Litter decomposition in Eucalyptus saligna Smith plantation in Pampa biome in southern of Brazil

The litter decomposition is an important source of nutrient return to forest plantations. This study the aimed to characterize the seasonal dynamics of nutrient cycling via litter decomposition, in a plantation of Eucalyptus saligna, cultivated in the Pampa biome in southern Brazil. We evaluated litter produced and accumulated, as well as accumulated nutrients. Seasonal rates of decomposition were indirectly estimated. The season with the highest values of litter decomposition was summer. On the other hand, winter was the season with the lowest values of litter decomposition. The low values of decomposition coefficient (k = 0.605) found in our study show that the remaining 95% (t0.95) of the litter on the soil will be there for five years. The greatest stocks of nutrients in the litter produced and accumulated were Ca and N. Thus, the litter constitutes a long-term reservoir of larger amounts of Ca and N and, through decomposition, makes K available more immediately.