Summary
The pattern of decomposition of branch-wood greater than 2 cm diameter is described for a one hectare site at Meathop Wood, Cumbria, based on studies carried out as part of the IBP between 1967 and 1972. Three phases of decomposition are recognised. Following the death of branches in the canopy and their colonisation by fungi, decomposition proceeded at an average annual loss rate of about 8.4%. Wood at branch-fall had on average lost about 40% of its original dry weight. On the forest floor the average annual rate of weight lost to decomposition was 17.1%. This could be divided into two phases; fungi were predominant initially but shortly after branch-fall invasion by wood-boring animals occurred. The average annual branch-fall between 1967 and 1971 was 31.5 g·m-2. The standing crop of dead branch-wood on the forest floor was estimated in 1971 to be 203.3 g·m-2. Assuming steady state this implies an annual turnover of 15.5% of the standing crop which is in good agreement with the observed decomposition rate.
Considerable differences in the rates of decay were observed between individual branches. No significant differences were found between branches of the four main “species” of tree investigated (Quercus robur pluspetraea, Fraxinus excelsior, Betula pendula pluspubescens, Corylus avellana).
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bray, J.R., Gorham, E.: Litter production in forests of the world Adv. ecol. Res.2, 101–157 (1964)
Bunce, R.G.H.: Biomass and production of trees in a mixed deciduous woodland I. Girth and height as parameters for the estimation of tree dry weight. J. Ecol.56, 759–775 (1968)
Healey, I.N., Swift, M.J.: Aspects of the accumulation and decomposition of wood in the litter of a coppiced Beech-Oak Woodland IV eme. Coll. Int. Zool. Soc., pp. 417–430. Paris: INRA 1971
Jenny, H., Gessel, S.P., Bingham, F.T.: Comparative study of decomposition rates of organic matter in temperate and tropical regions. Soil Sci.68, 419–432 (1949)
Minderman, G.: Addition, decomposition and accumulation of organic matter in forests. J. Ecol.56, 355–362 (1968)
Mountford, M.D., Bunce, R.G.H.: Regression sampling with allometrically related viables, with particular reference to production studies. Forestry46, 203–212 (1973)
Olson, J.S.: Energy storage and the balance of producers and decomposers in ecological systems. Ecology44, 322–331 (1963)
Rosswall, T., Heal, O.W. (eds.): Structure and function of Tundra ecosystems. Ecol. Bull. 20, Stockholm, Swedish National Science Research Council (1975)
Satchell, J.E.: Feasibility study of an energy budget for Meathop Wood. In: Production of the World's forests (P. Duvignaud ed.). Brussels: Unesco 1970
Snedecor, G.W., Cochran, W.G.: Statistical methods applied to experiments in agriculture and biology 9th ed. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press 1969
Sokal, R.R., Rohlf, F.J.: Biometry: The principles and practice of statistics in biological research. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman 1969
Swift, M.J.: Species Diversity and the structure of microbial communities. In: The role of aquatic and terrestrial organisms in decomposition processes (J.M. Anderson, A. MacFadyen, eds.), pp. 185–222. Oxford: Blackwell's Scientific Publications 1976 (in press)
Sykes, J.M., Bunce, R.G.H.: Fluctuations in litter-fall in a mixed deciduous woodland over a three year period 1966–68. Oikos21, 326–329 (1970)
Witkamp, M., Ansmus, B.S.: Processes in decomposition and nutrient transfer in forest systems. In: The role of aquatic and terrestrial organisms in decomposition processes (J.M. Anderson, A. MacFadyen eds.), pp. 397–416. Oxford: Blackwell's Scientific Publications 1976 (in press)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Swift, M.J., Healey, I.N., Hibberd, J.K. et al. The decomposition of branch-wood in the canopy and floor of a mixed deciduous woodland. Oecologia 26, 139–149 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582892
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00582892