Release and dynamics of calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium from leaflitter decomposition in a subtropical Argentine forest

The objectives of this work were: to determine the amounts of Ca, K, Mg and Na produced by the litter decomposition of four species in a subtropical f orest of Argentina; to study their dynamics of decomposition and release an d, to find a model that describes the nutrient release for each leaf litter type by comparing four mathematical models. Ca release followed similar dy namics to that of litter decomposition. On the contrary, the retention - re lease for Mg, It and Na depend on the specie and the bioelement. Difference s in the best fit model reflected the complexity of the litter decompositio n processes, because leaf litter decomposition was regulated not only by th e nature of the species, but was also affected by environmental conditions and stage of the decomposition.