Litterfall production and nutrient return in different-aged Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantations in South China

Abstract

The amounts of litter produced and nutrients returned play a fundamental role in the productivity and biogeochemical and nutrient cycling of forest ecosystems. We monitored annual litterfall production, nutrient return, and monthly dynamics over a one-year period in Chinese fir plantations aged 10, 22, and 34 years. Our objective was to quantify litterfall and nutrient return over a complete harvest rotation of Chinese fir. Annual litterfall production increased with stand age and was recorded as (3,294.6 ± 360.4), (3,733.9 ± 211.2), and (4,876.1 ± 212.8) kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ in stands aged 10, 22 and 34 years, respectively. Total litter production was significantly greater in the stand aged 34 years than in the stand aged 10 years (p < 0.05). With the exception of miscellaneous components, needle litterfall constituted the highest proportion (27.5–43.6 %), followed by branches/twigs (9.5–16.6 %). In all three plantations, annual total nutrient return to soil was in the order of C (1,119.95–2,709.05 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) > N (39.32–62.04 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) > K (15.95–22.44 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹) > P (1.30–1.63 kg ha⁻¹ a⁻¹). C, N, K and P input to soil was significantly lower in the 10-year-old stand in comparison to the 22- and 34-year-old stands (p < 0.05). Litterfall production and nutrient return (C, N and K) followed similar patterns, and C and N input to soil was significantly related to litterfall production (needle, branch and total litterfall). C, N, P and K input to soil and total litterfall production were mainly driven by needle litterfall.

Keywords

Cunninghamia lanceolata / Litterfall production / Nutrient return

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