Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of Schima superba leaf litter

Key words: 
• forest ecology /
• Schima superba /
• tree leaves /
• fall /
• decomposition /
• nutrient dynamics

Abstract: Schima superba are cultivated widely in southern China. In order to know its material cycling in the plantation for better sustainable management，we studied the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of its leaf litter by the nylon bag method. The new leaf fall were collected in the 25-year-old plantation of Nanping City，in 1st of November of 2006，drying at 65 ℃ to constant weight，packed with 36 nylon bags，then replaced to the plantation’s ground surface. Three bags were withdrawn once a month. Then determine weight loss rate，and N，P，K and C contents variation. Results showed that for leaf litter decomposition，the weight loss rate over one year was 41.5% with a decomposition coefficient of 0.001 6 d-1. Also，50% decomposition was estimated at 1.36 years while 95% was 5.47 years. During decomposition，N increased；P fluctuated but increased slowly；K steadily decreased；and C and carbon-nitrogen ratio increased slightly in the early stages，but decreased in later stages. Nutrient release was in the order：K（81.3%） ＞ C（54.8%） ＞ N（35.7%） ＞ P（28.6%）. ［Ch，1 fig. 2 tab. 10 ref.］