A regional approach to litter dynamics in Southern Appalachian forests

Foliage litterfall, Ol litter mass, and its Mg, P, and K content were estimated for six forest types in the Southern Appalachian region using 252 forest survey plots of the USDA Forest Service. General allometric equations were used to compute foliage litterfall, and average species foliage elemental concentrations were used for litterfall elemental content. Exponential decay rate constants (k) of foliage mass and elements were estimated from foliage lignin concentrations. The procedure was tested with measured litterfall and Ol litter at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory and selected Forest Service plots in Macon County, North Carolina. Litterfall and Ol litter mass were accurately computed. Elemental content of litterfall and Mg and K mineralization rates were overestimated; P mineralization rate was underestimated. First-year immobilization of Ca may render the exponential decay model invalid for Ca.