The accumulation of litter under a cypress plantation

Abstract

Leaf litter is produced by litter fall that in turn transfers plant detritus from aboveground parts of forest ecosystems to the soil surface. This detritus decomposes on the forest floor and produces the major sources of energy and nutrients for the soil and also litter organisms. This is the major mechanism for the recycling of nutrients to the plant community. In environments that are prone to fire, certain factors will influence the quantity of fuel present for burning at any one time. These factors include the rates of litter fall, litter decomposition and also forest fall accumulation. Cypress is the common name for the Cupressaceae family that is found in subtropical regions all over the world. The aim of this project was to determine the suitability of the Cypress tree as a fire barrier. The litter produced by a cypress tree plantation in Gnejna, limits of Mgarr was examined and its degradation rate and chlorophyll degradation were measured. The change in volatile oils during degradation was also investigated. As a preliminary study, this work has indicated that the Cypress tree is ideal to be used as a green barrier against fire.