Litter Production Dynamics in Relation to Climatic Factors in Tree Plantations

We studied litterfall dynamics of 14 to 15 year old tree plantations in Dez River floodplain. The plantations consist of Populus euphratica Oliv., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., E. microtheca F. Muell, Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd., A. salicina Lindl., A. saligna (Labill.) H. Wendl., A. stenophylla Benth and Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. Litterfall was different between the tree species, and leaf litter fall was the dominant part, while reproductive and woody parts had considerable shares in some species. The results also showed that most of the litterfall from evergreen and deciduous trees occurred in June and October, respectively. Day length and maximum and minimum temperature controlled the litterfall of some species. Totally, we could state that although leaf litter is the main part of the litterfall, reproductive and woody parts have also considerable amounts in some species e.g. Eucalyptus species. Also, the obvious differences in litterfall fractions between the different species confirmed that the litterfall fractions should be considered in studying nutrient cycling.