Litter Fall and Nutrient Return in Quercus Cerris L. Var. Cerris Forests in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey

Abstract

Litter fall and nutrient return in a deciduous Quercus cerris L. var. cerris forest which constitutes the "etage supra-mediterraneen pre-pontique" vegetation layer in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey were investigated. Total annual input of litter was 681.90 g m(-2) of which 64% was leaf litter fall. followed by 27, 7 and 2% wood, reproductive and miscellaneous litter fall, respectively. The annual nutrient return through litter fall was 42.70 kg ha(-1) N, 2.62 kg ha(-1) P, 44.37 kg ha(-1) K, 85.78 kg ha(-1) Ca and 15.54 kg ha(-1) Mg. High turnover rate was found in the present study. However, turnover time was lower than other Quercus forests.