Objective: The paper aims to
analyze the dynamic characteristics of litter production and nutrient return of
the forest ecosystems in subtropical areas, and provide a theoretical basis for
the nutrient cycling study in southwest Hubei Province and carbon sink function
of the whole forest ecosystem. Methods: Three typical forest stands
(Chinese fir plantation, Cryptomeria fortunei plantation and evergreen
and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest) in Golden Mountain Forest Farm in
southwest Hubei Province were investigated and monitored continuously for the
litter types and productivity and nutrient return. Results: The annual
litter productivity of the three forest stands ranged from 161.77 to 396.26 kg·hm-2;
Litters of branches, leaves and reproductive organs accounted for 14.14% - 20.85%,
33.26% - 78.33%, 7.52% - 42.18% of the total, respectively; The litter
productivity and total litter productivity of each composition in the three
forest stands show unimodal or bimodal changes over months, and the total
litter productivity reached the highest value in January, April and October
respectively. For different nutrient contents of the three forest stands, the
common feature is C > N. The order of nutrient return amount from greatest
to least is evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest, Cryptomeria
fortunei plantation and Chinese fir plantation. For different nutrient
return amounts, the common feature is C > N, and the nutrient return amounts
are 76.51-180.69 kg·hm-2 and 2.3 - 5.71 kg·hm-2 respectively. Conclusion: The annual litter productivity and nutrient
return amount of the evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest are the
highest among
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