Abstract

SANCHEZ, Saray; CRESPO, G; HERNANDEZ, Marta  and  GARCIA, Y. Biotic and abiotic factors that influence litter decomposition in pasturelands. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2008, vol.31, n.2, pp. 1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

Litter constitutes the main way of entrance of nutrients in the soil and is one of the key points for recycling organic matter and nutrients. Several authors have studied in detail the dynamics of the decomposition of the litter of ligneous plants, in temperate as well as Mediterranean climates. Nevertheless, there are few studies about the decomposition dynamics of litter in pasturelands, in spite of its importance in the primary and secondary production, especially in systems in which the available nutrients for the vegetation are scarce, as in pastureland ecosystems. That is why in this work such processes are approached, as well as the effect of climate, vegetation, soil and decomposing fauna, as main factors that determine the process of litter decomposition in pasturelands. In addition, the most relevant results related to the use of silvopastoral systems as viable alternative to achieve ecological and productive sustainability of tropical pasturelands are offered, with higher emphasis on the role these systems play in nutrient recycling.

Keywords : Soil fauna; litter; silvopastoral systems.

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