Regional variation in rate of mass loss of Pinus sylvestris needle litter in Swedish pine forests as influenced by climate and litter quality

The climatic influence on plant litter decomposition has been successfully correlated on a regional level by using estimated actual evapotranspiration (AET) and annual mass loss. This approach was applied to decomposition studies carried out in a transect along Sweden with litter incubated in four different forest types. A unified needle litter was used and among 14 Scots pine sites about 80% of the mass‐loss rate could be explained. A simple model was made on the influence of both climate and nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus) on mass‐loss rate. About 90% of the first‐year mass loss could be explained by this approach. As early decomposition stages were studied (<40%) no influence of lignin was observed.     

气候和枯落物质量对印度东部亚热带森林凋落叶分解和营养回归的影响(英文)

为了评价印度东部曼尼普尔亚热带橡树混交林中的土壤养分收支平衡情况,研究了全年不同月份的3个主要树种,枹栎(Quercus serrata)、木荷(Schima wallichi)和滇石栎(Lithocarpus dealbata)的枯落物分解和营养回归情况。印度东部橡树林是生产柞蚕丝的重要经济树种。林下2-7月月枯落物为25.6 g·m-2(7月)和198.0 g·m-2(2月),年枯落物为1093 8g·m-2。在初始月(11月3),滇石栎森林壤土的氮和碳浓度最高,其次是在枹栎林。最低的是木荷林。但就木质素和纤维素含而言,木荷林中的最高,其次是袍栎林和滇石栎林。滇石栎林(k=0.54)具有较高的枯落物分解率,这与月初枯落物中含有较高的氮和碳浓度以及低含量的纤维素相符合。然而,在木荷森林中枯落物分解率低,是与月初时森林土中具有低浓度氮和碳及高浓度木质素和纤维素相符合。在不同月份,剩余的生物量与木质素、碳、碳氮比和纤维素含量呈正相关,但与氮含量呈负相关。由于环境条件的影响,在寒冷和冬季枯落物分解率最低,而在雨季枯落物分解率最高。图3表5参52。     

Long-term dynamics of leaf and root decomposition and nitrogen release in a grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) stands

The decomposition of the leaf litter, fine roots (d?<?2?mm) and coarser roots (2?≤?d?<?5?mm) of grey alder and silver birch, as well as of α-cellulose sheets using the litterbag method was studied in two experimental stands on Podzoluvisol soils in Southern Estonia. For both tree species, the coarser roots decomposed faster than the fine roots, (p?<?.05), tree species did not affect the decomposition rate of the roots (p?>?.5). The nitrogen (N) input to soil from aboveground litter was multiple times higher than the N flux from roots. The remaining relative ash-free mass of the leaves of grey alder and silver birch after three and a half years was similar. After 11 years the remaining relative ash-free mass of the fine and coarser roots of grey alder still accounted for around 10% of the initial value. For silver birch the remaining value was around 20% after 9 years. The litterbag method to underestimates in fertile soils the decomposition of organic matter and thus did not reflect the actual dynamics of decomposition.     

Effects of clearcutting and alternative silvicultural systems on rates of decomposition and nitrogen mineralization in a coastal montane coniferous forest

Rates of litter decomposition and N mineralization were measured in an old growth forest and in adjacent areas harvested by clearcut, patch cut, shelterwood and green tree retention systems. The site was a montane forest of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.) and amabilis fir (Abies amabilis Dougl.) on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. During the first two years after harvesting, weight loss of needle litter was fastest in the old growth forest, possibly owing to higher moisture in surface layers in the uncut forest during the summer. Forest floor material lost about 10% of its initial weight during the two years in all systems. In-situ rates of net N mineralization in the forest floor were greatest in the clearcut and least in the old growth. Concentrations of nitrate were greater in the clearcut than in the other systems or the old growth. The results indicated that alternative silvicultural systems affected N mineralization less than clearcutting, and that the increase in N mineralization and nitrification after clearcutting was not the result of faster decomposition of organic matter. Reduced input of fresh litter and the resulting decline in C availability and immobilization of N into microbial biomass may better explain the increase in N availability alter clearcutting in this ecosystem.     

A comparison of decomposition dynamics among green tree leaves,partially decomposed tree leaf litter and their mixture in a warm temperate forest ecosystem

Decomposition dynamics were compared among green tree leaves, partially decomposed tree leaf litter (i.e., decayed tree leaf litter on forest floor) and a mixture of the two in a warm temperate forest ecosystem in central China to test the influence of litter chemical quality on the degree of decomposition. The study was conducted in situ at two contrasting forest sites, an oak forest dominated by Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Maxim., and a mixed pine and oak forest dominated by Pinus armandii Franch. and Q. aliena var. acuteserrata. We found marked differences in the rate of decomposition among litter types at both forest sites; the litter decomposition constant, k, was about 39 % greater at the oak forest site and more than 70 % greater at the pine-oak forest site, for green leaves than for partially decomposed leaf litter. The decomposition dynamics and temporal changes in litter chemistry of the three litter types also greatly differed between the two forest sites. At both forest sites, the higher rate of decomposition for the green leaves was associated with a higher nitrogen (N) content and lower carbon to N ratio (C/N) and acid-unhydrolyzable residue to N ratio (AUR/N). We did not find any non-additive effects when mixing green leaves and partially decomposed leaf litter. Our findings support the contention that litter chemical quality is one of the most important determinants of litter decomposition in forest ecosystems at the local or regional scale, but the effect of litter chemical quality on decomposition differs between the contrasting forest types and may vary with the stage of decomposition.     

Leaf-Litter Decomposition in an Oak-Conifer Forest in Himalaya: The Effects of Climate and Chemical Composition

The decomposition rates of certain dominant litter species inan undisturbed oak-conifer forest in the Kumaun Himalaya wereinvestigated by enclosing pre-weighed, newly senesced leavesin litter bags, placing these bags on the forest floor and determiningthe weight loss by recovering the bags at monthly intervals.Among the species examined, Daphne cannabina decomposed fastestand Cupressus torulosa decomposed most slowly. The former took6 months for complete decomposition, while Cupressus torulosadecomposed to about 72 per cent in 18 months. A linear combinationof rainfall and temperature explained 80 per cent of the variabilityin monthly weight loss. The rate of decomposition was also relatedto the initial chemical composition of the litter. Initially,several constituents showed a significant relation with decomposition;these are nitrogen, calcium, water soluble compounds, totalnonstructural carbohydrates, lignin, acid detergent cell wallcomponents and fibre. Of these, lignin and fibre contents showeda negative relation with weight loss while the others were positivelyrelated. As decomposition progressed, only nitrogen, lignin,ADCW and fibre content remained important. With further lapseof time only two constituents, nitrogen and lignin, remainedimportant. Among these the effect of nitrogen declined withtime while that of lignin increased. A linear combination ofnitrogen and lignin explained 59 per cent variability in theannual weight loss.     

Decomposition and nutrient release in needle litter from nitrogen‐fertilized scots pine (pinus sylvestris) stands

Decomposition of Scots pine needle litter originating from five stands treated with different amounts of nitrogen fertilizer was measured over a 4‐year period in a mature Scots pine forest. The litter types, which differed in initial concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, but not in gross organic composition, were studied with respect to mass loss, ingrowth of total fungal mycelium, and net release of nutrients. During the first year of decomposition, rates of mass loss and ingrowth of fungal mycelium were highest in the nutrient‐rich litter. Phosphorus concentration was found to be the main factor affecting mass‐loss rate, and the rate of fungal ingrowth was positively correlated with initial nitrogen concentration. After this initial period, decomposition rates decreased, and after 4 years, accumulated mass loss and amounts of fungal mycelium were similar in all five litter types. These findings may be due, in part, to a lower rate of lignin decomposition in nitrogen‐enriched litter. Of the elements, potassium and magnesium were most rapidly lost from the litter, and their release was most pronounced during the first year. Calcium release was proportional to the loss in organic matter. Initially, the release of nitrogen and phosphorus was positively related to their concentrations in litter, however, during later stages of decomposition the differences among litter types levelled out. There was a tendency for concentrations of all elements, except nitrogen, in the different litters to approach similar levels as decomposition proceeded. Thus, after 4 years the nutrient composition of the various litter types was very similar, except for higher nitrogen concentrations in the originally most nutrient‐rich litters. The importance of the results in terms of substrate quality in fertilized as well as in non‐fertilized forests is discussed.     

Effects of clear-cutting on decomposition processes in leaf litter and the nitrogen and lignin dynamics in a temperate secondary forest

The effects of clear-cutting on the decomposition rate of leaf litter and on nitrogen (N) and lignin dynamics were investigated in a temperate secondary forest. Decomposition processes were examined over an 18-month period by the litterbag method and compared between a clear-cut site and an adjacent uncut control site using leaf litter from five dominant tree species (Clethra barvinervis, Quercus serrata, Camellia japonica, Ilex pedunculosa and Pinus densiflora). The decomposition rate for litter from C. barvinervis, Q. serrata and I. pedunculosa was significantly greater in the clear-cut plot than in the control plot, and there was no significant difference between plots for C. japonica and P. densiflora. Water content of litter was consistently lower in the clear-cut plot than in the control plot. Nitrogen mass increased after 6 months in the control plot, whereas no net increase of N was observed in the clear-cut plot. Nitrogen concentration increased with respect to accumulated mass loss of litter and was consistently lower in the clear-cut plot for all five species. The mass of lignin remaining in decomposing litter was generally lower in the clear-cut plot, but lignin concentration in decomposing litter was not significantly different between the clear-cut and control plots.     

Long-term changes in forest floor processes in southern Appalachian forests

Soil nutrient concentrations decreased in an aggrading southern Appalachian forest over a 20-year period. Construction of nutrient budgets showed significant nutrient sequestration aboveground including increased forest floor mass. We hypothesized that the changes in forest floor mass resulted from decreased litter decomposition rates because of decreased litter quality. In 1992 and 1993, we repeated a litter decomposition experiment conducted in 1969 and 1970 to test this hypothesis. In addition, we examined microarthropod populations and functional groups as litter decomposed. For four of the five species tested, first-year decomposition rates were about the same in both experiments. Initial litter nutrient concentrations of P were lower in all tree species in the most recent sampling. N, Ca, and Mg concentrations also declined in some species. These declines often resulted in decreased nutrient release rates during decomposition. Microarthropod populations differed significantly among litter species, as well as between years (probably resulting from differences in growing-season rainfall). For some litter species we found significant relationships between microarthropod populations and nutrient concentration (primarily C and N); however, most r²-values were low. Data suggest that changes in forest floor mass probably resulted from decreased litter quality and that those changes may have an effect on microarthropod populations.     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips typographus</Emphasis> (L.) damage on litter quality and decomposition rates of Oriental Spruce [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea Orientalis</Emphasis> (L.) Link.] in Hatila Valley National Park,Turkey

This study investigated the effects of Ips typographus (L.) damage on initial litter quality parameters and subsequent decomposition rates of oriental spruce tree species [Picea orientalis (L.) Link]. The needle litter was collected from highly damaged, moderately damaged and control stands on two aspects (north and south) and two slope position (top and bottom) on each aspect. The litter was analyzed for initial total carbon, lignin and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese) concentrations. The variability in nitrogen and calcium concentrations and ratios of C:N, lignin:N and lignin:Ca was significantly affected by the insect damaged levels. While nitrogen concentrations in needle litter increased with increasing insect damage (and consequently the ratios of C:N and lignin:N decreased), calcium concentrations decreased (and consequently the ratio of lignin:Ca increased). Aspect and slope positions explained most of the variability in carbon, lignin, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese concentrations and lignin:P ratio between all studied stands. Litter decomposition was studied in the field using the litterbag technique. The litter from highly damaged stands showed highest decomposition rates followed by moderately damaged and control stands. The mass loss rates were significantly positively correlated with initial nitrogen concentration and negatively with C:N and lignin:N ratios. The effects of microclimate resulting from canopy damage on litter decomposition was also examined at the same time using standard litter with the same litter quality parameters, but they showed no significant differences among the insect damage levels indicating that alteration of the litter quality parameters produced by I. typographus damage played a more important role than altered microclimate in controlling needle litter decomposition rates. However, changes in microclimate factors due to topography influenced decomposition rates.     

Forest gap size can efficiently promote litter decomposition and nutrient release in south-western China

Forest gaps are important in forest dynamics and management; however, the gap size that is most conducive to the decomposition of litter and promotion of nutrient cycling in forests remains poorly understood. The mass loss and nutrient release from Pinus massoniana and Toona ciliata litter in response to gap size classes were determined in south-western China during a 1.5-year litter decomposition experiment. One site with a closed canopy (CK) and seven sites with forest gaps of 100, 225, 400, 625, 900, 1 225 and 1 600 m² were established in a P. massoniana plantation in the Sichuan Basin of China; the CK site (fully shaded) was treated as the control. After 540 d, the mass and carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents in the litter of the control treatments decreased by 58.23%, 60.81%, 65.62% and 57.82% for P. massoniana litter and by 91.17%, 80.76%, 73.66% and 64.55% for T. ciliata litter, respectively, compared with the initial amounts. Most of the C, N and P were released from both tree species during the first 90 d of decomposition, although the temperature and moisture conditions were very low. The mass loss and C and N release rates for the two tree species and the P release rate from T. ciliata litter were higher in the 400–900 m² gap sites than in the other gap sites and the CK site, whereas the P release rate from P. massoniana litter was greater under large and medium-sized gaps (400–1 600 m²). The mass loss and C, N and P release rates were positively correlated with the soil moisture content in the seven different gap size treatments, with the soil moisture content representing the best predictor of litter decomposition. Therefore, our results indicate that medium-sized gaps (400–900 m²) can promote decomposition by changing the environmental conditions and may accelerate nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.     

The influence of the forest canopy on nutrient cycling

Rates of key soil processes involved in recycling of nutrients in forests are governed by temperature and moisture conditions and by the chemical and physical nature of the litter. The forest canopy influences all of these factors and thus has a large influence on nutrient cycling. The increased availability of nutrients in soil in clearcuts illustrates how the canopy retains nutrients (especially N) on site, both by storing nutrients in foliage and through the steady input of available C in litter. The idea that faster decomposition is responsible for the flush of nitrate in clearcuts has not been supported by experimental evidence. Soil N availability increases in canopy gaps as small as 0.1 ha, so natural disturbances or partial harvesting practices that increase the complexity of the canopy by creating gaps will similarly increase the spatial variability in soil N cycling and availability within the forest. Canopy characteristics affect the amount and composition of leaf litter produced, which largely determines the amount of nutrients to be recycled and the resulting nutrient availability. Although effects of tree species on soil nutrient availability were thought to be brought about largely through differences in the decomposition rate of their foliar litter, recent studies indicate that the effect of tree species can be better predicted from the mass and nutrient content of litter produced, hence total nutrient return, than from litter decay rate. The greater canopy complexity in mixed species forests creates similar heterogeneity in nutritional characteristics of the forest floor. Site differences in slope position, parent material and soil texture lead to variation in species composition and productivity of forests, and thus in the nature and amount of litter produced. Through this positive feedback, the canopy accentuates inherent differences in site fertility.     

Canopy cover effects on mass loss, and nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics from decomposing litter in oak and pine stands in northern Lower Michigan

Patterns of litter decomposition and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) release in relation to various levels of canopy cover were examined using litterbags placed on the forest floor of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) and red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) stands in northern Lower Michigan, USA. A series of experimental plots consisted of four levels of canopy cover treatments, i.e. clearcut, 25% (50% during first sampling year), 75%, and uncut. Mass loss from decomposing leaves was higher for oak leaves in red oak stands (approximately 60% loss of the original mass) than for pine needles in red pine stands (approximately 40% loss of the original mass) during the 2 year study period. Leaf mass loss in the clearcut red oak treatment was significantly higher than in the uncut red oak treatment. In contrast, no canopy cover effects on litter mass loss were found in red pine stands. Nitrogen concentrations in decomposing litter increased during the 2 year period in all canopy cover treatments in both stand types, but they did not differ significantly among canopy cover treatments. These results indicate that various levels of red oak and red pine canopy removal generally have a minor impact on litter decomposition and nutrient (N and P) release during the first 2 years following canopy manipulation, except in red oak clearcuts.     

Temperature dependence of nitrogen mineralization and microbial status in O<Subscript>H</Subscript> horizon of a temperate forest ecosystem

It was hypothesized that increasing air and/or soil temperature would increase rates of microbial processes including litter decomposition and net N mineralization, resulting in greater sequestration of carbon and nitrogen in humus, and consequently development in OH horizon （humus horizon）. To quantify the effect of temperature on biochemical processes controlling the rate of OH layer development three adjacent forest floors under beech, Norway spruce and mixed species stands were investigated at Soiling forest, Germany by an incubation experiment of OH layer for three months. Comparing the fitted curves for temperature sensitivity of OH layers in relation to net N mineralization revealed positive correlation across all sites. For the whole data set of all stands, a Q10 （temperature sensitivity index） value of 2.35-2.44 dependent on the measured units was found to be adequate for describing the temperature dependency of net N mineralization at experimental site. Species-specific differences of substrate quality did not result in changes in biochemical properties of OH horizon of the forest floors. Temperature elevation increased net N mineralization without significant changes in microbial status in the range of I to 15℃. A low Cmic /Corg （microbial carbon/organic carbon） ratio at 20℃ indicated that the resource availability for decomposers has been restricted as reflected in significant decrease of microbial biomass.     

Decomposition of needle/leaf litter from Scots pine, black cherry, common oak and European beech at a conurbation forest site

Litter decomposition was studied for 2 years in a mixed forest serving as a water protection area (Rhine-Neckar conurbation, SW Germany). Two experiments differing in initial dry weight equivalent in litterbags were set up: one to compare decomposition of European beech leaves (Fagus sylvatica) with common oak leaves (Quercus robur), and the other comparing decomposition of Scots pine needles (Pinus sylvestris) with black cherry leaves (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), respectively. Mass losses were greater for oak litter than for beech (75.0 versus 34.6%), and for cherry litter than for pine (94.6 versus 68.3%). In both experiments, a strong initial loss of soluble compounds occurred. The changes in litter N and P concentrations and the decrease in C-to-N ratio coincided with changes in residual mass. However, neither tannin and phenolic concentrations nor NMR could explain the pronounced variation in mass loss after 2 years. Differences in litter palatability and toughness, nutrient contents and other organic compounds may be responsible for the considerable differences in residual mass between litter types. The fast decay of black cherry leaves appears to play a major role in the present humus dynamics at the studied site. Since black cherry has a high N demand, which is mainly met by root uptake from the forest floor, this species is crucial for internal N cycling at this conurbation forest site. These effects together may significantly contribute to prevent nitrate leaching from the forest ecosystem which is subject to a continuous N deposition on an elevated level.     

不同密度华北落叶松叶凋落物年际分解动态研究

不同林分密度下叶凋落物基质物质、养分动态及分解速率研究对人工林密度管理具有重要的实践意义。2009—2011年应用分解网袋法对不同林分密度等级下叶凋落物3年间的分解速率、养分动态及化学成分的变化进行测定分析,结果表明:1)凋落物叶失重率年际变化为倒"V"型变化;高密度林分Ⅰ失重率在第3年与其它林分密度存在极显著差异,说明密度对凋落物分解的影响有时间效应。2)分解速率所体现出的林分密度调控效应与失重率及木质素与氮的比值在试验的3年内均保持负相关的变化规律,故木质素/氮、失重率可作为凋落物分解速率的预测指标;可用灰分含量作为周转时间的指示指标。3)N,K的养分动态为释放—固定循环模式;P为平衡波动—固定模式,Mg为持续固定模式,Ca表现出单一的释放—固定变化模式。     

不同立地条件下华北落叶松叶凋落物的分解特性

采用凋落袋法,研究2种立地条件下不同林分密度华北落叶松人工林叶凋落物基质质量、分解速率的差异。结果表明:海拔与坡度是造成2种立地(地位级Ⅲ,Ⅳ)差异的主要因子,华北落叶松叶凋落物季节失质量率均表现出双峰曲线,且在秋季失质量率最高。2种立地条件下,叶凋落物半衰期分别为2.57,2.67年,完全分解分别需要11.09,11.24年。叶凋落物年平均失质量率、分解速率及初始无机养分含量均表现出立地Ⅲ高于立地Ⅳ。与立地Ⅳ相比,在立地Ⅲ下,C/N均值、木质素含量均值更有利于凋落物分解。经t检验分析,2种立地条件下叶凋落物初始无机养分含量之间并无显著差异性,而有机养分中木质素含量、有机碳含量之间差异显著(P<0.05)。相关分析表明:凋落物分解速率与全碳、C/N、凋落物层厚度呈极显著负相关,相关系数分别为-0.735,-0.569,-0.758。叶凋落物质量指标表明:在立地Ⅲ条件下,林分密度为1675株·hm-2最为有利于凋落物分解;在立地Ⅳ条件下,则以林分密度1300株·hm-2最为有利于叶凋落物分解。     

亚热带不同植被恢复林地凋落物层碳、氮、磷化学计量特征

【目的】探究不同植被恢复阶段林地凋落物层现存量及其碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量的差异,为亚热带地区退化林地的植被恢复和管理提供科学依据。【方法】采用空间代替时间的方法,在位于亚热带丘陵区的湖南省长沙县选取地域相邻、环境条件基本一致的4种处于不同植被恢复阶段林地:檵木-南烛-杜鹃灌草丛(LVR)、檵木-杉木-白栎灌木林(LCQ)、马尾松-柯(又名石栎)-檵木针阔混交林(PLL)、柯-红淡比-青冈常绿阔叶林(LAG)作为一个恢复序列,设置固定样地,按未分解层、半分解层和已分解层采集凋落物层分析样品,测定凋落物层现存量以及不同分解层凋落物C、N、P含量及其化学计量比。【结果】1)凋落物层及其各分解层凋落物的现存量总体上随着植被恢复而增加,同一林地不同分解层表现为:已分解层>半分解层>未分解层,不同分解层之间的差异随着植被恢复而增大。2)凋落物层C含量以PLL最高,LCQ最低,而N、P含量总体上随着植被恢复而增高;C、N、P含量随着凋落物的分解而下降。3)无论是整个凋落物层C储量还是各分解层凋落物C储量,均以PLL最高,其次是LAG,LVR最低,而N、P储量随着植被恢复而增高。4)整个凋落物层以及各分解层凋落物的C/N比值均表现为:PLL>LVR>LCQ>LAG,而C/P、N/P比值总体上随着植被恢复呈下降趋势;C/N、C/P、N/P比值基本上随着凋落物的分解而下降。【结论】随着植被恢复,凋落物层现存量及其N、P含量增加,C/N、C/P、N/P比值下降,体现了生态系统物质循环随着植被恢复逐渐优化。     

橡胶人工林生态系统氮素循环模型

根据海南儋州地区不同树龄PR107无性系橡胶人工林生态系统养分循环规律,应用系统动力学原理,构建了土壤、胶树和凋落物层3个分室之间的养分循环分室模型及其微分方程组,并测定了各分室中氮素(N)现存量、流通量和流通率。结果表明:1)土壤、胶树、凋落物层中氮素现存量的平均值分别为3069.61kg/(hm2.a),580.22 kg/(hm2.a),62.94 kg/(hm2.a),随着树龄的增加(4~24a),土壤中氮素现存量变化为先减少后增加,胶树、凋落物中氮素贮存量则呈逐年增加的趋势;2)土壤、胶树、凋落物分室之间氮素流通量变化规律为吸收量、归还量、分解量都随树龄增加而逐渐增大,而胶乳中氮素流失量在24a有所下降;3)氮素在土壤、胶树与凋落物层各分室之间的流通率大小各不相同,4~24a胶树的吸收系数为0.0640~0.1588,并随树龄增加呈指数递增的趋势,归还系数、分解系数、流失系数的平均值分别为0.1335,0.6621,0.0279。此外,本文所建分室模型可以实现对橡胶林生态系统养分动态的精确模拟和预测,并可望用于指导人工施肥。     

Litter production and decomposition dynamics in moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats in Peninsular India

A field study was conducted in the moist deciduous forests of the Western Ghats (India) to test the following three hypotheses: (1) Litter production in tropical forests is a function of the floristic composition, density, basal area and disturbance intensity; (2) Decay rate constants of tropical species is an inverse function of the initial lignin/nitrogen ratio; (3) Decomposition rates in tropical forests are faster than temperate forests.

Litter fall was estimated by installing 63 litter traps in the moist deciduous forests of Thrissur Forest Division in the Western Ghats at three sites. Litter fall followed a monomodal distribution pattern with a distinct peak during the dry period from November–December to March–April.Dillenia pentagyna, Grewia tiliaefolia, Macrosolen spp.,Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia spp.,Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Cleistanthus collinus, Bridelia retusa, andHelicteres isora were the principal litter producing species at these sites. The annual litter fall ranged from 12.18 to 14.43 t ha⁻¹. Structural attributes of vegetation such as floristic composition, basal area, density and disturbance intensity did not directly influence litter fall rates.

Leaf litter decay rates for six dominant tree species were assessed following the standard litter bag technique. One hundred and eight litter bags per species containing 20 g samples were installed in the forest floor litter layer at the same three sites selected for the litter fall quantification exercise. The residual litter mass decreased linearly with time for all species. In general, less disturbed sites and species adapted to higher nitrogen availabilities exhibited relatively higher decay rate coefficients (k). The rapid organic matter turnover observed in comparison with published temperate forest litter decay rates confirms that tropical moist deciduous forest species are characterised by faster decomposition rates.

Mean concentrations of N, P and K in the litter were profoundly variable amongst the dominant species. Initial nitrogen content of the leaf litter varied from 0.65 to 1.6%, phosphorus from 0.034 to 0.077% and potassium from 0.25 to 0.62%.C. collinus, an understorey shrub consistently recorded the lowest litter concentrations for all nutrients. The overriding pattern is one of higher nutrient levels in the overstorey leaf litter and lower concentrations in the understorey litter. Furthermore, as decomposition proceeded, the nitrogen concentration of the residual biomass increased.