Abstract

Litter production and decomposition were investigated for 2 years in the oak, Quercus acutissima, and the pitch pine, Pinus rigida, stands in the vicinity of Kongju, Chungnam Province. Litter production was measured with litter trap at monthly basis. Litterbag method was used for the measurement of litter decomposition. Litter producion continued throughout the year, but showed a peak in autumn. Second peak in May or June was caused by falling of bud scales and reproductive organs. Average litter production in the oak and the pitch pine stands were $567.1g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}\;and\;653.2g{\cdot}m^{-2}{\cdot}yr^{-1}$, respectively. Litter production in this study area were higher than those in other reports. Nutrient concentrations in litter were the highest in summer when the least litter production occurred, and the lowest in autumn when the greatest litter production occurred, except for calcium in the oak stand. Nutrient concentrations of the oak litter were higher than those in the pitch pine litter. After 1 year, % remaining mass of oak and pitch pine litter was 43.6% and 58%, respectively. After 21 months elapsed, % remaining mass of oak and pitch pine litter was 22.2% and 33.2%, respectively.

상수리나무림과 리기다소나무에서 낙엽 생산과 분해를 조사하였다. 낙엽 생산량은 litter trap을, 낙엽의 분해는 litterbag를 이용하여 정량적으로 조사하였다. 낙엽의 생산은 연중 계속 되었지만 가을에 최대치를 보였으며, 5월과 6월에는 생식기관이나 눈을 싸고 있던 비늘에 의해 두 번째의 peak가 나타났다. 연간 낙엽 생산량은 상수리나무림과 리가다소나무림에서 각각 567.1g/m2과 653.2g/m2이었다. 본 조사지역의 낙엽 생산량은 다른 지역의 결과에 비해 많았다. 낙엽의 영양염류 함량은 상수리나무가 리기다소나무에 비해 높았고, 칼슘을 제외하고 낙엽생산량이 최대인 가을에 그 값이 낮았다. 1년이 지난 후 낙엽의 잔존률은 상수리나무와 리기다소나무가 각각 43.6%, 58%이었고, 21개월 후에는 그 값이 각각 22.2%와 33.2% 이었다.

Keywords

• Decomposition;
• Litter production;
• Nutrients;
• Pinus rigida;
• Quercus acutissima