Mineral Return via the Litter of Artemisia tridentata

Artemisia tridentata on the A. tridentata-Agropyron spicatum habitat type (h.t.) annually sheds approximately 117 kg/ha of leaf and inflorescence litter as determined by collecting litter of shrubs enclosed in nylon net cages. Total available amounts of cations (kg/ha) to a depth of 1 m on this h.t. are: Ca, 21,936; Mg, 4450; ?, 127.2; and ?, 3588. On the adjacent A. tridentata-Poa secunda h.t., approximately l/2 of the leaf litter is lost in the 1st year on the soil surface with an element mobility series of K> Mg> ? = Ca. Inflorescence litter apparently decays completely within 6 months after abscission.