Composition and seasonal dynamics of tree litterfall in oak forests of the southern part of Primorsky Krai

Litterfall is an important component of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Data on its periodicity and amount in oak forests are crucial for understanding tree–soil interactions, assessing the successional status of forests, as well as for proper forest management and fire prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in mass and fractional composition of tree litterfall, taking into account its seasonal dynamics in a secondary oak forest. Litterfall, including leaves, branches and bark, reproductive organs, and other fractions, was collected on five permanent plots from September 2023 to September 2024. Each plot was equipped with 10 litterfall traps (0.71 × 0.71 m). The average annual litterfall mass in the studied biogeocenosis amounted to 6.49 ± 0.20 t ha⁻¹. The fractional composition of litterfall differed among plots and reflected stand composition. For four of the plots, litterfall was dominated by leaves of Mongolian oak, Manchurian linden, Amur linden, and mono maple. The lowest litterfall input was recorded in the winter–spring period (0.26 ± 0.04 t ha⁻¹), while the highest occurred in autumn (4.93 ± 0.18 t ha⁻¹). Leaves accounted for 71.1% of the total litter mass; reproductive organs – 14.5%; bark and branches – 14.0%. From winter to autumn, leaf litter mass increased sharply, bark and branch fractions grew gradually, while reproductive organs were shed mainly in summer.