Climate influence on litter dynamics in a seasonal semideciduous forest in Valença municipality, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil

Abstract

Understanding the factors underlying litter dynamics is of great importance to fully comprehend the development
of forest ecosystems. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the influence of precipitation and temperature on litterfall and litter storage
and decomposition in a seasonal semideciduous forest in Serra da Concórdia, Valença municipality, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil.
Litter was evaluated throughout 12 months in a forest remnant, using suspended tapered collectors for litterfall and 0.25 m2
squares for soil litter stock. The amount of litter found in the remaining forest was lower than that reported in the literature, with
higher values at the end of the dry season. Temperature and precipitation negatively influenced litterfall and litter stock, with
effects showing after two to four months. Knowing the relationships between litter and climate conditions aids in understanding
and using litter as an indicator in forest areas. Thereby, it also enables the evaluation on the possible recovery of ecological
functions in a given environment.