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Litter production in Holm oak trees subjected to different pruning intensities in Mediterranean dehesas

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Abstract

Litterfall is a key process in forests which is sensitive to climatic conditions like precipitation and temperature, and management practices. Therefore, knowledge about litterfall patterns and its associated variables is important for the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems under conditions of climate change. We aimed to quantify the temporal pattern of litterfall and to investigate the influence of abiotic variables and pruning on litter production. Litterfall was collected at monthly intervals for 2 years in trees subjected to different pruning intensities in two locations. The effect of pruning, abiotic variables and tree size on litter production was analyzed using a mathematical model. Leaf fall was strongly seasonal with a peak occurring in the wettest month of the year in this area. The variability in leaf fall was mainly related to rainfall and soil water in 2 years and locations. Pruning reduced the amount of litter production during the first year following this practice, and might have negative effect on soil fertility and crop productivity in dehesas ecosystems.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Department of Innovation, Science and Business of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Spain) and the European Union (FEDER funds; ref: C03-192), and by the Ministry of Science and Innovation of Spain and the National Agriculture Research Institute (INIA; ref: SUM2006-00026-00-00). Currently E. Andivia is beneficiating of a postdoctoral grant supported by OP Education for Competitiveness (European Social Fund and the Czech Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport; ref: CZ.1.07/2.3.00/30.0017).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ciencias Agroforestales, Universidad de Huelva, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Campus Universitario de La Rábida, Palos de la Frontera, 21819, Huelva, Spain

    Enrique Andivia, Javier Vázquez-Piqué, Manuel Fernández & Reyes Alejano

  2. Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Enrique Andivia

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  1. Enrique Andivia
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  2. Javier Vázquez-Piqué
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  3. Manuel Fernández
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  4. Reyes Alejano
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Correspondence to Enrique Andivia.

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Andivia, E., Vázquez-Piqué, J., Fernández, M. et al. Litter production in Holm oak trees subjected to different pruning intensities in Mediterranean dehesas. Agroforest Syst 87, 657–666 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9586-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9586-5

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