Seasonal Calorific Values from a Deciduous Woodland in England

Abstract

In a deciduous woodland in England ground—vegetation calorific values (4.158—4.517 Kcal/g ash—free weight) were lower than those for the tree wood (4.565—5.211 Kcal/g ash—free weight) and canopy leaves (4.632—5.635 Kcal/g ash—free weight). Ground—vegetation litter had lower calorific values (4.387—4.772 Kcal/g ash—free dry weight) than canopy litter on the forest floor (4.814—5.229 Kcal/g ash—free weight) and falling canopy litter (5.088—5.389 Kcal/g ash—free weight). Canopy leaf calorific values fell by all up to 11.5% during the summer, and other components showed seasonal changes relevant to consumer studies. Falling leaves had higher calorific content than autumn canopy leaves. Thus leaf production should be measured as litter fall, not standing crop.