Contribuição das folhas de lianas na produção de serapilheira em um fragmento de floresta estacional semidecidual em São Carlos, SP

Abstract

Litter yield was measured on the course of 12 months in a remnant tropical semidecidual forest. Litter samples were classified in: stems and branches, reproductive part, liana leaves and other leaves. Total litter yield was of 12,221 kg ha-1 y-1, with no significant differences among months and with no significant differences between the dry and rainy season. Leaves contributed to the greater production of litter, with 7,750 kg ha -1 y-1, from which 2,317 kg ha-1 y-1 (19%) are from liana, which had a wide distribution. However, liana did not show great leaf fall, as did some tree species. Liana leaf release to the litter layer was continuous, but a little peak occurred during the period with a greater evapotranspiration process.