Litterfall Production and Species Composition of Forest Types in Cambodia

Litterfall production and species composition are critical factors in regulating forest ecosystem functions, particularly carbon storage and cycling. This study analyzed litterfall production, seasonality, mass, and carbon content across different forest types and locations in Cambodia. The study was conducted from January to December 2020 in four regions: Tamao Mountain Wildlife Zoo, Mondulkiri, Siem Reap, and the Russey Chrum forest community in Koh Kong, focusing on evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous forests. The dominant species identified at each site were Vatica philastreana, Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, and Parinari annamensis (Tamao); Shorea obtusa, Xylia xylocarpa, and Terminalia alata (Mondulkiri); Streblus asper, Dipterocarpus alatus, and Cleistanthus tomentosus (Siem Reap); and Pternandra caerulescens, Shorea siamensis, and Syzygium lineatum (Koh Kong). Litterfall production varied significantly among forest types, with evergreen forests producing 21,035 kg/ha, semi-evergreen forests 8,662 kg/ha, and deciduous forests 7,059 kg/ha. These findings highlight the variability in litterfall production and species composition across forest types and emphasize their role in forest carbon cycling. Further research is recommended to explore seasonal dynamics and their implications for carbon management strategies.