Deposition of litter and nutrients in leaves and twigs in different plant communities of northeastern Mexico

Studies on litterfall and decomposition provide estimations of decomposition rates of different ecosystems. This is key information to understanding ecosystem dynamics and changes in a scenario of global warming. The objective of this research was to assess litterfall production, the potential depos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forestry research 2018-09, Vol.29 (5), p.1307-1314
Main Authors: González-Rodríguez, Humberto, Ramírez-Lozano, Roque Gonzalo, Cantú-Silva, Israel, Gómez-Meza, Marco Vinicio, Estrada-Castillón, Eduardo, Arévalo, José Ramón
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altitude
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Climate change
Coniferous forests
Copper
Decomposition
Deposition
Ecosystem dynamics
Ecosystems
Forest ecosystems
Forestry
Forests
Global warming
Leaf litter
Leaves
Life Sciences
Manganese
Micronutrients
Midaltitude
Nutrients
Original Paper
Plant communities
Species composition
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Summary:Studies on litterfall and decomposition provide estimations of decomposition rates of different ecosystems. This is key information to understanding ecosystem dynamics and changes in a scenario of global warming. The objective of this research was to assess litterfall production, the potential deposition of macro and micronutrients through leaf and twig fall as well as macronutrient—use efficiency in three forest ecosystems at different altitudes: a pine forest mixed with deciduous species (S1); a Quercus spp. forest (S2); and, a Tamaulipan thornscrub forest (S3). Total annual litterfall deposition was 594,742 and 533 g m −2 for S1, S2 and S3. Leaf litter was higher (68%) than twigs (18%), reproductive structures (8%) or miscellaneous material (6%). Micronutrient leaf deposition was higher for Fe followed by Mn, Zn and Cu. Macronutrient leaf deposition was higher for Ca followed by K, Mg and P. Even though P deposition in leaves and twigs was lower than other macronutrients, its nutrient use efficiency was higher than Ca, Mg or K. Altitude and species composition determine litter and nutrient deposition, with higher values at mid-altitudes (550 m). Altitude is an important factor to consider when analyzing litter production as well as nutrient deposition as shown in this study. Litter production and nutrient deposition are expected to change in a scenario of global warming.
ISSN:1007-662X
1993-0607
DOI:10.1007/s11676-017-0553-x