秦岭山区人工林地枯落叶客置对土壤生物、化学性质的影响

通过对秦岭山区日本落叶松、油松、灰楸和锐齿栎4种典型人工纯林2年的枯落叶客置试验,探讨了枯落叶客置对土壤生物、化学性质的影响,以及不同树种的种间关系.结果表明：阔叶林枯落叶的年分解速率高出针叶林33.70%.当针叶林枯落叶被客置到阔叶林地后,年分解速率提高8.35%～12.15%,而当阔叶林枯落叶被客置到针叶林地后,年分解速率下降5.38%～9.49%.针阔树种间的枯落叶客置均能不同程度地提高土壤有机碳、速效氮、速效磷和速效钾的含量,且针叶林地的增幅(8.70%～35.84%)明显大于阔叶林地(3.73%～10.44%),其中针叶林地客置灰楸枯落叶后的增幅(24.63%～35.84%)大于客置锐齿栎枯落叶(8.70%～28.15%). 客置阔叶林枯落叶使针叶林地土壤由偏酸向中性方向发展, 土壤酶活性、微生物量C、N含量及其微生物数量提高,其中,客置灰楸枯落叶的增幅大于客置锐齿栎枯落叶;客置针叶林枯落叶后阔叶林地土壤酶活性、微生物量C、N含量及其微生物数量变化因树种而异,其中锐齿栎林地土壤酶活性和微生物量C、N含量有所提高,而灰楸林地却有所下降.客置阔叶林地枯落叶可改善针叶林地的土壤性质,而客置针叶林枯落叶后阔叶林地的效应则因树种而异.说明在人工纯林土壤退化的防治过程中,引入其他树种形成混交林或进行枯落叶客置都应注意种间关系的方向性.     

黄土高原小叶杨与其他树种枯落叶混合分解对土壤性质的影响

将小叶杨分别与其他11个树种枯落叶粉碎混合后进行室内分解培养,分析不同树种枯落叶混合分解对土壤性质的影响及其相互作用.结果表明:12个树种枯落叶单独混土分解均明显提高了土壤脲酶、脱氢酶、磷酸酶活性和有机质、碱解N含量,但对土壤速效P含量和土壤阳离子交换量(CEC)的影响差异较大,其中柠条和紫穗槐枯落叶改善土壤性质的效果明显.小叶杨分别与油松、侧柏、刺槐、白榆枯落叶混合分解,对土壤微生物数量的影响存在相互促进作用;小叶杨分别与侧柏、柠条枯落叶混合分解对土壤有机质、速效P、速效K含量和CEC的影响存在相互促进作用,但对土壤大部分酶活性的影响却存在相互抑制作用;小叶杨与落叶松枯落叶混合分解对土壤多数酶活性和养分含量的影响存在相互促进作用,而与樟子松枯落叶混合分解时则有抑制作用.总体上,小叶杨分别与白榆、油松、落叶松和刺槐枯落叶混合分解可促进土壤性质的改善,而与侧柏、柠条、樟子松、沙棘和紫穗槐枯落叶混合分解时则相互抑制.     

川西亚高山森林土壤动物对杨树和箭竹凋落物分解过程中微生物群落的影响

为了解凋落物分解过程中碎屑食物链土壤动物与微生物的相互联系,本研究以川西亚高山森林杨树和箭竹凋落叶为对象,通过原位控制试验,于2016年4月至2018年4月采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFAs)生物标记法,研究了土壤动物对两种凋落叶分解过程中微生物丰度、群落结构和多样性的影响.结果表明: 土壤动物的参与显著影响两个树种凋落叶分解过程中微生物PLFAs含量,降低了分解前240天的PLFAs含量,增加了分解360~480 d的PLFAs含量;土壤动物的参与降低了杨树分解过程中的真菌/细菌比值,增加了革兰氏阳性菌(G⁺)/革兰氏阴性菌(G^-)比值,对箭竹分解过程中真菌/细菌和G⁺/G^-比值的影响作用相反;两个树种凋落叶的微生物多样性和均匀性在分解的120 d和480 d维持着较高水平,在分解的360 d和720 d急剧降低,土壤动物的参与显著影响杨树凋落叶的微生物多样性和均匀性,但对箭竹影响不显著;土壤动物对凋落叶微生物PLFAs变化的影响随分解持续时间和树种变化存在差异.亚高山森林凋落物分解过程中土壤动物与微生物群落的相互作用随季节和树种变化具有变异性.     

三峡库区不同植被类型土壤养分特征

通过三峡库区8个植被类型370个样地的群落调查和土壤分析,研究了不同植被类型、土壤类型、海拔对表层土壤有机质及全氮、速效磷、速效钾含量的影响.结果表明:(1)三峡库区不同植被类型土壤有机质、全氮平均含量规律为阔叶林＞竹林＞针叶林＞灌丛＞草丛,森林土壤有机质及全氮平均含量丰富;速效磷平均含量表现为草丛＞落叶阔叶林＞灌丛＞暖性针叶林＞常绿落叶阔叶混交林＞温性针叶林＞竹林＞常绿阔叶林,草丛与其他植被类型差异显著;速效钾平均含量表现为常绿落叶阔叶混交林＞落叶阔叶林＞灌丛＞针叶林＞竹林＞草丛＞常绿阔叶林,竹林、草丛、常绿阔叶林与常绿落叶阔叶混交林、落叶阔叶林、灌丛、针叶林差异显著.(2)不同土壤类型养分含量差异显著,黄棕壤中有机质、全氮含量高,分别为6.83%、0.44%,紫色土中速效磷含量高,达到54.24mg/kg.(3)随海拔升高,有机质、全氮含量呈明显增加趋势,速效磷、速效钾含量变化趋势不明显.     

长期定位施肥与地膜覆盖对土壤肥力和生物学性质的影响

采集沈阳农业大学棕壤定位实验站(1987年设置)的土样,测定土壤pH、有机碳、全氮、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、微生物生物量碳、氮和BIOLOG碳源利用,结合地上部分生物量,系统分析了长期施肥与地膜覆盖对土壤肥力指标和微生物学性质的影响.结果表明,传统栽培条件下,土壤微生物群落平均吸光度(AWCD)与土壤有机碳含量、速效磷和有效钾显著相关(p<0 01),表明施肥通过影响有机碳和速效磷、钾含量影响微生物功能.在覆膜栽培条件下,AWCD与土壤pH和土壤碳氮比显著相关(p<0.01),表明覆膜通过影响土壤pH和土壤碳氮比影响微生物功能.覆膜引起玉米生育期的变化,影响有效碳的投入,从而直接影响土壤微生物功能.与相应的传统栽培相比,覆膜栽培后土壤pH的变化对微生物群落结构有一致影响.     

自然生草制苹果园土壤微生物、酶活性和养分含量对行间草耕翻还田的响应

果园生草是提高果园生产力、促进果园可持续生产的有效措施。为探究自然生草制苹果园行间草耕翻还田对土壤生物学性状和养分含量的影响,本试验以清耕(CK)为对照,设置草被刈割还田(NG)和草被刈割耕翻还田处理(NGR),研究不同草被还田方式对行间0~20 cm土层土壤微生物数量、酶活性以及不同形态氮、钾含量的影响。结果表明: 苹果园土壤中微生物以细菌占绝对优势,放线菌次之,真菌数量最少;与CK相比,NG和NGR处理均显著提高了土壤细菌和真菌数量,以NGR处理提升效果最显著,显著提高了土壤脲酶、蔗糖酶和过氧化氢酶活性,增幅分别为59.0%、20.7%、38.3%和73.5%、45.9%、67.8%。NGR处理显著提高了土壤氮、钾养分含量,铵态氮、硝态氮、颗粒有机态氮、微生物生物量氮及速效钾和水溶性钾含量分别为CK的1.5、1.8、1.6、2.0、1.3和1.4倍,显著提高了果实可溶性糖含量和糖酸比,进而提高了果实品质。综上,NGR可提高苹果园土壤微生物数量、酶活性、氮钾养分含量和果实品质,是生草制苹果园一种可行的行间草被还田方式。     

香樟凋落叶分解对辣椒及土壤氮营养的限制作用

香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)凋落叶分解能够明显干扰受体植物的生长、生殖、光合生理和活性氧代谢。该研究继续采用盆栽试验,探讨了不同量[0(对照)、25、50和100g]的香樟凋落叶添加到土壤(10kg/盆)中对受体植物辣椒(Capsicum annuum)及其土壤氮营养状况的影响,外源氮(尿素)输入对凋落叶分解的交互作用,以及凋落叶分解效应的产生是否因为其较高的C/N比而导致微生物争氮。结果显示:(1)各剂量(25~100g/盆)凋落叶处理下,辣椒幼苗硝态氮、可溶性蛋白和全氮含量均在至少2个月内大幅显著降低。(2)土壤硝态氮与辣椒硝态氮、全氮间均具有极显著的协同下降趋势;土壤微生物生物量氮则在总体上高于对照,而土壤全氮和铵态氮的响应较小。(3)施氮不仅使辣椒各氮组分和土壤硝态氮含量整体提升,还使凋落叶分解在这些指标上的抑制作用显著减弱。(4)香樟凋落叶的初始C/N为125.61±4.89,其在土壤中分解48~137d后的C/N始终远高于Hodge假说指出的可导致微生物争氮的临界值,但经过分解120d和135d的凋落叶添加到土壤中并不抑制辣椒的生长。研究认为,香樟凋落叶分解初期可能释放了不利于土壤硝化过程的物质,造成土壤硝态氮匮乏,以致受体植物的氮素吸收和积累减少,而凋落叶较高的C/N比及土壤微生物争氮并非主导因素。     

长期灌溉施肥对半干旱区褐土氮、磷和钾库的影响Ⅱ.对褐土农田土壤钾库的影响

采用二次通用旋转组合设计 ,在辽西半干旱区褐土上进行了长期田间试验 ,研究不同的灌水、施氮、施磷和施秸秆水平对土壤钾含量的影响。结果表明 ,土壤全钾含量随着氮、磷和秸秆施用量的增加而增加 ,随着灌水量的增加而降低 ,其中 ,施磷对土壤全钾含量的增加效果最明显 ,其次是施秸秆量。土壤速效钾含量随着灌水和氮、磷施用量的增加而降低 ,随着秸秆施用量的增加而增加 ,其中 ,施秸秆对土壤的速效钾含量影响最明显 ,其次是施用磷肥的影响。另外 ,施肥和灌水在提高土壤全钾含量的同时可能使速效钾含量降低 ,两者的变化表现为一定的负相关。     

神农架自然保护区土壤微生物生物量碳、氮沿海拔梯度的变化及其影响因素

于2011年8月底对神农架自然保护区沿海拔变化的4种林型的土壤微生物生物量碳、氮进行研究,探讨土壤微生物生物量的变化规律和主要的环境影响因子。结果表明:表层土壤(0~10 cm)微生物生物量碳(MBC)和微生物生物量氮(MBN)含量大小顺序均为:亚高山灌丛寒温带针叶林针叶落叶阔叶混交林落叶阔叶林。土壤微生物生物量碳、氮均随海拔的升高而显著增加,与土壤有机碳和全氮的变化趋势一致,而微生物商(q MB)随海拔表现出先减小后增加的趋势。Pearson相关分析表明,土壤微生物生物量碳、氮随海拔的变化趋势与土壤有机碳和土壤全氮呈显著正相关(P0.05),但与土壤湿度、土壤温度和土壤p H呈显著负相关(P0.05)。因此,土壤湿度、温度、p H、有机碳和全氮可能是影响土壤微生物生物量碳、氮沿海拔梯度变化的重要因子。     

冬季作物对稻田土壤微生物量碳、氮和微生物熵的短期影响

研究不同的冬季作物马铃薯、黑麦草、紫云英、油菜在"冬季作物-双季稻"轮作种植制度下短期内对稻田土壤微生物碳、氮和微生物熵的影响,在湖南省土壤肥料研究所的实验网室内设置了小区试验.试验结果表明:几种冬季作物均提高了稻田土壤微生物碳、氮含量,黑麦草明显提高了土壤微生物量碳和微生物熵,紫云英明显提高了土壤微生物量氮.冬季作物对土壤微生物量碳和土壤微生物量氮的季节性影响变化趋势基本一致,紫云英、马铃薯处理的土壤微生物量C、N含量均在水稻生育期间8月中旬达到最大值.     

不同月份采集的贝加尔针茅地上部的分解特征及影响因素

利用植物生长过程中植物组织内养分元素化学性质的季节性变化特点,在2009年生长季的不同月份(5—9月)采集了呼伦贝尔地区贝加尔针茅地上部(茎和叶),作为分解底物,采用分解袋法,研究其分解特点及其影响因素。结果表明:不同月份采集的贝加尔针茅分解底物之间的分解速度存在明显差异,依采集月份逐渐递减,5月>6月>7月>8月>9月;分解底物初始N、P、Zn、K、Mg和Mn含量与分解速度均呈显著正相关,而碳含量和C∶N与分解速度呈显著负相关,初始钙含量、N∶P与分解速度无显著相关性;土壤微生物生物量N与分解底物的残余质量(%)相关性明显;另外,土壤微生物生物量N与凋落物C、N含量也具有明显的相关性;分解底物质量损失与土壤水分含量显著正相关,而与土壤温度的相关性较弱,说明降水变化通过调节土壤湿度来影响凋落物分解。     

Phenolic and mineral content of leaves influences decomposition in European forest ecosystems

Summary Factors influencing decomposition in European forests growing on different soils were studied in stands dominated by the European beechFagus sylvatica L. Phenolic contents of freshly fallen leaves ofF. sylvatica growing on nutrient-poor soils (acid sandy soil) were higher than those of similar leaves on nutrient-rich soils (calcareous mull soil). Analysis of fallen leaves of different ages showed rapid decay of phenolics during the first winter on the ground. After 1 year the phenolic content of leaves ofF. sylvatica growing on nutrient-poor soils was still twice as high as in similar leaves on nutrient-rich soils. Field and laboratory experiments showed that a major decomposer (Oniscus asellus, Isopoda) preferred leaves from trees on nutrient-rich soils. Mineral contents of leaves ofF. sylvatica growing on different soils differed: on rich soils leaves had higher contents of Ca, Mg, Na, and K. These elements are important nutrients for decomposers. The distribution of major decomposers reflects the mineral content of their diet, which in turn reflects soil type. Different rates of leaf turnover and nutrient turnover in different forest ecosystems (even when the same tree species is dominant) are due to the decomposing system, which is influenced by the phenolic and mineral contents of the leaves.     

云冷杉林林隙内倒木腐烂等级及其形成的微立地类型对土壤理化性质的影响

为揭示倒木腐烂等级及其形成的微立地类型对土壤理化性质的影响,分析了小兴安岭凉水国家级自然保护区谷地云冷杉林由倒木形成的林隙内不同腐烂等级倒木形成的3种微立地(丘顶、坑底和倒木下)的土壤理化性质(容重、毛管孔隙度、总孔隙度、毛管持水量、饱和持水量、土壤有机碳、全氮、全磷、有效磷、速效钾和pH值)和化学计量特征(C/N、N/P和C/P)的差异.结果表明: 倒木腐烂等级对土壤物理性质的影响不显著,而倒木形成的微立地类型对其影响显著.除土壤饱和持水量外,倒木下的其他土壤物理性质均最好,坑底最差;随着倒木腐烂等级的上升,除有效磷外的其他土壤养分含量呈显著上升趋势;3种微立地中,坑底土壤养分含量最低,pH最高;随倒木腐烂等级的上升,3种微立地浅层土壤C/N、N/P和C/P下降,而丘顶和坑底深层土壤C/N上升,N/P和C/P下降,C/P的变化趋势与土壤有效磷的一致.综上,随倒木腐烂等级的提高,土壤养分含量显著增加,且不同类型微立地之间差异明显,其中坑底始终最低.     

杉木人工林凋落物分解对氮沉降的响应

凋落物分解是陆地生态系统养分循环的关键过程,是全球碳（C）收支的一个重要主要组成部分,正受到全球大气氮（N）沉降的深刻影响。探讨大气氮沉降条件下森林凋落物的分解,有利于揭示森林生态系统C平衡和养分循环对全球变化的响应。选择福建沙县官庄林场1992年栽种的杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）人工林为研究对象,自2004年开始野外模拟氮沉降试验,至今12年。氮沉降处理分4个水平,N0、N1、N2和N3分别为0、60、120、240 kg N hm^-2 a^-1。2015年12月开展分解袋试验,对经过氮沉降处理12年的凋落物（叶、枝、果）进行模拟原位分解,每3个月收回一次分解袋样品,为期2年,同时测定凋落物干物质残留量及其C、N和磷（P）含量。结果表明,经2年分解后,氮沉降条件下凋落物叶、枝和果的干物质残留率平均值分别为27.68%、47.02%和43.18%,说明分解速率大小依次为叶 > 果 > 枝。凋落物叶、枝和果的分解系数平均为0.588、0.389和0.455,周转期（分解95%年限）分别为4-5年、6-8年和5-7年。低-中氮处理（N1和N2）均促进凋落物叶、枝和果的分解,以N1的效果更明显,而N3起到抑制作用。N1处理的凋落物叶、枝和果的周转期分别为：4.50年、6.09年和5.85年,N2处理的分别为4.95年、8.16年和6.19年。模拟氮沉降在一定程度上增加了凋落物叶、枝和果分解过程中的N和P含量,但降低了C含量。凋落物叶、枝和果分解过程中C元素呈现释放-富集-释放模式,N和P元素呈现释放与富集交替,除枝的N元素外,其他均表现为释放量大于富集量。     

Effects of terrestrial isopods on the decomposition of woodland leaf litter

Summary The indirect contribution terrestrial isopods make to decomposition processes by stimulating microbial activites has been quantified in laboratory experiments. The extent to which microbial metabolism is enhanced as a result of the passage of Betula pendula leaf litter through the alimentary system of isopods was measured for both freshly fallen and decayed leaves. Faeces derived from 1 g freshly fallen litter lost 75 mg g^-1 D.W. more than did intact leaves, as a result of enhanced microbial metabolism. Faeces derived from 1 g of previously decayed leaves, which were shown to be the preferred food of isopods, lost only 17.5 mg g^-1 D.W. more than intact decaying leaves. The isopod's direct contribution to soil metabolism was calculated to be 151 mg and 138 mg g^-1 litter ingested when fed on freshly fallen and decayed leaves respectively. It is concluded that the physical and chemical changes in the leaf substrate which result from fragmentation and digestion by isopods do not necessarily accelerate the subsequent decomposition of the litter very significantly. Fungal propagule density was 3.2x and 3.6x higher in faeces derived from freshly fallen and decayed leaves respectively than in the intact litter. Numbers of viable bacteria were correspondingly 126x and 34x higher in faeces than in the freshly fallen and the decayed leaves. Levels of microbial inhibitors were lower in the faeces than in the leaves but levels of free amino acids stayed higher for longer in the faeces than they did in intact litter. In the field the physical removal of litter by the soil macrofauna from surface to deeper and moister microsites may be the most important indirect contribution that they make to decomposition processes.     

有机肥对粉垄蔗地土壤养分及甘蔗产量品质的影响

为了研究施用有机肥对粉垄条件下甘蔗产量和品质的影响,该研究以蚯蚓粪、猪粪分别与复合肥配施于粉垄蔗地中,并以单施复合肥作为对照,研究有机肥与复合肥配施对粉垄土壤理化性状及甘蔗养分、产量、蔗茎品质的影响。结果表明:(1)与对照相比,有机肥与复合肥混施可在不同时期分别提高粉垄土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾含量,且对于土壤中速效养分含量的提升主要集中于甘蔗生长前期(6—8月),但在土壤pH值和容重方面影响不显著。(2)蚯蚓粪、猪粪与复合肥混施均能不同程度提高甘蔗生长前期的+1叶和根系中的全氮、全磷、全钾含量,使产量分别比对照提高了28.09%、32.81%。砍收时甘蔗的茎长、茎径、单茎重、有效茎数、蔗汁糖分、甘蔗糖分高于对照但不显著,出苗率、分蘖率、锤度影响不显著。粉垄耕作条件下,选择合适的有机肥与复合肥配施可增加土壤速效养分和有机质、全氮、全磷含量,也能提高甘蔗根叶全氮、全磷、全钾含量,提高甘蔗产量。     

Fungal colonization and decomposition of Castanopsis sieboldii leaves in a subtropical forest

Fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of lignin in fallen leaves but few studies have examined the functional roles of ligninolytic fungi associated with the decomposition of fallen leaves on tropical forest soils. This study examined fungal populations responsible for lignin decomposition in Castanopsis sieboldii leaves in a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in southern Japan. Fallen leaves of C. sieboldii are characterized by the occurrence of bleached portions attributable to fungal colonization of leaf tissues and decomposition of lignin. The bleached area accounted for 29.7%, on average, of the total area of C. sieboldii fallen leaves in the study site. Leaf mass per unit area (LMA) and lignin content were lower in the bleached area than in the surrounding nonbleached area of the same leaves, indicating that removal of lignin enhanced mass loss from leaf tissues and created small-scale heterogeneity of decomposition within single leaves. An unidentified species of Lachnocladiaceae (Basidiomycetes) was isolated frequently from the bleached area and caused selective decomposition of lignin in leaves under pure culture conditions, indicating that this fungus was responsible for the bleaching. The greater hyphal length of basidiomycetes in the bleached area than in the nonbleached area supported the finding that this Lachnocladiaceae sp. was associated with the bleaching. The relatively rapid decomposition of C. sieboldii leaves on the subtropical forest soil is partly attributable to colonization of the litter by this Lachnocladiaceae sp.     

西藏东南部色季拉山主要类型森林叶片和枯落物养分含量特征

为阐明不同生长年限森林叶片和不同分解程度枯落物养分含量特征,为植物-土壤养分循环研究提供科学依据。以藏东南色季拉山几种典型森林植被(雪山杜鹃(Rhododendron aganniphum)、海拔4000 m和3900 m区域急尖长苞冷杉(Abies georgei var. smithii)、川滇高山栎(Quercus aquifolioides))为研究对象,分析了1年生和2年生植物叶片及不同分解程度枯落物有机碳(OC)、全氮(TN)、全磷(TP)和全钾(TK)含量。结果表明:色季拉山森林叶片和枯落物OC含量表现为2年生叶片1年生叶片未分解枯落物(ND)半分解枯落物(SD)完全分解枯落物(CD),即老叶片以C积累为主,而枯落物OC含量随分解程度的增加而下降,叶片OC平均含量(68.5%)显著高于中国平均水平(45.5%);叶片N、P、K含量表现为1年生2年生,即新叶以N、P、K等营养物质的吸收积累为主。枯落物TN含量低于中国森林的平均水平(12.03 g/kg),而TP含量显著高于中国森林平均水平(0.74 g/kg),枯落物TN和TP以SD最高,即分解初期表现为净固定,而后期则呈净释放,TK含量随分解程度的增加而增加,表现为K的净固定;叶片C∶N,C∶P和C∶K表现为2年生1年生,枯落物C∶N,C∶P和C∶K随着分解程度的增加而显著降低;叶片N∶P处于较低水平(6.08),显著低于全球平均水平(16.0),表现出明显的N限制营养型;研究结果为科学阐明藏东南森林生态系统植被-土壤养分循环研究提供了数据支撑。     

Mass loss and nutrient release during the decomposition of sixteen types of plant litter with contrasting quality under three precipitation regimes

Mass loss and nutrient release during litter decomposition drive biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the relationship between the litter decomposition process and the decomposition stage, precipitation, and litter quality has rarely been addressed, precluding our understanding of how litter decomposition regulates nutrient cycling in various ecosystems and their responses to climate change. In this study, we measured mass loss as well as carbon and nutrient releases during the decomposition of 16 types of leaf litter under three precipitation treatments over 12 months in a common garden experiment (i.e., using standardized soil and climatic conditions). Sixteen types of leaves were divided into three functional groups (evergreen, deciduous, and herbaceous). The objectives were to understand the effects of decomposition stages and precipitation regimes on litter decomposition and to examine the relationship between this effect and chemical properties. The mass loss and release of nitrogen and potassium were significantly higher in the 6‐ to 12‐month stage of decomposition (high temperature and humidity) than in the 0‐ to 6‐month stage. Phosphorus was relatively enriched in evergreen leaves after 6 months of decomposition. The rates of mass loss and nutrient release were significantly greater in herbaceous than in deciduous and evergreen leaves. Increasing precipitation from 400 to 800 mm accelerated mass loss and potassium release but decreased phosphorus release in the 0‐ to 6‐month stage of decomposition. These results highlighted the contribution to and complexity of litter chemical properties in litter decomposition.     

Effects of nitrogen addition on litter decomposition, soil microbial biomass, and enzyme activities between leguminous and non-leguminous forests

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is an expanding problem that affects the functioning and composition of forest ecosystems, particularly the decomposition of forest litters. Legumes play an important role in the nitrogen cycle of forest ecosystems. Two litter types were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Robinia pseudoacacia leaves from a leguminous forest (LF) and Liquidambar formosana leaves from a non-leguminous forest (NF). The litter samples were mixed into original forest soils and incubated in microcosms. Then, they were treated by five forms of N addition: NH₄ ⁺, NO₃ ^?, urea, glycine, and a mixture of all four. During a 6-month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil microbial biomass, soil pH, and enzyme activities were investigated. Results showed that mixed N and NO₃ ^?-N addition significantly accelerated the litter decomposition rates of LF leaves, while mixed N, glycine-N, and urea-N addition significantly accelerated the litter decomposition rates of NF leaves. Litter decomposition rates and soil enzyme activities under mixed N addition were higher than those under single form of N additions in the two forest types. Nitrogen addition had no significant effects on soil pH and soil microbial biomass. The results indicate that nitrogen addition may alter microbial allocation to extracellular enzyme production without affecting soil microbial biomass, and then affected litter decomposition process. The results further reveal that mixed N is a more important factor in controlling litter decomposition process than single form of N, and may seriously affect soil N cycle and the release of carbon stored belowground.