Production and Decomposition Rate of Forest Litter at Universitas Jambi: Production and Decomposition Rate of Forest Litter at Universitas Jambi

Abstrak

This study aimed to measure litter production, analyze decomposition rates, and evaluate litter and understory vegetation accumulation in heterogeneous and homogeneous ecosystems of the Universitas Jambi campus forest. The research was conducted at four observation sites: heterogeneous forest (HKL and HKR) and homogeneous stands of Paraserianthes falcataria (SK) and Hevea brasiliensis (KK), from April to June 2026. Litter production was measured using litter traps method, while decomposition rate was measured using the litter bag method over three weeks of observation. Litter and understory accumulation were measured by destructive sampling of litter fractions. Growth-condition assessment showed that the heterogeneous stands (HKL, HKR) had a multi-layered canopy with high inter-species variation in height, diameter, and crown width, whereas the homogeneous stands contrasted sharply: the sengon stand (SK) attained the greatest height with a moderately open crown, while the rubber stand (KK) had the smallest stature and the narrowest crown width, reflecting its intensively managed plantation structure. Results showed that the decomposition rate was highest and most stable in HKR (1.84-1.00 g/day), while the lowest was found in KK (0.40-0.13 g/day). SK exhibited the fastest initial decomposition rate (2.38 g/day) that sharply declined afterward, and had the highest total litter accumulation (3.39 ton/ha), whereas HKR had the lowest accumulation (0.71 ton/ha). These patterns were closely associated with microclimatic conditions as well as the chemical quality of litter from each vegetation type. Overall, the heterogeneous ecosystem showed a more stable nutrient cycling dynamic compared to the homogeneous ecosystem. These findings imply that maintaining tree species diversity is important for sustaining soil fertility and the ecological function of campus forests.