Litter production and decomposition rate were studied in 1 ha of hillside atlantic forest (60? inclination and 140m high) located at Guarujá (24º 16' S; 46º 19' W) of São Paulo State from 2.8.85 to 10.8.86. This area have not a defined dry season and the annual average rainfall is 2050 mm. The soil is classified as acidic and clay-sand with pH 3.0-4.0. The annual litter production was estimated at 7925 kg/ha: comprising leaves fraction contributing with 5040 kg/ha, followed by branches (1950 kg/ha), flowers (491 kg/ha), fruits (222 kg/ha) and animal products (222 kg/ha). All fractions were produced during all over the year, without any detectable seazonal pattern. The decomposition constant (k) was estimated for steady-state conditions (0,72) and also utilizing the percentage of remaining weight of foliar fraction (0,83). The time necessary for 50% of the litter decomposition was 350 days.
Litterfall; decomposition; Coastal Rain Forest