Matskási István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 96. (Budapest 2004)

Molnár, J., Erdei, B. ; Hably, L.: The transport of leaves and fruits - a taphonomical study of leaf litter

were set by each 1.5 m along a 40 m long transection of north-south direction. Similarly to the method applied at the first sample plot the total leaf content of the quadrats was investigated. The following spring each quadrat was shifted to the south with 0.75 m. Methods of analysis - Due to fragmentation of the leaves in both sampling periods only leaves identifiable clearly were taken for the study. The number of leaves of each species in both sample plots was plotted against distance along the transections. The leaf/fruit content of the quadrat set by 18 m in autumn (in spring by 18.75 m) was used to study the extent of representation of the arborescent taxa growing in a circle of 10 m radius, the species composition and number of specimens of the certain species represented. The height of the trees was measured in the same way as in the first sample plot, as well as, the softwares, Graph Pad Prism 3.00 (San Diego) and Syntax 2000, were used for the statistical analyses. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Sample plot I The great size of the samples (altogether 26,000 leaves and 12,000 fruits) assured precise results approximating well the actual conditions. The number of the leaves/fruits of A. platanoides, Tilia cordata MILLER, 1768 and Fraxinus ornus LINNAEUS, 1753 recorded in the quadrats was plotted against distance along the transections (Fig. 5) and in the case of Acer platanoides a contour figure was constructed from data with the indication of the spatial extensions of the leafy crown (Figs 6-7). Leaf and fruit distributions - The pattern of leaf and fruit distribution along the six transections corresponds well to that expected, i.e. leaves and fruits are distributed first of all around the parent tree (Fig. 5). The intact samaras of Acer platanoides mean a rather small part of all the fruits of Acer and except for the north direction they were found only close to the tree trunk, exclusively below the leafy crown (Figs 5-7). Along the north transection possibly due to wind transport intact fruits were found even 20 m far from the tree trunk. According to FERGUSON'S studies (1985) leaves with major axes of unequal length may rotate about their longer axis. Presumably, the halves of the disintegrated fruits rotate during their move thus, spend more time in the air and can get further than the intact ones. The number of leaves and fruits of Acer platanoides decreases directly around the tree trunk. Due to the irregular shape of the crown the maximum number of leaves and fruits is found in the east direction and not regularly around the tree (Figs 5-7). Based on the wind direction prevailing during leaf/fruit fall a distribution distorted to the north-north-west was expected. At the same time the contour lines of the quadrats having low number of leaves and fruits were distorted and shifted in the north-north-west direction. This