Balancing litterfall and decomposition in cacao agroforestry systems

Abstract Backgrounds and aims Litter protects the underlying soil, depending on litterfall decomposition, but dynamics of standing litter stock in agroforestry systems remain poorly understood. We aimed to unravel effects quality, temporal patterns, microclimate, a possible home-field advantage (HFA) across land-use gradient. Methods quantified litterfall, stock, microclimate during year (remnant) forest, cacao-based simple complex agroforestry, cacao monocultures, annual crops producing area Indonesia. conducted reciprocal transfer experiment, tested decomposition rates pruning residues. Standing stocks were estimated from monthly rates. Results Variation quality influenced more strongly than variation or HFA. Lower monoculture decreased decay rate compared systems; mean residence time was over year. Mixing high- low-quality material residues modified rate, soil C N changes, offering options for targeted management protection nutrient release. Conclusions The seasonal patterns relatively slow supported permanence layer all production systems, protecting soil.