Litterfall Production at Different Successional Stages in a Tropical Rain Forest in Southern Brazil

This study aims to evaluate the litterfall production of three areas in the tropical rain forest, in different successional stages, in the municipality of Sideropolis, Southern Santa Catarina state. Fifteen collectors of 0.25 m 2 each were used, distributed in three transects per study area (A1, A2 and AR). The highest litterfall production occurred in AR (8,131 kg.ha -1 ), followed by A2 (4,253 kg.ha -1 ) and A1 (2,740 kg.ha -1 ). The AR area produced significantly more leaves, reproductive material and wastes. This can be explained by its more developed forest structure, with large trees, more closed canopy and greater number of epiphytes. On the other hand, areas A1 and A2 produced significant amounts of thin stems. These areas have a higher proportion of species in early successional stages, a higher density of thin trees and a more open canopy, being subject to winds, which could result in greater production and fall of branches. The results of this study highlight the importance of litterfall production in different successional stages, becoming necessary studies with this emphasis to understand the nutritional dynamics of ecosystems, especially those that have suffered strong impacts in the past, such as open-pit coal mining.