Litter and fine root dynamics of a relict sacred grove forest at Cherrapunji in north-eastern India

In a sacred grove climax forest (protected by the local Khasi tribe for religious reasons) at Cherrapunji in north-eastern India (mean annual rainfall, 10 372 mm), litter dynamics and related fine root dynamics were studied. Litterfall and its decomposition were very pronounced during the monsoon season, unlike in other rain forests in the region. High levels of nitrogen (2.13–3.58%) phosphorus (0.62–0.91%) and potassium (1.45–1.98%) in the leaf litter of four dominant tree species— Englehardtia spicata Bl., Echinocarpus dasycarpus Benth, Sysygium cuminii (L.) Skeels and Drimycarpus racemosus Hk.f.—suggest that these species help in conserving nutrient elements, thus ensuring their rapid recycling. Different species have different nutrient release patterns which are related to litter quality and seasonal environmental factors. The highly developed fine root system (14 000 kg ha −1) of which about 48% is located in the 0–10 cm soil depth, is important for nutrient storage and rapid recycling of nutrients. With a productivity of 3200 kg ha −1 per year, the fine root component of the climax sacred grove ecosystem has a key role to play in tight nutrient cycling. It is concluded that these results are important in understanding the fragility of rainforest ecosystems and their management.