Needle Litterfall in Stands of Pinus sylvestris L. in Sweden, in Relation to Site Quality, Stand Age and Latitude

1988

5 Abb., 3 Tab., 26 Lit. Ang.

Unselbständiges Werk

12244

200022608

Current annual needle litterfall was analysed in 16 Scotspine stands of different ages, site qualities and latitudes. As a mean, the cu rrent needle litterfall was 1 605 kg (dw) per ha and year, corresponding to a current annual volume increase of 7.9 m3. It was shown that the needle litterfall 1) increased with increasing site quality, 2) decreased with increasing standage, and 3) decreased with increasing latitude. An increase in the number of l iving age classes of needles in the tree crowns with increasing latitude was observed. This should be considered if total needle biomass in the crowns is to be estimated from litterfall. A method is proposed for calculating current annual needle litterfall in Pinus sylvestris stands of any age, site quality or latitude in Sweden.