| Abstract: | The leaves and leaf litter of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don was collected from April 1994 to March 1995 to describe the seasonal changes in nutrient concentrations in leaves and leaf litter. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentrations were in the order new leaves > old leaves > leaf litter, whereas calcium (Ca) concentration was in the order leaf litter > old leaves > new leaves during the whole year. N, P and K concentrations were at their highest during the new leaf growth phase, and then decreased as a result of the diluting effect and translocation, whereas Ca increased with time. Magnesium did not show any clear seasonal trend compared with other nutrients. N resorption efficiency was lower than P resorption efficiency. There were two nutrient resorption peaks, which could be attributed to high nutrient translocation to new leaves in the spring and to translocation from old leaves before senescence in the autumn. A significant correlation between N and P resorption was observed. |
