Foliar biomass production and litterfall pattern of five timber species in forest plantations of semi-arid lands of the northeastern Mexico
<p>Fodder shrubs and trees have both economic as well as ecological values in most extensive systems of arid and semiarid regions.</p><p> As hypothesis, there is a relationship between the litterfall pattern and the foliar biomass production in forest plantations of semiarid areas, depending on the different seasons and species.</p><p> The studied species were: <em>Acacia berlandieri </em>(Benth.), <em>Acacia wrightii </em>(Benth.), <em>Ebenopsis ebano </em>(Berl.)<em> </em>Barneby,<em> Havardia pallens </em>(Benth.) Britton & Rose and <em>Helietta parvifolia </em>(Gray) Benth.</p><p> The foliar biomass was evaluated seasonally, from the dry weight of a representative branch of each species. The litterfall was collected every 15 days through litter traps installed under tree canopies, in experimental plantations of 30 years old, in the semi-arid zone of northeastern Mexico.</p><p> There were highly significant differences (p<0.01) both among<strong> </strong>species as seasons in the foliar biomass values, whereas there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among species in litterfall, but highly significant differences (P<0.01) among seasons. The foliar biomass reached the maximum production in summer (9029 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) with <em>E. ebano</em>, while the lowest value (103 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) was recorded with <em>A. wrightii</em> in winter. The litterfall greatest accumulation occurred in winter (296 kg ha<sup>-1</sup>) with <em>A. wrightii</em>. A significant linear correlation (R<sup>2</sup>=63%) was determined between accumulation of litterfall and foliar biomass production.</p> As conclusion, the litterfall pattern is related to the foliar biomass production, depending on the seasons and species. That constitutes a practical tool for the management of the forest ecosystems in semiarid areas.