Fallen fruits stimulate decomposition of leaf litter of dominant species in NW Patagonia shrublands
- de Paz, Manuel
- Gobbi, Miriam E.
- Raffaele, Estela
DOIAbstract
Background and aims: Leaf-litter decomposition rate (kL) regulates nutrient dynamics and is affected at microsite level by species traits, soil biota and microclimate conditions. Fallen fruits form part of the litter and some, particularly fleshy fruits, contain large quantities of nutrients and sugar. We estimated the amount of fruit fall to litter, and evaluated the effect of its decomposition and sugar content on kL in dominant species of NW Patagonia shrublands. Methods: We selected six woody species, four with fleshy and two with dry fruit. We followed 224 decomposition bags with leaf or leaf+fruit throughout 1 year. Fruit-litter and fruit sugar content were also measured. Results and conclusions: Fleshy fruit decomposition rate was as...
Add to ORKG