Aspen Bibliography

Quantity, decomposition, and nutrient dynamics of aspen litterfall in Utah

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Forest Science

Volume

27

Issue

2

First Page

381

Last Page

390

Publication Date

1981

Abstract

The quantity and nutrient content of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) leaf and twig litter on a northern Utah site were measured at time of annual leaf fall. Decay rate and nutrient changes were monitored over a 2-year period. Approximately 1,397 kg/ha of leaves and 213 kg/ha of twigs were shed each summer and autumn of 3 years. This litterfall contained about 8 kg/ha of N, 1 kg/ha of P, 7 kg/ha of K, 30 kg/ha of Ca, and 2 kg/ha of Mg. Leaves supplied some 84 percent of the nutrients in litter. With the exception of an increase in Ca, the fresh aspen leaf litter contained lower concentrations of most nutrients than did green leaves harvested in August. Leaf litter held in situ in 1 mm mesh nylon bags lost 42 percent of its weight during the first winter, then remained relatively stable for the remainder of the 2-year period. Twig litter decayed at less than half this rate. Ash, N, P, and Fe contents of leaf litter appeared to increase and K, Ca, and Na contents appeared to decrease during the first winter. Ca content decreased markedly during the second summer, and there was a slow enrichment of these decaying leaves with N throughout the period. Forest Sci. 27:381-390.

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