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Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
To assess the ecological function of Cistus
salviifolius (CS) and C. ladanifer (CL) shrubs in
evergreen oak woodlands, a study was conducted
over a 4-year period in southern Portugal. Annual
potential return of bio-elements to the soil through
litterfall and throughfall, and necromass on soil
surface under shrub canopies were assessed along
with the dynamics of leaf litter decomposition. Soil
bulk density and soil-water retention at different soil
matric potential were measured at 0–5 and 5–10 cm
depth, and soil chemical properties were determined
at 0–5, 5–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm depth beneath
canopies and at barren spaces. Litterfall was higher
for CL (4.4–4.6 Mg DM ha−1 year−1) than for CS
(3.3–3.8 Mg DM ha−1 year−1). Annual amount of N
returned to the soil through litterfall of CS (22.9 kg N
ha−1 year−1) was higher than by that of CL (17.2 kg N
ha−1 year−1), whereas the return of P in CL (4.1 kg P ha−1 year−1) was higher than in CS (2.1 kg P ha−1
year−1). Leaf decomposition was faster for CS (k=
−0.87) than for CL (k=−0.44). N release was also
faster for CS than for CL, while that of P was much
faster for CL than for CS. Throughfall proportions
were 61% of bulk rainfall for CS and 79% for CL.
Annual return of Cl−, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ by throughfall
was more pronounced for CL than for CS. Shrubs
improved soil quality, especially in the 0–5 cm top
soil layer, by enhancement of organic matter and
nutrient content beneath shrub canopies. Therefore,
shrubs may promote the invasion of more demanding
species, since local areas of high fertility are likely to
be favoured sites for vegetation regeneration
Description
Keywords
oak woodlands Mediterranean shrubs litterfall decomposition throughfall potential return of bio-elements soil rehabilitation
Pedagogical Context
Citation
"Plant Soil". ISSN 0032-079x. 323 (2009) 249-265
Publisher
Springer