Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Litter Production and Driving Factors in the Fangcheng Seasonal Rainforest, Guangxi

doi:10.17520/biods.2025326

Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Litter Production and Driving Factors in the Fangcheng Seasonal Rainforest, Guangxi

Ya Gao^1,2,3, Qi Liu³, Minfeng Liu⁴, Ruixia Ma³, Fuzhao Huang³, Dongxing Li³, Wusheng Xiang³, Tao Ding³, Bin Wang³, Xiankun Li³, Yili Guo^2,3*

1 Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Ministry of Education), Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541006, China

2 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Remediation in Ecologically Fragile Regions, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, Guangxi 541006, China

3 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Conservation and Restoration Ecology in Karst Terrain, Guangxi Institute of Botany, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guilin, Guangxi 541006, China

4 Shandong Geological Survey Institute, Jinan 250003, China

Received:2025-08-17 Revised:2025-11-28 Accepted:2025-12-27
Contact: Yili Guo

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: Forest litterfall, serving as a vector for material cycling, energy flow, and nutrient balance within forest ecosystems, is a vital component of these systems. This study aims to investigate the seasonal dynamics of litterfall production and the drivers of its spatial distribution in the seasonal rainforest of Fangcheng, Guangxi.

Methods: Utilizing a 1-ha forest dynamics plot in Guangxi Fangchenggang Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve, as the study site, 40 litterfall collectors were deployed. Through 6 years of monitoring forest litterfall data, we analyzed the region’s litterfall composition, spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, and influencing factors.

Results: The results indicate that the average annual forest litterfall production in Guangxi Fangchenggang Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve, was 7,506.38 ± 766.94 kg/ha, exhibiting significant interannual fluctuations. The proportion of each component was as follows: leaves (60.24%) > branches (19.34%) > miscellaneous debris (17.70%) > reproductive structures (2.72%). The monthly dynamics of total litterfall and each component showed similar patterns, all exhibiting a tri-modal distribution with peaks observed in April, August, and October. Within a 5 m neighborhood of the litterfall collectors, aspect, soil temperature, soil nutrients, species richness, and sum of basal area at breast height (IBA) were identified as the primary drivers of forest litterfall production in this region. These factors exert a direct positive influence on the total litterfall biomass. In contrast, soil nutrients indirectly impact total litterfall biomass through their relationship with the sum of basal area.

Conclusion: Continuous 6-year monitoring results reveal that forest litterfall quantity in Guangxi Fangchenggang Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve, undergoes pronounced seasonal variation, and that biotic factors, abiotic factors and soil factors collectively influence the spatial distribution of litterfall.

Key words: seasonal rainforest, litterfall production, litterfall dynamics, climatic factors, driving factors

Ya Gao, Qi Liu, Minfeng Liu, Ruixia Ma, Fuzhao Huang, Dongxing Li, Wusheng Xiang, Tao Ding, Bin Wang, Xiankun Li, Yili Guo. Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Litter Production and Driving Factors in the Fangcheng Seasonal Rainforest, Guangxi[J]. Biodiv Sci, DOI: 10.17520/biods.2025326.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2025326

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Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Litter Production and Driving Factors in the Fangcheng Seasonal Rainforest, Guangxi

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