A. Martin et al., ABOVEGROUND LITTER PRODUCTION AND BIOELEMENT POTENTIAL RETURN IN AN EVERGREEN OAK (QUERCUS-ROTUNDIFOLIA) WOODLAND NEAR SALAMANCA (SPAIN), Annales des Sciences Forestieres, 53(4), 1996, pp. 811-818
Total aboveground production of trees has been determined in a Quercus
rotundifolia evergreen oak woodland developed over a chromic Luvisol.
The woodland is located close to the city of Salamanca (central-weste
rn Spain). Litter fall occurs throughout the year, with a maximum from
April to June owing to leaf fall. Mean litter production is 1.9 Mg ha
(-1) year(-1), although variations from year to year are observed, mos
tly due to water stress in summer. The mean area of influence of litte
r fall of each tree is about 4 m outside the crown shadow and the leaf
percentage (55%) over the total aboveground litter production shows t
hat the system is mature. Tree inflorescences are found to have the hi
ghest concentration in bioelements, although the latter are mostly ret
urned through the leaves (with the exception of K).