Seasonal variation in leaf litter nutrient concentrations of Valdivian rainforest trees

Lusk, C. H.; Matus, F.; Moreno Chacon, M.; Saldana, A.; Jimenez Castillo, M.

Resorption of nutrients from senescing tissues is an important aspect of the nutrient economy of perennial plants, and a major influence on ecosystem nutrient dynamics. Attempts to interpret the adaptive significance of variation in nutrient resorption efficiency have met with little success, leading some scientists to emphasize the need for more work on the biochemical and physiological basis of resorption.