Leaf Decomposition and nutrient release in montane forest of Northwestern Argentina

ACEÑOLAZA, P.G. Y J.F. GALLARDO LANCHO

JOURNAL OF TROPICAL FOREST SCIENCE

FOREST RESEARCH INST MALAYSIA

Año: 1999 vol. 11 p. 619 - 630

0128-1283

This study Ahmed to gain further insight into the leaf decomposition dynamics in Alnus acuminata forests through their nutrient release patterns. Three forests of different ages in San Javier mountains (Tucuman, NW Argentine) were selected in order to know the evolution of the nutrient release process using the litterbag method in a forest chronosequence. Decomposing leaf P and K contents decreased rapidly, whereas Cu, Fe and Zn tended to increase over time. The sequence of element loss during decomposition was in the following order: K > P > Na > N > Ca > Mg. Only Ca, Cu, Fe and Mn showed statistical differences according to stand ages.