Resumen de Litterfall production of cork oak forests in Montseny massif in relation to climate
Antònia Caritat, Lluis Vilar Sais
From 1996 to 2002 the monthly litterfall in the Montseny Quercus suber forest (NE Iberian Peninsula) was recorded and its relationship with meteorological variables was statistically analysed. The average annual production was 477 g m-2, similar to that found in other Mediterranean evergreen forests relatively high rainfall. The main components are the leaves, representing 55% of the total, followed by acorns (22%) and twigs (16%). Litterfall production is highest during May and June, when the majority of the old leaves fall. When the climate conditions are favourable, a second leaf fall collection has been observed. Acorn production in 2001 was about nine times that of the previous years and can therefore be considered a mast year. Interannual covariation was significant for leaves/twigs and leaves/catkins. The strongest correlation is of rainfall precipitation with twig litterfall. Also a significant effect has been detected between temperature and leaf litterfall; the years with highest leaf litterfall were the hottest.
