Litterfall and Litter Decomposition in Pinus and Native Forests

ABSTRACT Litter production and decomposition makes it possible to supply a good part of the nutrient demand of forest stands. Although several studies on this subject have been carried out in Pinus stands in different regions of Brazil, there are no records of studies carried out in the Northeast region, or in particular in the state of Bahia. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the litter production (litterfall) and decomposition in Pinus stands in the southwest region of Bahia, using an area of native forest as reference. Litterfall was evaluated during twelve months with the use of suspended collectors. Litter accumulation was quantified by means of three collections. The values obtained from litterfall were similar among Pinus stands. However, these values were lower than those found in the reference forest and in stands of the same genus in other regions of Brazil. Litter decomposition is relatively slow in Pinus sp. stands. The temporal variation of the litter supply is not very sensitive to the climate variations.