Abstract:

To study litter production, composition, temporal dynamics, and the effects of an ice storm on litter production in a 24-ha evergreen broad-leaved forest dynamic plot in Gutianshan National Nature Reserve, Zhejiang, we set up 169 seed traps, and collected litterfall weekly from October 2006 to December 2009. Total annual litter production in 2007 and 2009 was 532.05 g/m² and 375.17 g/m², respectively. We attribute the remarkable drop in production due to an ice storm in February 2008. Leaves, twigs, bark and miscellaneous materials accounted for 79.0%, 14.7%, 3.3% and 3.0% of mass, respectively. The annual leaf litter production of four dominant tree species (Castanopsis eyrei, Schima superba, Pinus massoniana and Quercus serrata var. brevipetiolata) contributed about 71.36% of the total leaf litter production in 2007. There were two litter fall peaks each year, one in spring (April) and the other in autumn to early winter (between late October and early December). Total litter production, leaf production and twig production decreased significantly after the ice storm (P<0.05), as did the annual leaf production of C. eyrei and Distylium myricoides (P<0.05) and S. superba (P<0.1). The production of miscellaneous materials mainly composed of insect dung increased (P<0.01) in April immediately following the ice storm, indicating that a compensating growth of branches and leaves was occurring in the damaged community.