Abstract:To understand the characteristics of litterfall production and nutrient return in Wuyi Mountain forests, the litterfall production amount and nutrient return of three typical forests with different elevations were surveyed continuously for three years. The results showed that annual litterfall productions were 471.25, 453.77 and 409.84 g/m2 in the evergreen broad-leaved forest (645 m), coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest (1 028 m) and coniferous forest (1 442 m), respectively. Litterfall productions of three typical forests decreased along with the altitude. There were obvious seasonal changes in litterfall production of three typical forests with a bimodal pattern, which the occurrence time of peak and secondary peak in evergreen broad-leaved forest was approximately opposite to those in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest and coniferous forest. Among litterfalls, the leaves were dominant in three typical forests, accounting for 78.11%-87.55%, while twig and others were less. The total annual nutrient return from litterfall in three forests was C > N > K > P, and the total nutrient return was decreased along with the altitude. The amount of litterfall and nutrient return were high in the evergreen broad-leaved forest which might be related to environment conditions and vegetation traits. Therefore, these would provide the theoretical basis on researches in nutrient and carbon cycle in the subtropical forest ecosystem.