Dry matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus content of litterfall and branchfall in Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus forests.

Abstract

Litterfall in pines ranged from 258-386 g/m2/yr, and in eucalypts 388-686 g/m2/yr. Dead foliage was the major component of litterfall in both forest types. Litterfall in eucalypts peaked in summer; in pines it peaked both in spring and in late summer to early autumn. Concentrations of N and P in dead foliage varied markedly between seasons but were consistently lowest at times of peak fall of dead foliage. The nutrient content of litterfall in pines ranged from 1400-2400 mg N/m2/yr, and 97-230 mg P/m2/yr. In eucalypts, the corresponding ranges were 2100-4600 mg N/m2/yr and 94-200 mg P/m2/yr. In comparison with litterfall, branchfall returned only small amounts of N and P to the forest floor...