Nutrients return from leaves and litterfall in a mediterranean cork oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus suber</Emphasis> L.) forest in southwestern Spain |
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Authors: | Enrique Andivia Manuel Fernández Javier Vázquez-Piqué Aranzazu González-Pérez Raúl Tapias |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Forest Sciences,University of Huelva,Huelva,Spain |
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Abstract: | The knowledge of the cycle of nutrients is fundamental for the correct comprehension of the tree–soil relationship and for
an adequate forest management. In order to analyse the nutrients return from leaves and litterfall in a Mediterranean cork
oak forest in southwestern Spain, 12 trees were randomly selected and litterfall collected for 2 years. Samples were taken
monthly and separated in different fractions (leaves, twigs, catkins, acorns and miscellaneous), then leaves nutrients were
analyzed. Simultaneously, we analyzed the nutrient content of living leaves from the same trees in each season during 1 year.
The analyzed nutrients were C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, S, Cu, Zn and Mo. Annual patterns of each nutrient in fallen leaves
were characterized and compared with seasonal values of these nutrients in living leaves. Leaves fall has two annual maximum,
first and most important in spring around April coinciding with renewal of foliar cover and second around October. Main concentration
patterns of N, P and K are related with phenological patterns, in consequence minimum concentration in leaves fall were obtained
in periods of growing and maximum litterfall. Concentrations of Ca, Fe and Mn increase with the age of the leaves and maximum
concentrations were obtained before periods of maximum litterfall while concentrations of Cu, Mo and Mg stay stable. Seasonal
analysis of nutrients in living leaves collected from the same trees in four different periods of the year allowed to corroborate
the patterns of leaves fall and the probable osmotic function of K. |
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