LitterfallLitterfallThe return of nutrients to the soil via senescence of plant tissues. The primary components of litterfall are foliage, woody tissues, roots, and reproductive tissues. Litterfall nutrient fluxes vary widely between forest types and with the stage of forest development. Litterfall fluxes are greater for deciduous trees compared to coniferous trees growing in the same climatic zone. Litterfall fluxes show an increase with decreasing latitude: tropical > temperature > boreal. This progression in litterfall corresponds with an increase in net primary productivity from boreal to tropical ecosystems.
