Home /Decomposition rate of Quercus rotundifolia leaves in an evergreen oak forest of the Duero Basin (Province of Zamora, Spain)

Decomposition rate of Quercus rotundifolia leaves in an evergreen oak forest of the Duero Basin (Province of Zamora, Spain)

TitleDecomposition rate of Quercus rotundifolia leaves in an evergreen oak forest of the Duero Basin (Province of Zamora, Spain)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1992
AuthorsHERNÁNDEZ, I., Gallardo J. F., I Regina S., & Quilchano C.
JournalPlant Ecology
Volume99-100
Pagination259-262
Keywordsforest ecosystems, leaf decomposition
Abstract

Experimental litter decomposition of Quercus rotundifolia leaves in an evergreen oak forest of the semiarid area of the Duero Basin has been carried out. The loss of weight of the decomposing oak leaves was 623, j, after 24 months. In general, it is physical factors (mainly precipitation) which limit the decompo- sition of the evergreen oak leaves. Different patterns of bioelement losses were observed, increasing the relative content of N and P, and decreasing the amounts of Mg, K and Na in the decomposing leaves.