Abstract
Litterfall is the largest natural inflow of organic material and nutrients to the forest floor and in most European forests is dominated by that from the trees. The chemical composition of this material and the temperature and moisture content of the upper soil layers are considered to be the main factors controlling the turnover rates of the shed litter and the release of nutrients. Thus they also determine the quantity of nutrients released and the accumulation of humus and nutrients. Few larger studies have been made on litterfall on a European basis. For needles of Norway spruce and different pine species, Berg and Meentemeyer (2001) made a study covering the main part of western Europe, whereas for European beech, for example, few values have been published.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Alewell C, Manderscheid B, Gerstberger P, Matzner E (2000) Effects of reduced atmospheric deposition on soil solution chemistry and elemental contents of spruce needles in NE Bavaria, Germany. J Plant Nutr Soil Sci 163:509–516
Berg B, Meentemeyer V (2001) Litterfall in some European coniferous forests as dependent on climate — a synthesis. Can J For Res 31:292–301
Berg B, McClaugherty C (2003) Plant litter. Decomposition. Humus formation. Carbon sequestration. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York
Berg B, Tamm CO (1991) Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of litter in long-term optimum nutrition experiments. I. Organic matter decomposition in Norway spruce (Picea abies) needle litter. Scand J For Res 6:305–321
Berg B, Berg M, Bottner P, Box E, Breymeyer A, Calvo de Anta R, Couteaux M, Gallardo A, Escudero A, Kratz W, Madeira M, Meentemeyer V, Muñoz F, Piussi P, Remacle J, Virzo De Santo A (1993) Litter mass loss in pine forests versus actual evapotranspiration on a European scale. In: Breymeyer A (ed) Conference papers 18. Proceedings from Scope Seminar, Geography of Carbon Budget Processes in Terrestrial Ecosystems, Szymbark, 17–23 Aug 1991, pp 81–109. Institute of Geography an Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
Berg B, Johansson M, Tjarve I, Gaitnieks T, Rokjanis B, Beier C, Rothe A, Bolger T, Göttlein A, Gerstberger P (1999) Needle litterfall in a north European spruce forest transect. Departments of Forest Ecology and Forest Soils, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Rep 80,54 pp
Berg B, Johansson M-B, Meentemeyer V (2000) Litter decomposition in a transect of Norway spruce forests: substrate quality and climate control. Can J For Res 30:1136–1147
Ellenberg H, Mayer R, Schauermann J (1986) Ökosystemforschung: Ergebnisse des Sollingprojekts 1966–1986. Ulmer, Stuttgart
Flower-Ellis J (1985) Litterfall in an age series of Scots pine stands: summary of resultsfor the period 1973–1983. Department of Ecology and Environmental Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Rep 19, pp 75–94
Mälkönen E (1974) Annual primary production and nutrient cycle in some Scots pine stands. Commun Inst Forest Fenn 84:5
Matzner E (1988) Der Stoffumsatz zweier Waldökosysteme im Soiling. Ber Forschungs- zentr Waldökosyst/Waldsterben, Reihe A:40:l-217
Matzner E, Khanna PK, Meiwes KJ, Lindheim J, Prenzel J, Ulrich B. (1982) Elementflüsse in Waldökosystemen im Soiling — Datendokumentation. Göttinger Bodenkundl Ber 71:1–267
Nilsson LO, Östergren M, Wiklund K (2001) Hur paverkades träden ovan mark? In: Persson T, Nilsson LO (eds) Skogabyförsöket — effekter av langvarig kväve- och svavel- tillförsel till ett skogsekosystem.
Nilsson LO, Östergren M, Wiklund K (2001) Hur paverkades träden ovan mark? Naturvardsverket 5173:51–67
Staaf H (1982) Plant nutrient changes in beech leaves during senescence as influenced by site characteristics. Acta Oecol/Oecol Plant 3:161–170
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Berg, B., Gerstberger, P. (2004). Element Fluxes with Litterfall in Mature Stands of Norway Spruce and European Beech in Bavaria, South Germany. In: Matzner, E. (eds) Biogeochemistry of Forested Catchments in a Changing Environment. Ecological Studies, vol 172. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06073-5_16
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-06073-5_16
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-05900-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-06073-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive