Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology

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Hosseini V, Mohammadi Samani K, Moradi F. Nutrient Dynamics of Lebanon Oak (Quercus libani Oliv.) Leaf Litter Affected by Pollarding at Two Different Times in Forests of Baneh. Iranian Journal of Applied Ecology 2025; 14 (2) :25-38
URL: http://ijae.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1270-en.html

Pollarding in forest can affect quantity and dynamics of leaf litter nutrients over time. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of pollarding on the chemical properties of the oak leaf litter after fall and nine months later. A  sacred grove (less disturbed forest) stand  and a nearby pollarded forest stand (Gallajar) located in the Madjese in Baneh County, were selected. In each stand, ten plots 4×4 meters, were established and leaf litters were collected after leaf fall and nine months later in November of 2022 and July 2023 respectively. Totally, 40 leaf litter samples were collected. The measured chemical properties included carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, EC, C/N and C/P ratios. The results indicated that the leaf litter of sacred grove had higher quality than the Gallajar stand at the beginning of autumn, as indicated by the higher concentration of carbon, nitrogen, and potassium, as well as a lower C/N ratio. Additionally, the rate of litter decomposition in the sacred grove was faster than the Gallajar stand. In general, pollarding affected understory microclimate conditions through the reduction of leaves and litter input. Consequently, litter quality declined, and rate of nutrient return to the soil decreased.