Litter production in an Atlantic beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) time sequence

Litterfall is the first phase of the biogeochemical cycle and returns nutri ents to the soil. This paper demonstrates the quantitative distribution of the different components throughout the year in four stands of a beech time sequence. Litterfall increases as the forest evolves and as basal area inc reases: from 2.1 t/ha/an in the thicket to 4.7 t/ha/an in the mature high f orest. Leaves represent 90% of the total litterfall in the young stand and 70% in the oldest stand. The proportion of leaves decreases during forest r otation. Most of the categories are related to the age and basal area, beca use of the architecture and maturity of the trees. Other factors could expl ain litterfall dynamics, e.g. human management or animals. Climate is a pre ponderant factor for the litterfall production and plays a role in the spec ies phenology. The litterfall dynamics during the time sequence, and the ob served shifts in phenology give rise to different pedogenetic processes.