Pattern of litterfall production and nutrient addition in soil through litterfall by different tree species: A review

Abstract

Innutrient dynamics, an extremely valuable resource is litterfall. It is crucial to the dynamics of soil nutrients, the characteristics of soil, and the transfer of energy. In an agroforestry system, decomposition and litter fall are the two key processes that contribute to soil enrichment. In addition to affecting soil characteristics and ecology, litter fall in soil has a significant impact on carbon sequestration. The type of tree, the management methods, and the quantity and quality of litter all affect how much the soil is enriched. The complicated ecophysiological process of litterfall is influenced by both internal and external variables. Other significant causes of leaf fall include variations in weather and photoperiod as well as internal plant characteristics like age of leaf or potential endogenous rhythams. Nutrients are converted as a result of decomposition of different components of litter, and their release is influenced by the content of the litter, moisture, activity of microbes, C:N, temperature, and other variables. Litterfall therefore contributes to the long-term maintenance of nutrient levels in forest ecosystems and has been a primary research focus for a better understanding of soil fertility, site productivity, and forest services.