Litterfall collected from LTTG Sites (1 meter litter trays): 1967 - Present

Litter is measured within 20 x 20 m plots at LTTG research sites representing aspen, birch, black spruce, and white spruce forest types. There are 15 LTTG research sites currently monitored for litterfall and 8 additional sites where litterfall data was collected but the are no longer active. Three litter trays are placed randomly within each of the plots . Litter trays are 1 m x 1 m wooden frames constructed of 1" x 4" boards with fine screen stapled to the bottom side. Litter is collected in the spring as soon after snowmelt as possible (usually in May). Secondary growth (wood) material is separated from all other plant litter (leaf, flowers, bracts, etc.) and placed in labeled paper bags separately by tray. Litter collections are removed to the lab and dried in ovens at 65 deg C for at least 48 hours. Each sample is then weighed to the nearest 0.1 grams.