CWE/822/2017 当前世界环境 0973-4929 2320-8031 Enviro Research Publishers CWE--32-00 Leaf Litter Decomposition of two Central Himalayan Oaks 1 Kumaun University, Department of Botany, DSB Campus, Nainital, 263002, India. 2015-08-31 10.12944/CWE.10.2.16 Volume 10 Volume 10 509 - 516 Abstract

The study was conducted in two natural oak forest of Nainital (Uttarakhand) India, during 2012-2013 to determine the weight loss pattern in leaf litter of two Central Himalayan Oaks (i.e., Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus. and Quercus floribunda Lindl.) with the help of litter bag technique. The present study concluded that weight loss proceeded throughout the study period and relatively higher within 60 days after the placement of litter bags into the soil. Among these two species, higher weight loss observed in Q. floribunda as compared to Q. leucotrichophora across both the sites. Within 365 days, average weight loss observed about 60% in Q. leucotrichophora and 62% in Q. floribunda. Decay rate coefficient rate ranged from 0.0596- 0.0014 for Q. leucotrichophora while it varies from 0.0558 to 0.0013 for Q. floribunda. The monthly relative decomposition rate (RDR) ranged between 0.0598-0.0014 g/g/day and 0.0208-0.0050 g/g/day for Q. leucotrichophora and Q. floribunda, respectively. Climatic factors (rainfall, temperature and relative humidity) also influenced the rate of decomposition.

关键字 Litter decomposition Oak forest Climatic factors Weight remaining Weight loss