Litterfall Weights From LTER Study Site Treatment Plots: 1990 - Present

Litter is measured within the nutrient treatment plots at LTER research sites located within the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest. The 21 LTER treatment sites monitored for litterfall represent three replicates each of four successional stages of primary succession on the floodplain of the Tanana River and three stages of succession following wildfire in the uplands. Three litter trays are placed within each treatment at the 21 LTER sites. Litter trays are 0.5 m x 0.5 m wooden frames constructed of 1" x 4" boards with fine screen stapled to the bottom side. Litter is collected in the spring as soon after snowmelt as possible (usually in May) and in some years in the fall just before freeze-up as well. Litter collections bagged are removed to the lab where they are dried in ovens at 65 deg C for at least 48 hours. Each sample is then weighed to the nearest 0. 1 grams. In 2009 treatments A and C were dropped from the study after finishing the 20 year study.