Effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen fertilization pretreatments on decomposition on tallgrass prairie leaf litter

Standing dead and green foliage litter was collected in early November 1990 from Andropogon gerardii (C₄), Sorghastrum nutans (C₄), and Poa pratensis (C₃) plants that were grown in large open-top chambers under ambient or twice ambient CO₂ and with or without nitrogen fertilization (45 kg N ha⁻¹). The litter was placed in mesh bags on the soil surface of pristine prairie adjacent to the growth treatment plots and allowed to decay under natural conditions. Litter bags were retrieved at fixed intervals and litter was analyzed for mass loss, carbon chemistry, and total Kjeldahl nitrogen and phosphorus. The results indicate that growth treatments had a relatively minor effect on the initial chemical composition of the litter and its subsequent rate of decay or chemical composition. This suggests that a large indirect effect of CO₂ on surface litter decomposition in the tallgrass prairie would not occur by way of changes in chemistry of leaf litter. However, there was a large difference in characteristics of leaf litter decomposition among the species. Poa leaf litter had a different initial chemistry and decayed more rapidly than C₄ grasses. We conclude that an indirect effect of CO₂ on decomposition and nutrient cycling could occur if CO₂ induces changes in the relative aboveground biomass of the prairie species.     

模拟干旱和磷添加对热带低地雨林叶凋落物分解的影响

凋落物是植物在其生长发育过程中新陈代谢的产物,是土壤有机质输入的重要途径,凋落物分解是生态系统养分循环的关键过程之一。在全球气候变化背景下,热带地区干旱事件发生的频率和强度均在增加,同时,普遍认为热带地区受磷(P)限制,所以探讨干旱胁迫和土壤磷可用性对热带地区叶凋落物分解的影响及两者是否存在交互效应十分必要,有助于了解干旱对该区叶凋落物分解的影响机制以及是否受土壤磷调控。依据植物多度、碳固持类型、叶质地,以海南三亚甘什岭热带低地雨林的4个树种叶凋落物(铁凌 Hopea exalata、白茶树 Koilodepas bainanense、黑叶谷木 Memecylon nigrescens、山油柑 Acronychia pedunculata)为实验材料,依托2019年在该区建成的热带低地雨林模拟穿透雨减少、磷(P)添加双因素交互控制实验平台,包括干旱(D -50%穿透雨)、P添加(P +50Kg P hm^-2a^-1)、模拟干旱×P添加(DP -50%穿透雨×+50Kg P hm^-2a^-1)、对照(CK)4个处理,且4种处理随机分布于3个区组,即设置了3个重复。使用常规的凋落物分解袋法探究实验处理对4个树种叶凋落物的分解系数、碳(C)、氮(N)元素动态变化的影响。结果表明:不同树种的叶凋落物因基质质量不同分解存在差异。模拟干旱处理对叶凋落物C、N损失产生抑制作用,但是对不同树种叶凋落物的抑制作用不同,原因是干旱处理通过抑制土壤分解者活动、减弱凋落物的物理破碎作用,间接抑制凋落物分解,并且由于高质量(含N量高)凋落物受微生物分解者影响较大,所以该凋落物分解受干旱抑制程度较大;P添加处理对叶凋落物C损失存在促进作用、N损失存在抑制作用,原因是土壤中P含量的升高,提高了微生物分解高C物质的能力,以及当土壤中P含量较高时,间接抑制微生物通过分解凋落物获取养分或者促进微生物优先完成自身生长代谢需要而不是合成分解凋落物所需要的酶,导致叶凋落物N损失下降;模拟干旱与P添加处理存在显著交互效应,P添加处理缓解或反转了干旱胁迫对叶凋落物分解的抑制作用。以上结果表明,不同基质质量的凋落物分解存在差异,对干旱胁迫的响应不同;在叶凋落物分解过程中,P添加促进C损失、抑制N损失;此外,在热带低地雨林,土壤中P可用性变化可调节干旱对凋落物分解的影响。     

Greater accumulation of litter in spruce (Picea abies) compared to beech (Fagus sylvatica) stands is not a consequence of the inherent recalcitrance of needles

Background and aims

Replacement of beech by spruce is associated with changes in soil acidity, soil structure and humus form, which are commonly ascribed to the recalcitrance of spruce needles. It is of practical relevance to know how much beech must be admixed to pure spruce stands in order to increase litter decomposition and associated nutrient cycling. We addressed the impact of tree species mixture within forest stands and within litter on mass loss and nutritional release from litter.

Methods

Litter decomposition was measured in three adjacent stands of pure spruce (Picea abies), mixed beech-spruce and pure beech (Fagus sylvatica) on three nutrient-rich sites and three nutrient-poor sites over a three-year period using the litterbag method (single species and mixed species bags).

Results

Mass loss of beech litter was not higher than mass loss of spruce litter. Mass loss and nutrient release were not affected by litter mixing. Litter decay indicated non-additive patterns, since similar remaining masses under pure beech (47%) and mixed beech-spruce (48%) were significantly lower than under pure spruce stands (67%). Release of the main components of the organic substance (C_org, N_tot, P, S, lignin) and associated K were related to mass loss, while release of other nutrients was not related to mass loss.

Conclusions

In contradiction to the widely held assumption of slow decomposition of spruce needles, we conclude that accumulation of litter in spruce stands is not caused by recalcitrance of spruce needles to decay; rather adverse environmental conditions in spruce stands retard decomposition. Mixed beech-spruce stands appear to be as effective as pure beech stands in counteracting these adverse conditions.     

Contrasting leaf phenology of woody species of dry tropical forest

We studied selected leaf traits [leaf area (LA), leaf water content (LWC), leaf fresh weight (LFW), leaf dry weight (LDW), specific leaf area (SLA) and chlorophyll content] of eight woody species (Shorea robusta, Buchanania lanzan, Diospyros melanoxylon, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Lannea coromandelica, Terminalia tomentosa, Holarrhena antidysenterica and Lantana camara) dominant at four sites in a dry tropical deciduous forest over complete two annual cycles (2008–2010). Our results showed that leaf traits varied across species (1.7–11.5 fold), months (1.2–1.5 fold) and sites (1.1–1.3 fold). However, leaf traits showed smaller variation between sites than between species. Leaf lifespan varied from 7 months (L. coromandelica) to 12 months (S. robusta). On the same sites, species differed in the length of deciduous period. The maximum LA, LDW, LFW and LWC were recorded for the semi-evergreen species, SLA for long-deciduous species and chlorophyll content for short-deciduous species, respectively. The coefficient of variation was maximum for LDW and minimum for chlorophyll content. Among the eight woody species, T. tomentosa exhibited the greatest LA, LDW, LFW and LWC. LA, LWC, LFW, LDW, SLA, LD, SD, MD & SE confirm.     

亚热带常绿阔叶林6个常见树种凋落叶在不同降雨期的分解特征

地处长江上游的四川盆地亚热带常绿阔叶林具有典型雨热同季的气候特点,季节性干湿交替可能显著影响凋落物分解,但迄今缺乏相应的报道。因此,采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了常绿阔叶林区最具代表性的马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)、香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)、红椿(Toona ciliata)、麻栎(Quercus acutissima)等6种凋落叶在第1年不同雨热季节的分解特征。结果表明,经历1a的分解,6种凋落叶质量残留率大小顺序依次为:红椿(27.90%)柳杉(41.39%)杉木(48.93%)麻栎(49.62%)马尾松(68.82%)香樟(72.23%),6种凋落叶在不同干湿季节质量损失差异显著(P0.05)。阔叶树种在旱季(MRS、SRS和WRS)的质量损失显著高于针叶树种。雨季(ERS和LRS)对6种凋落叶质量损失的贡献率(69.73%—89.68%)均明显大于旱季(10.32%—30.27%)。6种凋落叶在不同时期中质量损失速率差异显著(P0.05),且6种凋落叶在雨季的质量损失速率明显高于旱季。相关分析结果表明,凋落叶质量损失及其速率均与降雨量和温度呈极显著(P0.01)正相关关系。凋落叶质量损失与初始C、木质素含量及C/N、木质素/N极显著(P0.01)负相关,与N含量极显著(P0.01)正相关。这些结果表明亚热带地区森林凋落物分解的质量损失主要发生在雨季,雨季温湿度的改变可显著影响凋落物分解过程。     

Nitrogen addition stimulates forest litter decomposition and disrupts species interactions in Patagonia,Argentina

Nitrogen (N) deposition and biodiversity loss are important drivers of global change, with uncertain consequences for carbon (C) and nutrient turnover in terrestrial ecosystems. We evaluated the simultaneous effects of N deposition and plant diversity on litter decomposition within a temperate forest in Patagonia. We identified ‘tree triangles’ created by the intersection of three tree‐canopies that directly controlled micro‐environmental conditions on the forest floor, and combined it with an N addition treatment. Triangles were composed of one or three Nothofagus species (N. dombeyi, N. obliqua or N. nervosa). We placed litterbags containing litter of each of the Nothofagus species and litterbags containing a mixture of the three species within all triangles and assessed mass loss over 2 years. We used a standard litter type in all triangles to independently evaluate triangle effects on decomposition. N addition had strong and positive effects on decomposition with an average 46% increase in the decomposition constant. Litter species significantly differed in their response to N addition; litter with higher lignin content and lower labile C content had larger increase in decomposition due to fertilization. Also, N addition disrupted two types of species interactions that control decomposition. The affinity relation between litter and decomposers, that enhanced decomposition of home litter (‘home‐field advantage’) that was demonstrated to be significant for all three Nothofagus species, disappeared with N addition. Second, N addition modified litter species interactions, transforming neutral effects of litter mixtures to positive, nonadditive effects on mass loss. Finally, N addition stimulated N release from decomposing litter which was modulated by plant species effects. Together, these results suggest that N addition to unpolluted forests increases C loss, contrary to what has been observed for temperate forests in industrialized areas of the world, and that alterations in nutrient pools have effects on species interactions, including the elimination of affinity effects for decomposition.     

Interactions between Litter Lignin and Nitrogenitter Lignin and Soil Nitrogen Availability during Leaf Litter Decomposition in a Hawaiian Montane Forest

Previous work in a young Hawaiian forest has shown that nitrogen (N) limits aboveground net primary production (ANPP) more strongly than it does decomposition, despite low soil N availability. In this study, I determined whether (a) poor litter C quality (that is, high litter lignin) poses an overriding constraint on decomposition, preventing decomposers from responding to added N, or (b) high N levels inhibit lignin degradation, lessening the effects of added N on decomposition overall. I obtained leaf litter from one species, Metrosideros polymorpha, which dominates a range of sites in the Hawaiian Islands and whose litter lignin concentration declines with decreasing precipitation. Litter from three dry sites had lignin concentrations of 12% or less, whereas litter from two wet sites, including the study site, had lignin concentrations of more than 18%. This litter was deployed 2.5 years in a common site in control plots (receiving no added nutrients) and in N-fertilized plots. Nitrogen fertilization stimulated decomposition of the low-lignin litter types more than that of the high-lignin litter types. However, in contrast to results from temperate forests, N did not inhibit lignin decomposition. Rather, lignin decay increased with added N, suggesting that the small effect of N on decomposition at this site results from limitation of decomposition by poor C quality rather than from N inhibition of lignin decay. Even though ANPP is limited by N, decomposers are strongly limited by C quality. My results suggest that anthropogenic N deposition may increase leaf litter decomposition more in ecosystems characterized by low-lignin litter than in those characterized by high-lignin litter. Received 26 October 1999; accepted 2 June 2000.     

Decomposition of standing litter of the freshwater emergent macrophyte Juncus effusus

1. Standing dead plant litter of emergent macrophytes frequently constitutes a significant fraction of the detrital mass in many freshwater wetland and littoral habitats. Rates of leaf senescence and decomposition of the emergent macrophyte Juncus effusus were examined in a small freshwater wetland in central Alabama, U.S.A. Juncus effusus leaves in the initial stages of senescence were tagged in random plant tussocks and monitored periodically to determine in situ rates of leaf senescence and death. Fully senescent leaves were collected, placed in litter bags, and suspended above the sediments to simulate standing dead decay conditions. Litter bags were periodically retrieved over 2 years and analysed for weight loss, litter nutrient contents (N, P), associated fungal biomass and fungal taxa. 2. Senescence and death of J. effusus leaves proceeds from the leaf tip to the base at an exponential rate. The rate of senescence and death of leaf tissue increased with increasing temperatures. Plant litter decomposition was slow (k = 0.40 yr^–1), with 49% weight loss observed in 2 years. Both the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration (%) of litter increased during decomposition. However, the total amount of nitrogen (mg) in litter bags remained stable and phosphorus increased slightly during the study period. 3. Fungal biomass associated with plant litter, as measured by ergosterol concentrations, varied between 3 and 8% of the total detrital weight. Values were not significantly different among sampling dates (P > 0.05, ANOVA, Tukey). Fungi frequently identified on decaying litter were Drechslera sp., Conioscypha lignicola (Hyphomycetes), Phoma spp. (Coelomycetes), Panellus copelandii and Marasmiellus sp. (Basidiomycota). 4. These results support previous findings that plant litter of emergent macrophytes does not require submergence or collapse to the sediment surface to initiate microbial colonization and litter decomposition.     

Decomposition of woody branch litter on an altitudinal transect in the Himalaya

Decomposition of branch litter of four angiosperm and one conifer species was studied over a two-year period. Litter species and the corresponding forest type are: (i) Shorea robusta, sal forest at 329 m; (ii) Lyonia ovalifolia, mixed-pine broadleaf forest at 1 350 m; (iii) Pinus roxburghii, pine forest at 1 750 m; (iv) Quercus leucotrichophora, mixed oak-pine forest at 1 850 m; and (v) Quercus lanuginosa, mixed oak forest at 2 150 m. The weight loss ranged from 44–89%. Litter moisture and air temperature had significant positive effect on decomposition. The decomposition rate decreased with an increase in altitude and was inversely related with lignin content. Linear combinations of lignin content with rainfall and with temperature indicated significant interactive influence on decomposition.Authorities for plant names are given in Table 1.We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.     

鄱阳湖湿地优势植物枯落物的分解速率及碳、氮、磷释放动态特征

植物枯落物分解对生态系统碳通量和养分循环有至关重要的作用,这一过程主要由3个相互作用的因素决定,即化学（枯落物理化特性）、物理（气候和环境）以及生物（参与枯落物分解的微生物和无脊椎动物）因素。在气候和立地环境条件相同的情况下,枯落物质量是制约分解的内在因素。在鄱阳湖湿地开展了野外定位观测实验,采用分解袋技术研究了鄱阳湖湿地优势植物芦苇（Phragmite）、南荻（Triarrhena lutarioriparia）和薹草（Carex.cinerascens Kükenth）枯落物分解速率及碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）元素释放动态特的征差异性。结果表明,在0-150 d内三种植物枯落物的干物质分解速率和残留率以及碳相对归还指数（CRRI）、氮相对归还指数（NRRI）、磷相对归还指数（PRRI）差异性都极其显著。在0-150 d内分解速率都是芦苇的最大,薹草的次之,南荻最小。分解进行150 d后,芦苇、南荻和薹草枯落物干物质残留率依次约为56.57%、67.99%和60.88%,CRRI依次约为57.44%、34.58%和41.75%,NRRI依次约为50.71%、-22.66%、和23.18%,PRRI依次约为88.91%、79.27%和85.63%。用Olson负指数衰减模型拟合方程预测芦苇、南荻、薹草枯落物分解完成50%所需的时间大约依次为184 d、249 d和210 d,分解完成95%所需的时间依次为795 d、1078 d和908 d。芦苇和薹草枯落物碳、氮和磷在分解过程中都表现出净释放模式,而南荻枯落物的碳和磷也一直表现为净释放模式,但是氮一直表现为净积累模式。芦苇分解过程中的营养释放作用最强,而南荻群落对氮的吸收和富集效应最强。研究表明植物种类及基质物质量对枯落物分解及其养分释放有很强的调控作用。今后的研究应考虑不同物种枯落物混合时的分解过程以及分解过程中的微生物因素,以便能揭示植物群落物种多样性及微生物活动在湿地生物地球化学循环中的调控作用机制,以期为鄱阳湖湿地碳、氮和磷的生物地球化学循环提供更新的认识,为鄱阳湖湿地的科学管理、保护与恢复提供科学依据。     

荒漠草原4种典型植物群落枯落物分解速率及影响因素

测定荒漠草原甘草、赖草、蒙古冰草以及黑沙蒿等植物群落枯落物分解过程中质量损失量分析荒漠草原枯落物分解速,同时通过枯落物自身化学成份、含水率的测定,结合气候因子进行偏相关分析,探讨荒漠草原枯落物分解的影响因素。结果表明:荒漠草原4种植物群落枯落物的质量累积损失率随分解时间的延长而增加,但枯落物分解的质量损失量与时间并不呈线性相关;4种群落枯落物质量损失量大小依次均为:甘草群落赖草群落蒙古冰草群落黑沙蒿群落;荒漠草原枯落物分解采用单指数衰减的Olson模型拟合效果较好,4种植物群落中甘草群落枯落物分解最快,黑沙蒿群落分解最慢;蒙古冰草、赖草和甘草群落枯落物中N、P、K的含量显著高于黑沙蒿群落,但是C、木质素、纤维素、C/N、木质素/N和纤维素/N值则显著低于黑沙蒿群落枯落物,蒙古冰草群落、甘草群落、赖草群落和黑沙蒿群落4种群落枯落物分解速率(k)与枯落物初始N、P、K含量均呈显著正相关;偏相关分析表明,4种植物群落枯落物分解速率与降雨量、枯落物自身含水量的偏相关系数达显著水平,其余因子偏相关系数均未达显著水平。结合上述研究可以确定荒漠草原枯落物分解50%所需时间为2—5a,分解95%需8—24a。     

Decomposition and nutrient release patterns of mistletoe litters in a semi‐arid savanna,southwest Zimbabwe

Nutrient loss from litter plays an essential role in carbon and nutrient cycling in nutrient‐constrained environments. However, the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of nutrient‐rich mistletoe litter remains unknown in semi‐arid savanna where productivity is nutrient limited. We studied the decomposition and nutrient dynamics (nitrogen: N, phosphorous; P, carbon: C) of litter of three mistletoe species, Erianthemum ngamicum, Plicosepalus kalachariensis, and Viscum verrucosum and N‐fixing Acacia karroo using the litter‐bag method in a semi‐arid savanna, southwest Zimbabwe. The temporal dynamics of the soil moisture content, microbial populations, and termite activity during decomposition were also assessed. Decay rates were slower for A. karroo litter (k = 0.63), but faster for the high quality mistletoe litters (mean k‐value = 0.79), which supports the premise that mistletoes can substantially influence nutrient availability to other plants. Nitrogen loss was between 1.3 and 3 times greater in E. ngamicum litter than in the other species. The litter of the mistletoes also lost C and P faster than A. karroo litter. However, soil moisture content and bacterial and fungal colony numbers changed in an opposite direction to changes in the decomposition rate. Additionally, there was little evidence of termite activity during the decay of all the species litters. This suggests that other factors such as photodegradation could be important in litter decomposition in semi‐arid savanna. In conclusion, the higher rate of decay and nutrient release of mistletoe than A. karroo litter indicate that mistletoes play an important role in carbon and nutrient fluxes in semi‐arid savanna.     

Litter quality and nutrient cycling affected by grazing-induced species replacements along a precipitation gradient

One of the potential mechanisms for the impact of herbivores on nutrient cycling is the effect of selective grazing on litter quality through changes in species composition. However, the scarce evidence collected on this mechanism is controversial and seemingly influenced by site-specific variables. In this paper, we explored the consequences of grazing-induced changes in species composition on litter quality and nitrogen cycling with a regional perspective. Along a 900-mm of mean annual rainfall gradient, we selected species promoted and diminished by grazing from three natural rangelands of Argentina, analyzed their litter quality, and determined their decomposition and nutrient release kinetics under common greenhouse conditions. Litter quality and decomposition rates were strongly associated with plant response to grazing. However, the magnitude and direction of these differences depended on the ecosystem considered. In the wettest site, the species promoted by grazing (forbs) had higher nitrogen and phosphorus contents, faster decomposition rates, and higher release of nitrogen to the soil than species diminished by grazing (C₃ and C₄ grasses). In the intermediate and dry sites, species promoted by grazing had lower nitrogen and phosphorus contents, and slower decomposition rates than those diminished by grazing (C₃ grasses in both cases). Decomposition of the entire group of species was not correlated with mean annual rainfall, but when litter of the species diminished by grazing was analyzed, it was negatively correlated with precipitation. Nitrogen was immobilized more often than mineralized, even after one year of incubation. Immobilization was negatively correlated with precipitation. All these results indicate that grazing may significantly alter nutrient cycling by affecting litter quality through changes in species composition. These effects seem to be larger when species replacements induced by grazing either involve functional groups, as it was the case in our wettest site, or change root to shoot ratios. Therefore, the functional groups involved in the replacement of species as well as shifts between belowground and aboveground allocation should play a key role in grazing-induced changes on nitrogen cycling.     

Leaf litter production and decomposition in a poplar short-rotation coppice exposed to free air CO2 enrichment (POPFACE)

The capacity of forest ecosystems to sequester C in the soil relies on the net balance between litter production above, as well as, below ground, and decomposition processes. Nitrogen mineralization and its availability for plant growth and microbial activity often control the speed of both processes. Litter production, decomposition and N mineralization are strongly interdependent. Thus, their responses to global environmental changes (i.e. elevated CO₂, climate, N deposition, etc.) cannot be fully understood if they are studied in isolation. In the present experiment, we investigated litter fall, litter decomposition and N dynamics in decomposing litter of three Populus spp., in the second and third growing season of a short rotation coppice under FACE. Elevated CO₂ did not affect annual litter production but slightly retarded litter fall in the third growing season. In all species, elevated CO₂ lowered N concentration, resulting in a reduction of N input to the soil via litter fall, but did not affect lignin concentrations. Litter decomposition was studied in bags incubated in situ both in control and FACE plots. Litter lost between 15% and 18% of the original mass during the eight months of field incubation. On average, litter produced under elevated CO₂ attained higher residual mass than control litter. On the other end, when litter was incubated in FACE plots it exhibited higher decay rates. These responses were strongly species‐specific. All litter increased their N content during decomposition, indicating immobilization of N from external sources. Independent of the initial quality, litter incubated on FACE soils immobilized less N, possibly as a result of lower N availability in the soil. Indeed, our results refer to a short‐term decomposition experiment. However, according to a longer‐term model extrapolation of our results, we anticipate that in Mediterranean climate, under elevated atmospheric CO₂, soil organic C pool of forest ecosystems may initially display faster turnover, but soil N availability will eventually limit the process.     

Litter composition rather than plant presence affects decomposition of tropical litter mixtures

Litter decomposition is strongly controlled by litter quality, but the composition of litter mixtures and potential interactions with live plants through root activity may also influence decomposers. In a greenhouse experiment in French Guiana we studied the combined effects of the presence of tropical tree seedlings and of distinct litter composition on mass and nitrogen (N) loss from decomposing litter and on microbial biomass. Different litter mixtures decomposed for 435 days in pots filled with sand and containing an individual seedling from one of four different tree species. We found both additive and negative non-additive effects (NAE) of litter mixing on mass loss, whereas N loss showed negative and positive NAE of litter mixing. If litter from the two tree species, Platonia insignis and Goupia glabra were present, litter mixtures showed more positive and more negative NAE on N loss, respectively. Overall, decomposition, and in particular non-additive effects, were only weakly affected by the presence of tree seedlings. Litter mass loss weakly yet significantly decreased with increasing fine root biomass in presence of Goupia seedlings, but not in the presence of seedlings of any other tree species. Our results showed strong litter composition effects and also clear, mostly negative, non-additive effects on mass loss and N loss. Species identity of tree seedlings can modify litter decomposition, but these live plant effects remain quantitatively inferior to litter composition effects.     

Tree Species Effect on Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in Mediterranean Oak Forests Changes Over Time

Tree species can affect the decomposition process through the quality of their leaf fall and through the species-specific conditions that they generate in their environment. We compared the relative importance of these effects in a 2-year experiment. Litterbags containing leaf litter of the winter-deciduous Quercus canariensis, the evergreen Q. suber and mixed litter were incubated beneath distinct plant covers. We measured litter carbon loss, 9 macro- and micronutrients and 18 soil chemical, physical and biological parameters of the incubation environment. Tree species affected decay dynamics through their litter quality and, to a lesser extent, through the induced environmental conditions. The deciduous litter showed a faster initial decomposition but left a larger fraction of slow decomposable biomass compared with the perennial litter; in contrast the deciduous environment impeded early decomposition while promoting further carbon loss in the latter decay stages. The interaction of these effects led to a negative litter–environment interaction contradicting the home-field advantage hypothesis. Leaf litter N, Ca and Mn as well as soil N, P and soil moisture were the best predictors for decomposition rates. Litter N and Ca exerted counteractive effects in early versus late decay stages; Mn was the best predictor for the decomposition limit value, that is, the fraction of slowly decomposable biomass at the later stage of decomposition; P and soil moisture showed a constant and positive relation with carbon loss. The deciduous oak litter had a higher initial nutrient content and released its nutrients faster and in a higher proportion than the perennial oak litter, significantly increasing soil fertility beneath its canopy. Our findings provide further insights into the factors that control the early and late stages of the decomposition process and reveal potential mechanisms underlying tree species influence on litter decay rate, carbon accumulation and nutrient cycling.     

Potential macro-detritivore range expansion into the subarctic stimulates litter decomposition: a new positive feedback mechanism to climate change?

As a result of low decomposition rates, high-latitude ecosystems store large amounts of carbon. Litter decomposition in these ecosystems is constrained by harsh abiotic conditions, but also by the absence of macro-detritivores. We have studied the potential effects of their climate change-driven northward range expansion on the decomposition of two contrasting subarctic litter types. Litter of Alnus incana and Betula pubescens was incubated in microcosms together with monocultures and all possible combinations of three functionally different macro-detritivores (the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus, isopod Oniscus asellus, and millipede Julus scandinavius). Our results show that these macro-detritivores stimulated decomposition, especially of the high-quality A. incana litter and that the macro-detritivores tested differed in their decomposition-stimulating effects, with earthworms having the largest influence. Decomposition processes increased with increasing number of macro-detritivore species, and positive net diveristy effects occurred in several macro-detritivore treatments. However, after correction for macro-detritivore biomass, all interspecific differences in macro-detritivore effects, as well as the positive effects of species number on subarctic litter decomposition disappeared. The net diversity effects also appeared to be driven by variation in biomass, with a possible exception of net diversity effects in mass loss. Based on these results, we conclude that the expected climate change-induced range expansion of macro-detritivores into subarctic regions is likely to result in accelerated decomposition rates. Our results also indicate that the magnitude of macro-detritivore effects on subarctic decomposition will mainly depend on macro-detritivore biomass, rather than on macro-detritivore species number or identity.     

Monopolization of litter processing by a dominant land crab on a tropical oceanic island

Litter processing by macroinvertebrates typically involves suites of species that act together to determine rates of breakdown and decomposition. However, tropical oceanic islands and coastal fringes on continents are often dominated by one or a few species of omnivorous land crabs that consume leaf litter. We used an exclusion experiment, together with other leaf removal and litter decomposition studies, to assess the role of a single dominant species, the red crab (Gecarcoidea natalis), in litter dynamics in rain forest on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. In the presence of red crabs, litter cover and biomass varied seasonally, from almost complete cover and high biomass at the end of the dry season to almost total absence of litter at the end of each wet season. When crabs were excluded from both the shaded understory and light gaps in rain forest, litter increased rapidly to almost complete cover, which was then maintained year round. Leaf tether experiments, and measures of litter input and standing crops, indicated that red crabs monopolize litter processing, removing between 39 and 87% of the annual leaf fall from the forest floor. Rates of litter turnover were over twice as high in the presence of land crabs: the decomposition constant, k, was 2.6 in the understory exclusion plots, but rose to 6.0 in the presence of crabs. Red crabs occur at biomass densities (114 g m⁻²) far greater than those reported elsewhere for entire litter faunas. They significantly reduced the abundance of other litter invertebrates, but we did not detect any change in the relative frequencies of the major invertebrate groups (mites, collembolans, pulmonate snails, ants, psocopterans, and spiders). Wherever omnivorous land crabs are abundant, their activities may be paramount in litter decomposition and in regulating the rate of nutrient cycling. In monopolizing litter processing, they may also be important physical “ecosystem engineers”, translocating organic matter and nutrients into the soil and reducing available habitat for other animals. Received: 19 August 1998 / Accepted: 11 January 1999     

Litter Decomposition Within the Canopy and Forest Floor of Three Tree Species in a Tropical Lowland Rain forest,Costa Rica

The rain forest canopy hosts a large percentage of the world's plant biodiversity, which is maintained, in large part, by internal nutrient cycling. This is the first study to examine the effects of site (canopy, forest floor) and tree species (Dipteryx panamensis, Lecythis ampla, Hyeronima alchorneoides) on decay rates of a common substrate and in situ leaf litter in a tropical forest in Costa Rica. Decay rates were slower for both substrates within the canopy than on the forest floor. The slower rate of mass loss of the common substrate in the canopy was due to differences in microclimate between sites. Canopy litter decay rates were negatively correlated with litter lignin:P ratios, while forest floor decay rates were negatively correlated with lignin concentrations, indicating that the control of litter decay rates in the canopy is P availability while that of the forest floor is carbon quality. The slower cycling rates within the canopy are consistent with lower foliar nutrient concentrations of epiphytes compared with forest floor-rooted plants. Litter decay rates, but not common substrate decay rates, varied among tree species. The lack of variation in common substrate decay among tree species eliminated microclimatic variation as a possible cause for differences in litter decay and points to variation in litter quality, nutrient availability and decomposer community of tree species as the causal factors. The host tree contribution to canopy nutrient cycling via litter quality and inputs may influence the quality and quantity of canopy soil resources.     

Effects of litter size and quality on processing by decomposers in a tropical savannah stream

Litter fragment size and quality can have profound effects on ecosystem functioning and global biogeochemical cycling due to differential utilization by decomposers. Here we study the influence of these factors on decomposers from two guilds found in a tropical savannah stream: invertebrate shredders of the genus Phylloicus and microorganisms. Containers (16 × 16 × 12 cm, ~ 3L) with either Phylloicus (cases removed; N = 16) or stream water containing microorganisms (N = 16) were supplied with litter from the species Inga laurina, Maprounea guianensis, and Richeria grandis, and cut into disks of 18.7, 13.2, and 8.1 mm in diameter (3 sizes × 3 species = 9 disks per container). Relative decomposition was greater for smaller leaf disks and disks of higher quality in microbial‐only cultures. Phylloicus preferentially harvested large fragments for case building, also preferring the leaves of M. guianensis and R. grandis, likely due increased robustness for case formation. Microbial decomposition resulted in ~20% litter mass loss compared to 30% in Phylloicus (of which 8% was used for case building and 24% for food). Thus, changes to input litter size, such as a decrease in leaf size after drought, may alter microbial decomposition and potentially affect shredder populations by limiting the availability of casing material.