Litter Fall, Standing Litter and Leaves Decomposition Within Urban Tropical Forest of Zoological Park of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo


	Research Journal of Botany
	Year: 2018 \| Volume: 13 \| Issue: 1 \| Page No.: 1-10 DOI: 10.3923/rjb.2018.1.10

Litter Fall, Standing Litter and Leaves Decomposition Within Urban Tropical Forest of Zoological Park of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo

Ifo Suspense Averti

, Malonga Marini Urielle, Milandou Jodrhy, Madingou Mady Parfait, Mavoungou Naiving, Stevanche Nzingoula and Binsangou Stoffenne

Abstract: Background and Objective: Urban forest can play an important role to mitigate global change and regulate local climate of cities. Litter fall and leaf decomposition represent the main pathway for nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. The aims of this study were to: (i) Evaluate the annual production of litter fall, (ii) Quantify the standing litter stock (iii) and monitor the dynamics of the litter decay. Materials and Methods: Litter fall and decomposition were studied in urban forest of Zoological Park of Brazzaville during twelve months. Experimental design has been installed in the urban forest of parczoologique. Litter fall was collected every two weeks and litter decay was studied with the technique of litter bag. Eight litter fall traps were installed in the study area. Results: An average annual production of 731 g DM m^–2 year^–1 was obtained and leaves represent the largest fraction with 63.9% of total litter. Decomposition of leaves was greater in the rainy season, with nearly the loss of 46% of the initial mass, where an average loss of 26% of the initial mass was noted in the dry season. However, it is important to note the influence of plant species in the rate of litter decay. Two species were chosen: Millettialaurentii De Wild. and Antiaristoxicaria Lesch. Three types of litter were prepared to follow litter decay: one of Millettialaurentii, one of Antiaristoxicaria and one mixte of (Millettialaurentii+AntiarisToxicaria). The most important loss of weight was noted during the rainy season. Conclusion: The results showed that the urban forest of Brazzaville is an old forest and transfers an important stock of carbon in the soil component during the litter decomposition.

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How to cite this article:

Ifo Suspense Averti, Malonga Marini Urielle, Milandou Jodrhy, Madingou Mady Parfait, Mavoungou Naiving, Stevanche Nzingoula and Binsangou Stoffenne, 2018. Litter Fall, Standing Litter and Leaves Decomposition Within Urban Tropical Forest of Zoological Park of Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo. Research Journal of Botany, 13: 1-10.

DOI: 10.3923/rjb.2018.1.10

URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjb.2018.1.10

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