Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems
Abstract Background As compared to natural forest ecosystems, soils under agroecosystems are more subjected to changes in physical and biochemical attributes. But, tree species that are retained and/or planted on these agroecosystems replenish soil fertility through the influence of leaves litterfal...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Environmental Systems Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-022-00278-0 |
| _version_ | 1797977201790943232 |
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| author | Gezahegn Kassa Tamrat Bekele Sebsebe Demissew Tesfaye Abebe |
| author_facet | Gezahegn Kassa Tamrat Bekele Sebsebe Demissew Tesfaye Abebe |
| author_sort | Gezahegn Kassa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background As compared to natural forest ecosystems, soils under agroecosystems are more subjected to changes in physical and biochemical attributes. But, tree species that are retained and/or planted on these agroecosystems replenish soil fertility through the influence of leaves litterfall quantity and quality. Tree species-related differences in the quantity and seasonality of leaves litterfall and the associated amounts of annual returns of nutrient elements were assessed from four multipurpose tree/shrub species (Erythrina brucei Schweinf, Cordia africana Lam., Grevillea robusta R. Br. and Malus sylvestris Mill.) in homegarden agroforestry systems. Five replicates of two leaf litterfall traps per species were randomly positioned beneath the subcanopy area for 12 months, totaling 40 litterfall traps distributed among the four species. Results The results of this study suggested that total annual leaves litterfall varied significantly among species (ranging from 171.18 to 962 kg ha− 1), with the combined per tree mean monthly (28.13 kg tree− 1), per tree annual (331.10 kg tree− 1 year− 1) and per area basis total annual (9439.33 kg ha− 1) leaves litterfall production. A clear seasonal leaves litterfall pattern with varying peaks was observed for the multipurpose tree/shrub species in the present study, with a bimodal distribution pattern for E. brucei and C. africana and a unimodal distribution pattern for G. robusta and M. sylvestris. Similarly, both the concentrations and inputs of nutrients from the leaves᾽ litterfall showed considerable variations among species (p < 0.05). Among the investigated species, C. africana and E. brucei were found to be the best in terms of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) return, G. robusta the best in terms of phosphorous (P) return, and C. africana as well best for potassium (K) return. The combined mean annual nutrient inputs recorded for all the species were 3125.32 kg C ha− 1 year− 1, 149.70 kg N ha− 1 year− 1, 54.86 kg K ha− 1 year− 1, and 3.56 kg P ha− 1 year− 1. Conclusions Leaves litterfall amount differed among tree species as influenced by tree species characteristics (canopy area, diameter at breast height (DBH), height), but no cause-effect relationship with age and climate (monthly precipitation and temperature). |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:04:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7ffa5ae893f243188f67e5b9a0b446e2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2193-2697 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T05:04:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Environmental Systems Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-7ffa5ae893f243188f67e5b9a0b446e22022-12-25T12:31:17ZengSpringerOpenEnvironmental Systems Research2193-26972022-12-0111111610.1186/s40068-022-00278-0Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systemsGezahegn Kassa0Tamrat Bekele1Sebsebe Demissew2Tesfaye Abebe3Department of Natural Resource Management, Arba Minch UniversityDepartment of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa UniversityDepartment of Plant Biology and Biodiversity Management, Addis Ababa UniversitySchool of Plant and Horticultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Hawassa UniversityAbstract Background As compared to natural forest ecosystems, soils under agroecosystems are more subjected to changes in physical and biochemical attributes. But, tree species that are retained and/or planted on these agroecosystems replenish soil fertility through the influence of leaves litterfall quantity and quality. Tree species-related differences in the quantity and seasonality of leaves litterfall and the associated amounts of annual returns of nutrient elements were assessed from four multipurpose tree/shrub species (Erythrina brucei Schweinf, Cordia africana Lam., Grevillea robusta R. Br. and Malus sylvestris Mill.) in homegarden agroforestry systems. Five replicates of two leaf litterfall traps per species were randomly positioned beneath the subcanopy area for 12 months, totaling 40 litterfall traps distributed among the four species. Results The results of this study suggested that total annual leaves litterfall varied significantly among species (ranging from 171.18 to 962 kg ha− 1), with the combined per tree mean monthly (28.13 kg tree− 1), per tree annual (331.10 kg tree− 1 year− 1) and per area basis total annual (9439.33 kg ha− 1) leaves litterfall production. A clear seasonal leaves litterfall pattern with varying peaks was observed for the multipurpose tree/shrub species in the present study, with a bimodal distribution pattern for E. brucei and C. africana and a unimodal distribution pattern for G. robusta and M. sylvestris. Similarly, both the concentrations and inputs of nutrients from the leaves᾽ litterfall showed considerable variations among species (p < 0.05). Among the investigated species, C. africana and E. brucei were found to be the best in terms of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) return, G. robusta the best in terms of phosphorous (P) return, and C. africana as well best for potassium (K) return. The combined mean annual nutrient inputs recorded for all the species were 3125.32 kg C ha− 1 year− 1, 149.70 kg N ha− 1 year− 1, 54.86 kg K ha− 1 year− 1, and 3.56 kg P ha− 1 year− 1. Conclusions Leaves litterfall amount differed among tree species as influenced by tree species characteristics (canopy area, diameter at breast height (DBH), height), but no cause-effect relationship with age and climate (monthly precipitation and temperature).https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-022-00278-0Litterfall patternsNutrient concentration and returnsSeasonal variationSustainabilityAgroecosystem |
| spellingShingle | Gezahegn Kassa Tamrat Bekele Sebsebe Demissew Tesfaye Abebe Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems Environmental Systems Research Litterfall patterns Nutrient concentration and returns Seasonal variation Sustainability Agroecosystem |
| title | Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems |
| title_full | Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems |
| title_fullStr | Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems |
| title_short | Leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree/shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems |
| title_sort | leaves litterfall and nutrient inputs from four multipurpose tree shrub species of homegarden agroforestry systems |
| topic | Litterfall patterns Nutrient concentration and returns Seasonal variation Sustainability Agroecosystem |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-022-00278-0 |
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