Litter Dynamics of Three Subalpine Forests in Western SichuanEnglish Full Text

YANG Wan-Qin1,2, WANG Kai-Yun2,3, S. KELLOMAKI3 and GONG He-De2 1 Faculty of Forestry, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an 625014 (China). 2 Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041 (China)3 Faculty of Forestry, University of Joensuu, P. O. Box 111, FIN-80101 (Finland)

Abstract: Litter production, components and dynamics were investigated and forest floor litter was quantified throughout awhole year in three subalpine forests, dominated by tree species of spruce （SF）, fir （FF） and birch （BF）, in WesternSichuan, China, in order to understand the key factors that influenced litter production and dynamics. Litterfall in thethree forests consisted mainly of leaves, woody litter, reproductive organs and moss. Contribution of leaf litter to thetotal litterfall was significantly （P ＜ 0.05） greater than that of woody litter, reproductive organs or moss. Regardlessof the stands, litterfall exhibited a marked monthly variation with the maximum litterfall peaks occurring in October,with smaller peaks occurring in February for SF and FF, and May for BF. The analysis indicated that tree species,stand density, leaf area index （LAI）, stand basal area and stand age were the key factors determining litter production.Meanwhile tree species and phenology controlled the litter dynamics, with wind and snow modifying the litter componentsand dynamics.

Keywords：

litter dynamics; litter stock; litter production; subalpine forests;

Series：
(D) Agriculture
Subject：
Forestry
Classification Code：
S718.5

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