Temporal and spatial variation of litter production in Sonoran Desert communities

The seasonal pattern of litter production was analyzed in three contiguous desert communities near the southern boundaries of the Sonoran Desert. Ther e was a large spatial variation in annual litter production mainly caused b y differences in the composition and structure of vegetation. In the most p roductive site (Arroyos) annual litterfall was 357 g m(-2) yr(-1), a figure higher than some tropical deciduous forests. Litter production was only 60 g m(-2) yr(-1) in the open desert in the plains (Plains) and 157 g m(-2) y r(-1) in the thornscrub on the slopes (Hillsides). Topographic and hydrolog ic features influence the composition, structure and function of the vegeta tion, modifying the general relationship between rainfall and productivity described for desert ecosystems. The temporal pattern of litter production showed marked seasonality with two main periods of heavy litterfall: one af ter the summer rains from September to November (autumn litter production) and another after the winter rains from March to May (spring litter product ion). In the open desert areas, spring litter production was significantly higher than the autumn pulse, while in the slopes, the autumn production wa s the most important. The Arroyos site produced similar litterfall amounts during the two dry seasons. The species composition defined the season of m aximum leaf-fall. In the Plains, the vigorous winter growth of ephemeral an d perennial plants made up most of the litter production, while in the Hill sides, most perennials remained dormant throughout the winter-spring period and a significant peak of litterfall occurred only after the summer growth . This difference in growth between seasons was less pronounced in the Arro yos. The timing of maximum production of reproductive and woody litter also differed from site to site.