Aspects of litter production in a New Zealand lowland podocarp/broadleaf forest

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Abstract
Litter-fall was collected monthly for 16 months in 69 funnels of 0.0625 m2 catching area on two 2.25 ha sites in lowland podocarp/broadleaf forest in the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington. New Zealand. At both sites, litter fell throughout the year, with most leaves falling in summer, fruits in autumn, and twigs in spring. Seasonal patterns of leaf-fall were examined for seven species of trees. Five of the seven showed a summer peak of leaf-fall and two an autumn peak; all seven shed fewest leaves in winter. Leaf, fruit, and flower production differed markedly between sites. Total annualleafand flower fall at one site (area A) was estimated at 3026 kg/ha, with 260 kg/ha of fruit and seeds and 1234 kg/ha of twigs < 28 cm long. At a second site (area D). leaf and flower fall was 20% less, fruit and seed fall 60% less, and twig fall 22% less. Implications of the differences between these two areas are discussed in relation to the ecology of brush tail possums there.