Abstract

GONZALEZ-RODRIGUEZ, Humberto et al. Litterfall production and nutrient returns through leaves in a microphyllous desert scrubland, northeastern Mexico. Rev. Chapingo ser. cienc. for. ambient [online]. 2013, vol.19, n.2, pp.249-262. ISSN 2007-4018.  https://doi.org/10.5154/r.rchscfa.2012.08.048.

Litterfall and macro (Ca, N, P, Mg and K) and microminerals (Fe, Mn and Zn) components of the leaves were compared in two sites for 12 months (September 2008-Agust 2009). Site 1 was located in El Llano de La Soledad, Galeana, Nuevo León, Mexico (1863 m) and site 2 in San José del Alamito, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico (1895 m). A total of 10 litter traps (1 m²) were randomly located at each site to collect litterfall. The annual litterfall at site 2 was higher (407 g·m^-2·year^-1) than at site 1 (162 g·m^-2·year^-1). Leaves (47.7 and 53.2%: site 1 and site 2, respectively) constituted the highest component, followed by branches (24.6 and 20.3%), reproductive structures (21.3 and 20.2%) and others (4.3 and 7.6%). The deposition of macro and microminerals was higher at site 2 than at site 1. The spatio-temporal differences in litterfall and mineral return might have been related to the extreme temperatures, plant species composition and chemical soil properties.

Keywords : Leaves; mineral deposition; El Llano de La Soledad; San José del Alamito; Coahuila.

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