NUTRIENT CYCLING IN BAMBOO STANDS Ⅰ. LEAF LITTER AND ITS DECOMPOSITION IN PURE PHYLLOSTACHYS PUBESCENS STANDS
- Received Date: 1988-10-28
- Available Online: 2012-12-04
Abstract: The dynamics of leaf litter in timber stands of Phyllostachys pubescens was studied in four locations in southern China. Ninety litter traps in twenty one blocks and four hundred litter decomposition bags in another twenty blocks were set up and continuously monitored over three years. Loss of weight as well as leaching of N, P, K, Ca, Mg from the litter was recorded by periodic field collections and laboratory analysis.Results indicate that there are two peaks though the dates for these varied with the geographic locations of the stands. Litter fall during the first peak was about 80% of the annual fall. Weight loss of litter was rapid initially, stablising after twenty weeks. Nutrient release differed from element to element and seemed to be released into the soil after an initial accumulation stage.