Effects of stand density on litterfall and its turnover in pine plantations in northern Spain

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to study the dynamics of litterfall and litter decomposition in Pinus sylvestris and Pinus halepensis plantations in Castilla y León Region (Spain) as well as the effect of local density on these parameters. Four stands of each species were selected and eight plots were established on each stand. A littertrap and 15 litterbags were set on each plot. Litterfall was collected monthly and a litterbag was removed every three months. The dry weight of litterfall was determined separately for each fraction. The loss of weight over time of needles in the litterbags was also determined. Finally, the relationship between local basal area in the plots and the studied parameters was assessed. The obtained results show significant and positive effects of basal area on litterfall and significant and negative effects on decay rate of needles in the litterbags.