Litterfall and phenological patterns of the dominant overstorey species of a desert scrub community in north-western Mexico

Litterfall and phenological patterns for six structurally important perennial species of a desert scrub community in Mexico (Jatropha cinerea, J. cuneata, Fouquieria diguetti, Bursera microphylla, Cyrtocarpa edulisandProsopis articulata) are described for a 34-month period. The total litter obtained for the community in an experimental plot was 1•2 t ha−1year−1. Results showed that species could be grouped according to their production of vegetative structures in relation to water availability; this production of vegetative structures was related to species-specific leaf morphology. Conversely, the production of sexual structures depended on temperature and humidity