Ecological studies on three contrasting Scottish oakwoods I. Site descriptions and small litterfall

Abstract

Summary Three contrasting ancient Scottish oakwoods and their physical environment are described: Ross Point Wood (on podzolic soils) and North Gartfairn Wood (on gleys) on Loch Lomondside; and the Old Wood of Methven (on brown earths) near Perth. Small litterfall was measured for one year at each site. The production of total small litterfall was (t ha-1 yr-1): Ross, 3.61; Gartfairn, 4.48; and Methven, 5.37. Most small litterfall fractions followed the same rank order. Ross had the least litterfall input for all analysed nutrients (N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg) and Methven the highest, except for Na and Mg which were highest at Gartfairn. The differences between the woods are as likely to involve past management practices as those involving their soils. However, there is some evidence that nutrients may be limiting production since the concentrations of litterfall nitrogen and phosphorus are least in the least productive site.