Plant lifeform composition and amounts of nutrients accumulated byfallows aged 1, 2 and 3 yr under shifting (milpa) cultivation in Belize were measured. N, P and K allocated to leaves rapidly reached a plateau in 1-yr-old fallows with little increase in 2-and 3-yr-old sites. In stem material, K was accumulated rapidly, with little increase after the 1st yr of fallow growth, while N and P accumulation proceeded at steady rates during 3 yr of fallow development. Total biomass in 3-yr-old fallows averaged 2070 g/m2 with 10.3 g/m2N, 0.73 g/m2 P and 13.2 g/m2 K. Nutrient concn. in early successional species were higher than in species of later successional status, suggesting different strategies for nutrient utilization. Woody lifeforms dominated the fallow vegetation, accounting for 80 percent of total biomass in 1st yr fallows and eliminating herbaceous species after 2 and 3 yr of fallow growth. The importance of rapid recovery of woody species is discussed as it relates to fallow management and weed control