g m^-2, of which tree, shrub and herb litters accounted for 82.4%, 0.6%, and 16.8%, respectively. Annual nutrient return in kg ha^-1 through litter fall amounted to 278.6 ash, 73.9 N, 5.5 P, 79.7 Ca, 15.1Mg, 20.7 K and 3.6Na. The turnover rate for tree litter was 48% and that for various nutrients on the forest floor ranged between 40–79%.