Dynamics of the production and decomposition of litterfall in a brazilian northeastern tropical forest (Serra de Itabaiana National Park, Sergipe State)

Benjamin Leonardo Alves White,Adauto De Souza Ribeiro,Daniela Lima Do Nascimento,Túlio Vinicius Paes Dantas

doi:10.4025/actascibiolsci.v35i2.11920

Benjamin Leonardo Alves White, Adauto De Souza Ribeiro + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v35i2.11920

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Abstract

This study was carried out in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park from October, 2006, to October, 2007. The main objective was to quantify litterfall production and analyze decomposition rates in a tropical seasonal semideciduous forest. Forty 0.25 m² collectors were used to quantify the litterfall and 36 litterbags to record the rate of decomposition of the foliar biomass. The total litterfall production was 8.6 ton ha -1 in 11 months, of which 54.6% of leaves. The constant of leaf decomposition (K) was 0.52, and the half-life of the leaf biomass was estimated to be 495 days. A significant correlation was observed between leaf fall and monthly precipitation, but no relationship was found between decomposition rates and rainfall.

Highlights

The litterfall of a forest is formed by the organic debris deposited from the standing vegetation, and is composed mainly of leaves, branches and plant reproductive structures
During the 11 months of the study, the total litterfall production in the Serra de Itabaiana National Park (SINP) was estimated as 8.6 ton ha-1, considerable differences in productivity were observed between months (Figure 1)
This work is in accordance with most of the studies done in Brazil, that indicate the driest months as being the ones with the biggest litterfall production (MENEZES et al, 2010; BARBOSA; FARIA, 2006)

Summary

Introduction

The litterfall of a forest is formed by the organic debris deposited from the standing vegetation, and is composed mainly of leaves, branches and plant reproductive structures. The decomposition of this material and its subsequent incorporation into the soil, represents one of the most important processes in the nutrient cycling of tropical forests (VASCONCELOS et al, 2008). As the rate and pattern of nutrient recycling in a natural forest are closely associated with climatic and phenological conditions, good knowledge of local geographic and climatic variables are an important first step in the study of nutrient cycling of any system (PRESCOTT, 2005). Litterfall production may vary locally, as a result of habitat disturbance, which tends to favor fast-growing pioneer species, which are relatively productive, and produce relatively larger amounts of debris in comparison with primary habitat, which is generally less productive (MORAES; PRADO, 1998)

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