Litterfall and nutrient dynamics in a montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest in Ailao Mountains, SW China
2003
Liu, W. | Fox, J.E.D. | Xu, Z.
Montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest, dominated by Lithocarpus and Castanopsis species, is the most extensive stand of subtropical mountain in Yunnan Province, SW China. Litter production, standing crop of litter on forest floor and nutrient return patterns were studied over nine years (1991-1999) in a stand of primary evergreen broad-leaved forest in northern crest of the Ailao Mountain Range. There were significant yearly variations in litter production, which is mainly related with the masting year of canopy species, and exceptional physical events (strong winds and snow) in the natural forest. The mean annual small litterfall is 7.12 t ha-1 yr-1 of which leaf litter account for 65% of the total litterfall. The seasonality of small litterfall was bia-modal, with the main one in the late dry season (April-May) and a lesser one in early winter (October¡November). Decomposition quotient value was relatively low with 0.58 for total small litterfall. Mean large-wood (> = 2.5 cm in diameter) ranged from 0.21 to 1.41 t ha-1 yr-1 with a mean of 0.52 t ha-1 yr-1. Concentrations of most elements in leaf and twig were slightly greater in wet months than dry months, except for C and K. Woody litter had low N and P concentrations compared with the leaf and reproductive parts. Nutrient return to the soil through small litterfall decrease in the order C>N>Ca>K>Mg>Mn>Al>P>Fe, while nutrient reserve in litter on the forest floor was in the declining sequence C>N>Ca>K>Mg>P>Fe>Al>Mn.
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