Мonthly fluctuations in litterfall in forest communities, part of the LTER-BG network
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Date
2026-04-10
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Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski"
Abstract
Litterfall is a crucial component of forest ecosystems that links the tree canopy and soils. It is one of the indicators that must be monitored in the sites of the “Bulgarian Network for Long-Term Ecosystem Research - LTER BG”, which is a part of the “European Network for Long-Term Ecosystem Research”. The present study aimed to determine the production of total litterfall and its components (leaves, flowers and fruits, branches and seeds) and their monthly fluctuations at beech and spruce ecosystems situated at different altitudes. Litterfall quantities were studied in three sample plots in beech and spruce forests in the Balkan Mountains, located in sites of the LTER BG network. The monthly dynamics of deciduous forest show, as expected, the highest amounts of litterfall during the autumn months, with the leaf fraction dominating, followed by the cupulas and seeds. The average annual amount for beech forests was 506.5 g.m-2. In spruce forests, the annual amount was 623.28 g.m-2, with the largest percentage being needles, followed by cones and branches. The annual dynamics of litter in spruce forests show the presence of litter in all months of the year with a predominant fraction of needles. The difference in altitudes determines the monthly variations in litter fractions in beech forests. Further studies can continue with the study of the chemical composition of the litterfall in order to clarify the cycling of elements.
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Keywords
litterfall, stocks, annual dynamics