Litter production in an Atlantic beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) time sequence

Overview & Synopsis

Litterfall is the first phase of the biogeochemical cycle and returns nutrients to the soil. This paper demonstrates the quantitative distribution of the different components throughout the year in four stands of a beech time sequence. Litterfall increases as the forest evolves and as basal area increases: from 2.1 t/ha/an in the thicket to 4.7 t/ha/an in the mature high forest. Leaves represent 90% of the total litterfall in the young stand and 70% in the oldest stand. The proportion of leaves decreases during forest rotation. Most of the categories are related to the age and basal area, because of the architecture and maturity of the trees. Other factors could explain litterfall dynamics, e.g. human management or animals. Climate is a preponderant factor for the litterfall production and plays a role in the species phenology. The litterfall dynamics during the time sequence, and the observed shifts in phenology give rise to different pedogenetic processes.