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| Titel |
Annual litterfall dynamics and nutrient deposition depending on elevation and land use at Mt. Kilimanjaro |
| VerfasserIn |
J. Becker, H. Pabst, J. Mnyonga, Y. Kuzyakov |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
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| Sprache |
Englisch
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| ISSN |
1726-4170
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| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Biogeosciences ; 12, no. 19 ; Nr. 12, no. 19 (2015-10-07), S.5635-5646 |
| Datensatznummer |
250118111
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| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/bg-12-5635-2015.pdf |
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| Zusammenfassung |
Litterfall is one of the major pathways connecting above- and below-ground
processes. The effects of climate and land-use change on carbon (C) and
nutrient inputs by litterfall are poorly known. We quantified and analyzed
annual patterns of C and nutrient deposition via litterfall in natural
forests and agroforestry systems along the unique elevation gradient of Mt.
Kilimanjaro.
Tree litter in three natural (lower montane, Ocotea and Podocarpus forests),
two sustainably used (homegardens) and one intensively managed (shaded
coffee plantation) ecosystems was collected on a biweekly basis from May
2012 to July 2013. Leaves, branches and remaining residues were separated
and analyzed for C and nutrient contents.
The annual pattern of litterfall was closely related to rainfall
seasonality, exhibiting a large peak towards the end of the dry season
(August–October). This peak decreased at higher elevations with
decreasing rainfall seasonality. Macronutrients (N, P, K) in leaf litter
increased at mid elevation (2100 m a.s.l.) and with land-use intensity.
Carbon content and micronutrients (Al, Fe, Mn, Na) however, were unaffected
or decreased with land-use intensity.
While leaf litterfall decreased with elevation, total annual input was
independent of climate. Compared to natural forests, the nutrient cycles in
agroforestry ecosystems were accelerated by fertilization and the associated
changes in dominant tree species. |
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