凋落物分解主场效应及其土壤生物驱动

凋落物分解主场效应是指凋落物具有在其生长的栖息地比在别的生境分解更快的特征,土壤生物的特化作用被认为是主场效应的产生机理.主场效应是除基质质量和物理化学环境外控制凋落物分解的重要因子,可影响模拟精度的8％.凋落物分解主场效应驱动机制的深入研究对促进分解模型中纳入生物因子,提高区域尺度模拟精度具有重要作用.虽然时间和基质质量可导致主场效应强度变化,但不能全面解释主场效应强度差异特别是负效应的产生.通过分析凋落物分解过程中土壤生物的作用机理,指出凋落物分解主场效应的土壤生物驱动可能包括土壤微生物的调节性适应,土壤动物的后期插入以及物理化学环境的间接影响.为深入了解主场效应土壤生物驱动机制,更好地模拟凋落物分解过程,提出延长凋落物分解交互移置实验时间,拓展实验空间,结合室内模拟分析和构建分解模型等方法与途径.     

全球环境变化对森林凋落物分解的影响

全球环境变化将对森林生态系统凋落物的分解和养分循环产生直接和间接的多重影响.就全球环境变化如全球变暖、大气CO2浓度升高、UV-B辐射增强、氮沉降等对凋落物分解影响的研究进展进行了综合述评.影响凋落物分解的内部因素为凋落物基质质量,外部因素包括生物因素(微生物和动物)和非生物因素(温度、水分和土壤性质等).全球变暖对凋落物分解的非生物作用有正效应,也有负效应.全球变暖对凋落物化学组成虽然只有轻微的影响,但可以通过影响植被的物种组成来间接改变凋落物的产量、化学性质和分解.全球变暖对凋落物分解生物作用的主要影响是增强土壤微生物活性,从而加速凋落物的分解.CO2浓度上升将增加凋落物产量,并通过影响凋落物质量(提高C/N比、木质素/N比等)和生物环境(微生物的数量和活性)而影响分解过程.UV-B辐射和大气N沉降的增加亦对凋落物分解产生直接和间接的影响,但影响效果尚不很清楚,有待进一步的研究.总起来看,全球环境变化将通过影响凋落物的分解速率而对全球碳循环产生重要影响,但由于气候变化和凋落物分解响应的复杂性以及各因子之间的相互作用,气候变化对凋落物分解的总效应尚需更深入的研究来定量化.     

凋落物分解对土壤生物的影响

凋落物分解是生态系统物质循环和能量流动的重要环节,而土壤生物是凋落物分解的主要完成者.大量研究分析了土壤生物在凋落物分解中的作用,然而有关凋落物分解对土壤生物影响的研究则相对较少,致使我们对凋落物分解和土壤生物的相互作用了解依然不够深入.本文综述了凋落物对土壤微生物和土壤动物的影响,并进一步探讨了其影响机制.凋落物对土壤微生物的影响与凋落物类型或组成、在土壤中的掩埋位置及其破碎化程度紧密相关;大多数研究表明凋落物对土壤动物群落结构有明显影响;凋落物对土壤生物的影响主要通过直接改变土壤生物的食源和生境.今后需要加强跨区域长期定位实验研究,注重整合研究凋落物分解和生态系统过程,深入研究凋落物分解与土壤生物的相互作用机制.     

陆地生态系统混合凋落物分解研究进展

凋落物分解在陆地生态系统养分循环与能量流动中具有重要作用,是碳、氮及其他重要矿质养分在生态系统生命组分间循环与平衡的核心生态过程。自然生态系统中,植物群落大多具有较高的物种丰富度和多样性,其混合凋落物在分解过程中也更有可能发生养分传递、化学抑制等种间互作,形成多样化的分解生境,多样性较高的分解者类群以及复杂的级联效应分解,这些因素和过程均对研究混合凋落物分解过程、揭示其内在机制形成了极大的挑战。从构成混合凋落物物种丰富度和多样性对分解生境、分解者多样性及其营养级联效应的影响等方面,综合阐述混合凋落物对陆地生态系统凋落物分解的影响,探讨生物多样性在凋落物分解中的作用。通过综述近些年的研究发现,有超过60%的混合凋落物对其分解速率的影响存在正向或负向的效应。养分含量有差异的凋落物混合分解过程中,分解者优先利用高质量凋落物,使低质量的凋落物反而具有了较高的养分有效性,引起低质量凋落物分解加快并最终使混合凋落物整体分解速率加快;而凋落物物种丰富度对土壤动物群落总多度有轻微的影响或几乎没有影响,但是对线虫和大型土壤动物的群落组成和多样性有显著影响,并随着分解阶段呈现一定动态变化;混合凋落物改变土壤微生物生存的理化环境,为微生物提供更多丰富的分解底物和养分,优化微生物种群数量和群落结构及其分泌酶的活性,并进一步促进了混合凋落物的分解。这些基于植物-土壤-分解者系统的动态分解过程的研究,表明混合凋落物分解作用不只是经由凋落物自身质量的改变,更会通过逐级影响分解者多样性水平而进一步改变分解速率和养分释放动态,说明生物多样性确实在一定程度上调控凋落物分解及其养分释放过程。     

土壤动物对森林凋落物分解的影响:机制和模拟

土壤动物是森林生态系统的重要组成部分。本文综述了土壤动物在不同森林生态系统中对凋落物分解过程的贡献大小及影响因素、土壤动物影响凋落物分解的作用机制以及凋落物分解模型的研究进展,以期为更好地理解森林生态系统中土壤动物在地上、地下生态过程中的作用。我们试图建立一个概念模型来模拟土壤动物在凋落物分解过程中的贡献。土壤动物可以通过直接作用于凋落物(包括移动、破碎、取食等),或间接作用于土壤(穿梭、掘穴等影响凋落物分解微环境)和微生物(影响定殖于凋落物中的微生物群落种类、数量和活性)影响凋落物的分解过程。温度和水分条件是影响土壤动物活动的重要因素,普遍认为热带森林中的土壤动物作用要大于亚热带森林、温带森林和高山/亚高山森林。未来该领域的研究应注重如何在凋落物分解模型中体现土壤动物的作用机制以及利用野外实验数据量化土壤动物对凋落物分解过程的贡献等。     

冀北辽河源自然保护区土壤微生物碳代谢特征对凋落物分解主场效应的响应

通过凋落物袋法研究了冀北辽河源地区表层0～5、5～10和10～20 cm土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物呼吸速率和微生物代谢熵对白桦及蒙古栎叶凋落物分解主场效应的响应过程.结果表明： 主场白桦及蒙古栎凋落物处理土壤微生物生物量碳显著高于客场;而土壤微生物呼吸则差异不显著.土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物呼吸对不同植物凋落物分解主场效应的响应程度也不一致.客场蒙古栎叶凋落物处理各土层土壤微生物生物量碳相比主场降低了39.6%、34.9%、33.5%;白桦凋落物则降低了31.6%、27.1%、17.0%.客场蒙古栎凋落物微生物呼吸分别为主场的96.3%、92.4%、83.7%,白桦凋落物为99.4%、97.3%、101.3%.微生物代谢熵则呈现出与微生物生物量碳相反的变化趋势.植物凋落物在主场分解速率较快,可供微生物利用的养分较多,促进了土壤微生物的活动,且土壤中丰富的有机质削弱了植物摄取与微生物需求之间的矛盾,进而导致土壤微生物生物量碳及微生物代谢熵对叶凋落物分解主场效应产生了明显的响应.而土壤微生物呼吸由于受到林地内土壤温度、含水率以及二者共同作用的影响,对主场效应表现出了微弱的响应.此外,由于低质量凋落物会表现出更强的主场效应,从而使土壤微生物生物量碳、微生物呼吸及微生物代谢熵对白桦叶凋落物分解主场效应的响应程度低于蒙古栎凋落物.     

降水变化和氮沉降影响森林叶根凋落物分解研究进展

全球环境变化通过改变凋落物质量和产量、土壤生物以及非生物因子调控森林凋落物分解，从而对森林生态系统物质和能量循环产生重要的影响。就森林凋落物分解对当前我国面临降水格局变化和大气氮沉降增加的响应进行了回顾和系统的分析，发现降水格局改变如降水减少可能降低凋落物质量从而减缓凋落物分解，而氮沉降增加通常提高凋落物质量从而促进凋落物分解（间接效应）；降水格局改变通过调节土壤含水量和溶解氧含量进而影响微生物参与的分解过程，或通过改变可溶性组分的淋溶量来影响凋落物分解的物理过程，而氮沉降增加主要通过提高外源氮素的有效性从而促进或抑制微生物参与的分解过程（直接效应）。现有研究大多是基于地上凋落物（例如叶凋落物）来理解和量化森林凋落物分解速率与环境因子之间的关系。但目前对降水格局变化及其与大气氮沉降增加的交互作用如何影响森林地上和地下凋落物分解，以及潜在的微生物学机制仍然缺乏统一和清晰的认识。从土壤性质、凋落物质量、微生物群落结构和功能3个方面构建了环境变化对森林地上和地下凋落物分解的概念框架，并进一步阐述未来研究的重点方向：（1）亟需查明地上和地下凋落物分解的驱动机制；（2）探明降水格局变化和氮添加单因子及两因子交互作用对凋落物分解和养分释放的影响及其生物化学调控机理；（3）阐明微生物群落结构和功能对降水格局变化和氮添加单因子及两因子交互的响应机制。以期为深入探讨全球环境变化对森林凋落物分解的影响，以及环境胁迫下森林土壤"碳库"维持机制的解释提供科学依据。     

森林凋落物的微生物分解

森林凋落物的分解是森林生态系统中物质循环和能量流动的一个重要环节,而微生物在这一过程中起着重要作用。本文系统介绍了森林凋落物微生物分解的过程及其生态学意义,并从参与凋落物分解的微生物多样性、凋落物分解过程中的微生物数量动态及群落演替、影响微生物分解的因素及微生物分解酶学等方面综述了森林凋落物的微生物分解研究概况,探讨了未来研究的方向。     

森林生态系统凋落物多样性对分解过程和土壤微生物特性影响研究进展

凋落物的分解过程是森林生态系统养分循环的关键环节, 也是林分内植被层可利用养分的重要来源。一般来说, 在自然生态系统中, 地上植被的种类越丰富, 其凋落物的多样性也越高, 多样化的凋落物在混合分解过程中存在的相互作用关系也更为复杂, 对其自身的分解过程、分解生境以及分解者群体也会产生重要影响。文章以凋落物的多样性为着眼点, 综述了凋落物的多样性对其分解过程以及对分解过程中最重要的分解者-土壤微生物特性所产生的影响, 重点阐述了凋落物多样性对分解过程中土壤微生物的生物量、群落结构、多样性以及分解活性的影响, 并对其可能的原因和潜在的机理进行了分析。综述结果表明, 较高的凋落物多样性总体上能够加速凋落物的分解, 提高分解过程中土壤微生物的生物量、多样性及分解活性。在此基础上, 对今后凋落物多样性在分解过程中的效应研究进行了展望, 为人工林可持续经营的混交林营造以及林下植被的科学管理提供理论依据。     

叶片凋落物分解的主场优势研究进展

凋落物在原生生境(“主场”)中比在非原生生境(“客场”)中分解得更快的现象被称为凋落物分解的“主场优势”。探究凋落物分解的主场优势的主要影响因素及驱动机制对预测植物养分的归还过程和生态系统碳收支有重要意义。该文主要从主场优势的计算方法、影响因素及驱动机制出发,综述了近年来凋落物分解的主场优势的研究进展,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。度量凋落物分解的主场优势有4种常见的计算方法,其中采用线性模型计算主场优势在当前最为合适。凋落物质量(化学成分等)、土壤微生物群落结构是影响凋落物分解的主场优势的主要因素,土壤动物、气候条件、分解时间、植物生活型及生长型也能改变主场优势的强度。凋落物之间质量差异越大,产生的主场优势越大。土壤微生物群落驱动着凋落物分解的主场优势,但其作用时常受到动物的干扰及气候的制约。此外,带有叶际微生物的凋落物比去除了叶际微生物的凋落物有更强的主场优势。凋落物化学性质趋同假说、分解者控制假说及凋落物质量与环境相互作用假说是解释主场优势产生的主要假说,但它们均有不足之处。该文认为凋落物和土壤微生物的协同作用可能是产生和驱动主场优势的主要机制。当前的研究存在着各因素对主场优势的...     

The interaction between abiotic photodegradation and microbial decomposition under ultraviolet radiation

Elevated ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been demonstrated to stimulate litter decomposition. Despite years of research, it is still not fully understood whether the acceleration in litter degradation is primarily attributed to abiotic photodegradation or the combined effects of abiotic photodegradation and microbial decomposition. In this study, we used meta‐analysis to synthesize photodegradation studies and compared the effects of UV radiation on litter decomposition between abiotic and biotic conditions. We also conducted a microcosm experiment to assess the effects of UV radiation on litter biodegradability and microbial activity. Overall, our meta‐analysis found that under abiotic photodegradation, UV radiation reduced the remaining litter mass by 1.44% (95% CI: 0.85% to 2.08%), did not affect the remaining lignin and increased the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration by 14.01% (1.49–23.67%). Under combined abiotic photodegradation and microbial decomposition, UV radiation reduced the remaining litter mass and lignin by 1.60% (0.04–3.58%) and 16.07% (9.27–24.23%), respectively, but did not alter DOC concentration. UV radiation had no significant impact on soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), but it reduced microbial respiration by 44.91% (2.26–78.62%) and altered the composition of the microbial community. In addition, UV radiation reduced nitrogen (N) immobilization by 19.44% (4.77–37.92%). Our microcosm experiment further indicated that DOC concentration and the amount of respired C in UV‐treated litter increased with UV exposure time, suggesting that longer UV exposure resulted in greater biodegradability. Overall, our study suggested that UV exposure could increase litter biodegradability by increasing the microbial accessibility of lignin, as well as the labile carbon supply to microbes. However, the remaining litter mass was not different between the abiotic and biotic conditions, most likely because the positive effect of UV radiation on litter biodegradability was offset by its negative effect on microbial activity. Our results also suggested that UV radiation could alter the N cycle during decomposition, primarily by inhibiting N immobilization.     

Effects of UV Exposure and Litter Position on Decomposition in a California Grassland

The importance of photodegradation in surface litter decomposition has recently been recognized in arid and semi-arid terrestrial ecosystems, yet its importance in decomposing dense litter and the mechanisms through which it acts remain unclear. We investigated how ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and litter position affected decomposition processes in a California annual grassland. In a split-plot design, we exposed Bromus diandrus litter to two levels of UV radiation (UV pass and UV block) at two aboveground locations (at the top, suspended above the litter layer, and at the bottom of the litter layer) for 1 year. We found that UV radiation increased the litter decay constant by 23% at the top location over 1 year, consistent with the occurrence of photodegradation. Surprisingly, UV radiation also increased the litter decay constant by 30% at the bottom location over 1 year. We speculate that photodegradation indirectly increased microbial decomposition through priming effects. Overall, litter in the top location had a 29% higher decay constant than litter in the bottom location. In terms of litter chemistry, exposure to UV radiation increased loss of hemicellulose by 26%, but not loss of lignin. Litter in the bottom location exhibited greater loss of the cell solubles fraction and greater nitrogen immobilization, but lower loss of hemicellulose than litter in the top location. Our results demonstrate that litter position significantly regulates the contribution of photodegradation to overall decomposition, both through direct (top location) and indirect (bottom location) effects. Therefore, better quantification of both direct and indirect effects of photodegradation can greatly improve understanding of biogeochemical cycling in grasslands.     

Shedding light on plant litter decomposition: advances, implications and new directions in understanding the role of photodegradation

Litter decomposition contributes to one of the largest fluxes of carbon (C) in the terrestrial biosphere and is a primary control on nutrient cycling. The inability of models using climate and litter chemistry to predict decomposition in dry environments has stimulated investigation of non-traditional drivers of decomposition, including photodegradation, the abiotic decomposition of organic matter via exposure to solar radiation. Recent work in this developing field shows that photodegradation may substantially influence terrestrial C fluxes, including abiotic production of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. Research has also produced contradictory results regarding controls on photodegradation. Here we summarize the state of knowledge about the role of photodegradation in litter decomposition and C cycling and investigate drivers of photodegradation across experiments using a meta-analysis. Overall, increasing litter exposure to solar radiation increased mass loss by 23% with large variation in photodegradation rates among and within ecosystems. This variation was tied to both litter and environmental characteristics. Photodegradation increased with litter C to nitrogen (N) ratio, but not with lignin content, suggesting that we do not yet fully understand the underlying mechanisms. Photodegradation also increased with factors that increased solar radiation exposure (latitude and litter area to mass ratio) and decreased with mean annual precipitation. The impact of photodegradation on C (and potentially N) cycling fundamentally reshapes our thinking of decomposition as a solely biological process and requires that we define the mechanisms driving photodegradation before we can accurately represent photodegradation in global C and N models.     

Litter Decomposition in a California Annual Grassland: Interactions Between Photodegradation and Litter Layer Thickness

In annual grasslands that experience a mediterranean-type climate, the synchrony between plant senescence and peak solar radiation over summer results in high litter sun exposure. We examined the decomposition of both shaded and sun-exposed litter over summer and inferred the effects of photodegradation from changes in mass loss and litter chemistry. The carry-over effects of summer litter exposure on wet season decomposition were also assessed, and the attenuation of photodegradation with litter layer thickness was used to estimate the proportion of grass litter lignin susceptible to photodegradation under different treatments of a factorial global change experiment. Over summer, mass loss from grass and forb litter exposed to ambient sunlight ranged from 8% to 10%, whereas lignin decreased in grass litter by approximately 20%. After one year of decomposition, mass losses from grass leaves exposed to sunlight over summer were more than double the mass losses from summer-shaded leaves. When shade litter layer thickness was varied, mass losses over summer for all treatments were also approximately 8%; however, lignin decreased significantly only in the low shade treatments (0–64 g m⁻² of shade litter). Aboveground production of annual grasses nearly quadrupled in response to the combined effects of N addition, elevated atmospheric CO₂, increased precipitation and warming. The estimated proportion of grass litter lignin experiencing full photodegradation ranged from 100% under ambient conditions to 31–62% in plots receiving the combined global change treatments. These results reveal an important role of sun exposure over summer in accelerating litter decomposition in these grasslands and provide evidence that future changes in the quantity of litter deposition may modulate the influence of photodegradation integrated across the litter layer.     

Soil Coverage Reduces Photodegradation and Promotes the Development of Soil-Microbial Films on Dryland Leaf Litter

Litter decomposition is a central focus of ecosystem science because of its importance to biogeochemical pools and cycling, but predicting dryland decomposition dynamics is problematic. Some studies indicate photodegradation by ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be a significant driver of dryland decomposition, whereas others suggest soil–litter mixing controls decomposition. To test the influence of soil coverage on UV photodegradation of litter, we conducted a controlled environment experiment with shrub (Prosopis velutina) leaf litter experiencing two UV levels and three levels of coverage with dry sterile soil. Under these conditions, decomposition over 224 days was enhanced by UV, but increasing soil coverage strongly and linearly diminished these effects. In a complementary study, we placed P. glandulosa leaf litter in different habitats in the field and quantified litter surface coverage by soil films. After 180 days, nearly half of the surface area of litter placed under shrub canopies was covered by a tightly adhering film composed of soil particles and fungal hyphae; coverage was less in grassy zones between shrubs. We propose a conceptual model for the shifting importance of photodegradation and microbial decomposition over time, and conclude that (1) soil deposition can ameliorate the direct effects of UV photodegradation in drylands and (2) predictions of C losses based solely on UV effects will overestimate the importance of this process in the C cycle. An improved understanding of how development of the soil–litter matrix mediates the shift from abiotic (photodegradation) to biotic (microbial) drivers is necessary to predict how ongoing changes in land cover and climate will influence biogeochemistry in globally extensive drylands.     

Direct and Indirect Effects of UV-B Exposure on Litter Decomposition: A Meta-Analysis

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) exposure in the course of litter decomposition may have a direct effect on decomposition rates via changing states of photodegradation or decomposer constitution in litter while UV-B exposure during growth periods may alter chemical compositions and physical properties of plants. Consequently, these changes will indirectly affect subsequent litter decomposition processes in soil. Although studies are available on both the positive and negative effects (including no observable effects) of UV-B exposure on litter decomposition, a comprehensive analysis leading to an adequate understanding remains unresolved. Using data from 93 studies across six biomes, this introductory meta-analysis found that elevated UV-B directly increased litter decomposition rates by 7% and indirectly by 12% while attenuated UV-B directly decreased litter decomposition rates by 23% and indirectly increased litter decomposition rates by 7%. However, neither positive nor negative effects were statistically significant. Woody plant litter decomposition seemed more sensitive to UV-B than herbaceous plant litter except under conditions of indirect effects of elevated UV-B. Furthermore, levels of UV-B intensity significantly affected litter decomposition response to UV-B (P<0.05). UV-B effects on litter decomposition were to a large degree compounded by climatic factors (e.g., MAP and MAT) (P<0.05) and litter chemistry (e.g., lignin content) (P<0.01). Results suggest these factors likely have a bearing on masking the important role of UV-B on litter decomposition. No significant differences in UV-B effects on litter decomposition were found between study types (field experiment vs. laboratory incubation), litter forms (leaf vs. needle), and decay duration. Indirect effects of elevated UV-B on litter decomposition significantly increased with decay duration (P<0.001). Additionally, relatively small changes in UV-B exposure intensity (30%) had significant direct effects on litter decomposition (P<0.05). The intent of this meta-analysis was to improve our understanding of the overall effects of UV-B on litter decomposition.     

The Contribution of Photodegradation to Litter Decomposition in Semiarid Mediterranean Grasslands Depends on its Interaction with Local Humidity Conditions,Litter Quality and Position

Understanding how UV radiation interacts with prevailing climatic conditions and litter quality to determine leaf litter decomposition is fundamental for understanding soil carbon cycling pathways and ecosystem functioning in drylands. We carried out a field manipulative experiment to investigate how litter quality (labile and nitrogen-rich Retama sphaerocarpa vs. recalcitrant and nitrogen-poor Stipa tenacissima), position (on the ground vs. standing) and different UV radiation levels (UV pass vs. UV block) affect litter decomposition rates at two semiarid Mediterranean steppes with contrasting climates (continental vs. maritime) in a fully factorial experimental design. As expected, Retama litter decomposed faster than that of Stipa, and litter placed on the ground decayed faster than standing litter. However, and surprisingly, contrasting effects of UV radiation on litter decomposition were observed between the two sites. At the continental site, UV radiation increased litter decay constants by 21% on average, although the contribution of photodegradation was larger when litter was placed on the ground rather than in standing litter. At the maritime site, decay constants were 15% larger in the absence of UV radiation regardless of litter position. Significant litter type × UV exposure radiation and litter type × position interactions indicate that photodegradation contributes more to litter decomposition under less favorable moisture and substrate availability conditions for microbial decomposers. Our results emphasize the need to consider interactions between moisture availability, litter quality and UV radiation in litter decomposition models to fully understand litter decomposition impacts on soil carbon cycling and storage in drylands under climate change.     

The Role of Photodegradation in Surface Litter Decomposition Across a Grassland Ecosystem Precipitation Gradient

Differences in litter decomposition patterns among mesic, semiarid, and arid grassland ecosystems cannot be accurately explained by variation in temperature, moisture, and litter chemistry alone. We hypothesized that ultraviolet (UV) radiation enhances decomposition in grassland ecosystems via photodegradation, more so in arid compared to mesic ecosystems, and in litter that is more recalcitrant to microbial decomposition (with high compared to low lignin concentrations). In a 2-year field study, we manipulated the amount of UV radiation reaching the litter layer at three grassland sites in Minnesota, Colorado, and New Mexico, USA, that represented mesic, semiarid, and arid grassland ecosystems, respectively. Two common grass leaf litter types of contrasting lignin:N were placed at each site under screens that either passed all solar radiation wavelengths or passed all but UV wavelengths. Decomposition was generally faster when litter was exposed to UV radiation across all three sites. In contrast to our hypothesis, the contribution of photodegradation in the decomposition process was not consistently greater at the more arid sites or for litter with higher lignin content. Additionally, at the most arid site, exposure to UV radiation could not explain decomposition rates that were faster than expected given climate constraints or lack of N immobilization by decomposing litter. Although photodegradation plays an important role in the decomposition process in a wider range of grassland sites than previously documented, it does not fully explain the differences in decomposition rates among grassland ecosystems of contrasting aridity.     

Coniferous litter extracts inhibit the litter decomposition of Catalpa fargesii Bur. and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver

In this study, the litter of Catalpa fargesii and Eucommia ulmoides was treated with the water extracts of 5 types of coniferous litter for a 0.5-year indoor, simulated decomposition experiment, and the effects of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) from coniferous litter on the mass loss and C, N and P release of the 2 types of litter were detected. The results indicated that the litter extracts of Platycladus orientalis, Pinus tabuliformis, Pinus armandii and Larix principis-rupprechtii significantly reduced the decomposition and overall final nutrient release rates of the litter of C. fargesii and E. ulmoides (in which only the extracts of P. orientalis litter did not affect the mass loss of E. ulmoides litter). Correspondingly, significant decreases in the activity of soil cellulase and polyphenol oxidase were observed during the entire decomposition period, especially during the middle and later decomposition stages, indicating that the PSM release from coniferous litter might inhibit the decomposition and nutrient cycling of C. fargesii and E. ulmoides litter by depressing the activity of lignocellulolytic enzymes during mixed decomposition. In conclusion, more attention should be given to the effects of leached litter PSMs on the decomposition of other types of litter during mixed afforestation or in the mixed transformation of pure forests.     

Browsing-induced Effects on Leaf Litter Quality and Decomposition in a Southern African Savanna

We investigated the linkages between leaf litter quality and decomposability in a savanna plant community dominated by palatable-spinescent tree species. We measured: (1) leaf litter decomposability across five woody species that differ in leaf chemistry; (2) mass decomposition, nitrogen (N); and carbon (C) dynamics in leaf litter of a staple browse species (Acacia nigrescens) as well as (3) variation in litter composition across six sites that experienced very different histories of attack from large herbivores. All decomposition trials included litter bags filled with chopped straw to control for variation in site effects. We found a positive relationship between litter quality and decomposability, but we also found that Acacia and straw litter mass remaining did not significantly vary between heavily and lightly browsed sites. This is despite the fact that both the quality and composition of litter returned to the soil were significantly different across sites. We observed greater N resorption from senescing Acacia leaves at heavily browsed sites, which in turn contributed to increase the C:N ratio of leaf litter and caused greater litter N immobilization over time. This, together with the significantly lower tree- and herb-leaf litter mass beneath heavily browsed trees, should negatively affect decomposition rates. However, estimated dung and urine N deposition from both browsers and grazers was significantly greater at high- than at low-herbivory sites. We hypothesize that N inputs from dung and urine boost litter N mineralization and decomposition (especially following seasonal rainfall events), and thereby offset the effects of poor leaf litter quality at chronically browsed sites. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.