Litterfall production modeling based on climatic variables and nutrient return from stands of Eucalyptusgrandis Hill ex Maiden and Pinustaeda L.

ABSTRACT.- Native grasslands in the Pampas of South America are increasingly being replaced by Eucalyptus and Pinus stands. The short rotation regimes used for the stands require high nutrient levels, with litterfall being a major source of nutrient return. To model the litterfall production using climatic variables and assess the nutrient return in 14-year-old Eucalyptusgrandis and Pinustaeda stands, we measured litter production over 2 years, using conical litter traps, and monitored climatic variables.