Abstract

RAVE-OVIEDO, Sindria Y.; MONTENEGRO-RIOS, Mónica  and  MOLINA-RICO, Ligia J.. LEAF FALL AND LEAF LITTER DECOMPOSITION OF Juglans neotropica DIELS (1906) (JUGLANDACEAE) IN AN ANDEAN MOUNTAIN FOREST, PIJAO (QUINDÍO), COLOMBIA. Actu Biol [online]. 2013, vol.35, n.98, pp.33-43. ISSN 0304-3584.

Leaf fall and leaf litter decomposition of Juglans neotropica Diels (1906) were analyzed in two forests: mature intervened forest (BMI) and young successional forest (BSJ) in the natural reserve ''El Árbol de la Cheta'', Pijao (Quindío), Colombia. Litterfall was assessed in 32 permanent plots of 0.0625 m² for 12 months; leaf litter decomposition was determined through the use of buried litter bags during six months. The total litter fall in the BMI was 48.5 kg/ha¹/year¹, and 50.9 kg/ha¹/year¹ in the BSJ. Biomass in the BMI was dominated by fruits (50.3%), and by leaf fraction in the BSJ (44.5%). Finally, there was no significant difference in litterfall between sampling sites (U = 1,108 p > 0.05). In the process of decomposition, the litter lost more than 50% of its initial weight in 90 days in the BMI, while in the BSJ it lost 46.39%. Litter decomposition was fit to a linear model with average values of k (año^-1) of 1.76 in the BMI, and 1.74 in the BSJ, with an adjustment of 96.34% in the BMI, and 98.33% in the BSJ. The time required to decompose 99% of the litter was 2.6 years for the two sites. Rapid weight loss is consistent with the concentration of N (5.29%) and the C/N relation (8.37%) of the litter.

Keywords : Colombia; Juglans neotropica; litter decomposition; mature intervened forest; relation C/N; young successional forest.

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