Decomposition and litter production in a northern bald cypress swamp

Abstract

. Primary production as measured by annual mean litter fall in the Lower Cache near Perks, Illinois, was the lowest recorded for cypress swamps (2345.5 kg/ha/yr). This swamp is continuously flooded with a low input of phosphorus (< 0.24 mg 1). Rates of leaf litter decomposition were higher in the Lower Cache for Taxodium distichum than in swamps to the south of the region. The winter rates of leaf litter decomposition in the Lower Cache were slower than summer rates for Cephalanthus occidentalis, Echinochloa muricata, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Jussisaea repens, Taxodium distichum, and Eleocharis obtusa, but not for Typha latifolia. Because the 99% turnover rates for these species (0.69–5.10 years) often exceeds one year, undecomposed litter can be expected to accumulate or be exported from the system. Most leaves are shed in the autumn (October through December; 83.6%).