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Litter plays a central role in regulating nutrient cycling and soil water dynamics in tropical forests, yet the functional contribution of its individual fractions across seasonal transitions remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluated the influence of seasonality and litter fractions (leaves, woody material, and miscellaneous) on accumulated biomass, water retention capacity (WRC), and nutrient composition in a Seasonal Semideciduous Forest located in the Cerrado–Amazon transition zone, Brazil. Sampling was conducted during the rainy (February) and dry (August) seasons. Total litter biomass did not differ significantly between seasons ( p > 0.05), suggesting structural stability in overall litter stock. However, fractional composition shifted seasonally, with woody material predominating during the rainy season and miscellaneous fraction and leaf fractions increasing during the dry period. WRC exhibited seasonal sensitivity primarily in the leaf fraction, with higher values during the rainy season. Chemical analysis revealed significant interactions between seasonal periods and litter fractions for all variables. Nitrogen and zinc concentrations were significantly higher across all fractions during the rainy season. Conversely, potassium and calcium peaked in the leaf fraction during the dry season, underscoring the role of dry leaves as a nutrient reservoir. Phosphorus and sulfur levels were consistently lower in the woody fraction. Among micronutrients, the miscellaneous fraction acted as a primary sink for iron and copper, with iron reaching its highest concentration during the dry period (2269.6 mg kg −1 ). Nitrogen concentrations were higher and C:N ratios lower in all fractions during the rainy season (15.9–17.2), while C:N values increased during the dry season, particularly in woody material (28.3). These findings indicate that seasonal litter dynamics are driven by internal fractional and chemical reorganization. The leaf fraction is vital for hydrological regulation, while specific chemical shifts across fractions modulate nutrient availability. Understanding these fraction-specific responses improves predictions of ecosystem resilience under seasonal climatic variability.
Favalessa et al. (Wed,) studied this question.