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Abstract
Litter decomposition dynamics of three Mediterranean riverine species [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn, Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl., and Populus x hybrida] was studied in a 2‐year experiment in the province of Guadalajara (Spain) using the litterbag technique. Decay rates of the litter were estimated by fitting a single exponential model to the litter decomposition data. At the end of the experiment (after 485 days), the remaining litter necromass varied in the following order: Populus x hybrida>Alnus glutinosa>Fraxinus angustifolia. Litter of the three species was fast degraded; ash litter was almost totally degraded at the end of the experiment. Alder had the highest concentrations of total nitrogen and ammonium in litter, and its pattern of degradation and release to the system was different to the other two litters. This could influence the soil nutrient contents in each system as was indicated by the soil nutrient values.