In situ leaf litter production, decomposition and nutrient release of dry Afromontane trees

Abstract

ABSTRACT The litter fall production, decomposition and subsequent nutrient release of Carrisa edulis, Juniperus procera, Maytenus obscura and Olea europaea was monitored in the dry Afromontane forest of Northern Ethiopia by collecting abscised leaves using litter trap with a 192 litter bags in a randomised complete block design and collected monthly for 8 months where leaf mass and nutrient release of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were monitored. J. procera had the highest litter fall production. C. edulis had the highest leaf mass loss (27%) followed by M. obscura (22%) and the lowest was from J. procera (9%). The leaf of J. procera had significantly higher C content (p < 0.05) than the leaf of the other three species. Leaf of C. edulis N concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the other species. C. edulis had the fastest litter decomposition rate and the lowest was found in J. procera. High lignin, lignin:N and C:N was found in J. procera followed by O. europaea and were low in C. edulis. The rate of decomposition of J. procera leaves were slower than the other three species. The higher lignin, lignin:N and C:N contents of J. procera leaves contributed to the slower decomposition rate. The litter fall from C. edulis can be a supplemental source of nutrients for fertility maintenance nutrient deficient areas and low organic matter and the leaves of J. procera could be used as mulch to prevent erosion in erosion prone areas.