Ji. Muoghalu et al., LITTER DECOMPOSITION AND INORGANIC ELEMENT DYNAMICS IN A SECONDARY RAIN-FOREST AT ILE-IFE, NIGERIA, African journal of ecology, 32(3), 1994, pp. 208-221
Leaf litter decomposition rates and variations in mineral elements con
tent of decomposing litter of four tree species (Alstonia boonei, Funt
umia elastica, Manihot glaziovii, Pycnanthus angolensis) were studied
in a regrowth rainforest at Ile-Ife, Nigeria using the litter bag meth
od. Decomposition rates of the species varied: M. glaziovii> A. boonei
>F. elastica>P. angolensis. The loss in original weight of decomposing
litter was linear in the early stages of decomposition but declined g
radually at the later stages. No significant correlation was found bet
ween decomposition constants and initial chemical constituents of leaf
litter of these species. Monthly maximum and minimum temperatures and
evaporation were significantly negatively correlated with monthly wei
ght loss. The relationship between monthly rainfall and the rainfall:e
vaporation ratio with monthly weight loss though positive, was not sig
nificant. It took a minimum of six months for the litter to completely
decompose. Copper, iron, manganese and zinc increased in concentratio
n with decomposition. The concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassi
um and sodium increased at the early stages of decomposition and subse
quently decreased with decomposition. Nitrogen and phosphorus first de
creased before increasing in concentration with decomposition. The ele
ments showed different trends in their original mass remaining with de
composition and in some cases elements exhibited different trends in d
ifferent species.