Abstract
Annual production of litter by Cistus incanus (L.) and Myrtus communis (L.) and decomposition dynamics of leaf litter of these species was studied in a Mediterranean shrubland. Myrtus and Cistus produced 472 and 429 g dry weight litter m-2 year-1, respectively. Leaves were the predominant litter component for both species. The average decay constant of Myrtus and Cistus litters enclosed in litter bags, calculated over the whole study period (38 months), was 0.71 year-1 and 0.31 year-1 respectively. In green leaves the N content differed during growth seasons for both species, whereas the content of Ca, Mg, P, K, and Na did not show significant changes. Abscised leaves had lower N, P and K contents than green leaves, evidencing that a nutrient translocation before abscission occurred from senescent leaves. The nutrient contents of the leaves at abscission time, generally higher in Cistus than in Myrtus, allowed us to estimate the annual nutrient input to the soil. Phosphorus and K more than N were rapidly released by the decomposing litters after exposure. Nutrient limitation, in particular P, might be considered the main growth limiting factor for Myrtus and Cistus. Both species were adapted to recovery and rapidly recycle P more than N and K in the living biomass through retranslocation from green leaves before abscission and/or a high release rate from the decomposing litter. The former strategy was better used by Cistus, the latter by Myrtus.
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Acknowledgements
The research was supported by MURST (Ministero dell’Università e Ricerca Scientifica of Italy) and by ModMed2 project contract no. ENV45T950139 and ModMed3 project contract no. ENV4CT970680 (European Community). Thanks to Dr. N. Costantino, who permitted us to work in the Natural Reserve of Castel Volturno and to the warrant officer, N. Ricciardi and the staff of the “Ispettorato della Forestale di Castel Volturno” for their help. Thanks also to Dr G. Bartoli for help in nutrient analyses.
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Fioretto, A., Papa, S. & Fuggi, A. Litter-fall and litter decomposition in a low Mediterranean shrubland. Biol Fertil Soils 39, 37–44 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-003-0675-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-003-0675-5