PRODUÇÃO DE SERAPILHEIRA EM FLORESTA RESIDUAL DA CIDADE DE SÃO PAULO: PARQUE ESTADUAL DAS FONTES DO IPIRANGA

Abstract

Litter production was studied in the Biological Reserve of Instituto de Botânica, São Paulo (23°39'S°46°37'W), a residual forest supporting continuous pollution threat. Litter was sampled monthly from October 1990 to September, 1991, in 15 0:25 m² traps and separated in fractions. Annuallitter production was estimated in 7288.12 kg/ha. Foliar fraction has contributed with 4906.62 kg/ha, followed by branches (2007.87 kg/ ha), reproductive organs (241.84 kg/ha) and detritus (131.79 kg/ha). Mean monthly production variations did not show detectable relation with seasonal pattern of rainfall and temperature.