Chin J Plan Ecolo ›› 1999, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (3): 250-255.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Dynamics of Litter Amount and It’s Decomposition in Different Successional Stages of Evergreen Broad-leaved Forest in Tiantong, Zhejiang Province

Zhang Qingfei, Song Yongchang, Wu Huaqian and You Wenhui   

  • Published:1999-03-10
  • Contact: Zhang Jiacheng

Abstract: The annual amount of litteffall of the succession stages of subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest in Tiantong, Zhejiang province increased as succession proceeded. Leaffall accounted the highest proportion of organic composition of the litterfall throughout the succession, and the proportions of other components varied among different stages. As succession proceeded, the proportions of shrub leaf and herb litter and barks decreased, while those of twigs and branches, flowers, and fruit increased. The decomposition order of litterfall by litterbag method and the decomposition coefficients from exponential decay model tended to increase in the course of succession, in which appeared the similar variation trend with annual litterfall amount. The results suggested that progressive succession can accelerate biological cycling ,and promote the improvement of soil fertility.