Complementary Models of Tree Species–Soil Relationships in Old-Growth Temperate Forests

Ecosystem-level studies identify plant–soil feedbacks as important controls on soil nutrient availability, particularly for nitrogen and phosphorus. Although site- and species-specific studies of tree species–soil relationships are relatively common, comparatively fewer studies consider multiple co-existing species in old-growth forests across a range of sites that vary in underlying soil fertility. We characterized patterns in forest floor and mineral soil nutrients associated with four common tree species across eight undisturbed old-growth forests in Oregon, USA, and used two complementary conceptual models to assess tree species–soil relationships. Plant–soil feedbacks that could reinforce site-level differences in nutrient availability were assessed using the context-dependent relationships model, whereby relative species-based differences in each soil nutrient diverged or converged as nutrient status changed across sites. Tree species–soil relationships that did not reflect strong feedbacks were evaluated using a site-independent relationships model, whereby forest floor and surface mineral soil nutrient pools differed consistently by tree species across sites, without variation in deeper mineral soils. We found that the organically cycled elements carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus exhibited context-dependent differences among species in both forest floor and mineral soil, and most often followed a divergence model, whereby species differences were greatest at high-nutrient sites. These patterns are consistent with theory emphasizing biotic control of these elements through plant–soil feedback mechanisms. Site-independent species differences were strongest for pools of the weatherable cations calcium, magnesium, potassium, as well as phosphorus, in mineral soils. Site-independent species differences in forest floor nutrients were attributable to one species that displayed significantly greater forest floor mass accumulation. Our findings confirm that site-independent and context-dependent tree species-soil relationships occur simultaneously in old-growth temperate forests, with context-dependent relationships strongest for organically cycled elements, and site-independent relationships strongest for weatherable elements with inorganic cycling phases. These models provide complementary explanations for patterns of nutrient accumulation and cycling in mixed-species old-growth temperate forests.     

Nutrient Concentrations in Foliage of Species Within a New South Wales Sub-Tropical Rainforest

Sub-tropical rainforests in New South Wales are complex, oftenwith more than 30 tree species ha^–1. Estimation of nutrientcontents involves obtaining information on the range of nutrientconcentrations both in different species and in different foreststrata. The foliage from the tree and shrub components of an undisturbedforest were analyzed chemically together with the small treeand shrub component of an area logged two years previously.The site had high nutrient availability. All nutrients analyzed(nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese,aluminium, sodium, zinc, iron, boron and chloride) varied betweenspecies. Some individuals accumulated high concentrations ofspecific nutrients, but an accumulator of one nutrient was notnecessarily an accumulator of any other. Assessment of nutrient concentrations on the basis of foreststrata showed major differences. Nutrients were accumulatedin higher concentrations on a disturbed site than on an undisturbedsite. This has been discussed in relation to nutrient conservationmechanisms after disturbance. Within the undisturbed stand,the large shrub stratum had the highest concentrations of nitrogen,phosphorus, potassium and boron. Mean concentrations of aluminium,sodium and chloride were highest in the small shrub stratum,mainly because several species accumulate these elements. Sub-tropical rainforest, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, aluminium, sodium, zinc, iron, boron, chloride     

Radial and vertical variation of wood nutrients in Bornean tropical forest trees

Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in woody tissue are poorly documented, but are necessary for understanding whole-tree nutrient use and storage. Here, we report how wood macronutrient concentrations vary radially and along the length of a tree for 10 tropical tree species in Sabah, Malaysia. Bark nutrient concentrations were consistently high: 2.9–13.7 times greater than heartwood depending on the nutrient. In contrast, within the wood both the radial (sapwood vs. heartwood) and vertical (trunk bottom vs. trunk middle) variation was modest. Higher concentrations in sapwood relative to heartwood provide empirical support for wood nutrient resorption during sapwood senescence. Dipterocarp species showed resorption rates of 25.3 ± 7.1% (nitrogen), 62.7 ± 11.9% (phosphorus), and 56.2 ± 12.5% (potassium), respectively, while non-dipterocarp species showed no evidence of nutrient resorption in wood. This suggests that while dipterocarps have lower wood nutrient concentrations, this family is able to compensate for this by using wood nutrient resorption as an efficient nutrient conservation mechanism. In contrast to other nutrients, calcium and magnesium tended to accumulate in heartwood. Wood density (WD) showed little vertical variation along the trunk. Across the species (WD range of 0.33 to 0.94 mg/cm³), WD was negatively correlated with wood P and K concentration and positively correlated with wood Ca concentration. As our study showed exceptionally high nutrient concentrations in the bark, debarking and leaving the bark of the harvested trees on site during logging operations could substantially contribute to maintaining nutrients within forest ecosystems.     

Nitrogen and Phosphorus Release from Mixed Litter Layers is Lower than Predicted from Single Species Decay

Ecosystem-level nutrient dynamics during decomposition are often estimated from litter monocultures. If species effects are additive, we can statistically predict nutrient dynamics in multi-species systems from monoculture work, and potential consequences of species loss. However, if species effects are dependent on interactions with other litter species (that is, non-additive), predictions based on monoculture data will likely be inaccurate. We conducted a 3-year, full-factorial, mixed-litter decomposition study of four dominant tree species in a temperate forest and measured nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics to explore whether nutrient dynamics in mixtures were additive or non-additive. Following common approaches, we used litterfall data to predict nutrient dynamics at the ecosystem-level. In mixtures, we observed non-additive effects of litter mixing on nutrient dynamics: the presence of nutrient-rich species in mixture facilitated nutrient release, whereas nutrient-poor species facilitated nutrient retention. Fewer nutrients were released from mixtures containing high-quality litter, and more immobilized from mixtures containing low-quality litter, than predicted from monocultures, creating a difference in overall nutrient release between predicted and actual dynamics in litter mixtures. Nutrient release at the ecosystem-level was greatly overestimated when based on monocultures because the effect of species interactions on nutrient immobilization was not accounted for. Our data illustrate that the identity of species in mixtures is key to their role in non-additive interactions, with repercussions for mineral nutrient availability and storage. These results suggest that predictions of ecosystem-level nutrient dynamics using litter monoculture data likely do not accurately represent actual dynamics because the effects of litter species interactions are not incorporated. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effects of pollution on the nutrient return via litterfall for Pinus radiata plantations in the Basque Country

The effects of atmospheric pollution on two 10 year old Pinus radiata D. Don forests (Manzanal and Posadero) was studied in the Basque country, analysing the concentration of different nutrients and nutrient input via litterfall. Litterfall production peaked in autumn, and 97.5% of the litterfall consisted of pine needles at Posadero (the less-polluted area), whereas this figure was found to be 88.6% at Manzanal (the polluted area). Posadero had a higher production of litterfall than Manzanal due to the higher tree density. Nutrient concentration showed a similar seasonal variation over the year at both sites. Pine litterfall in the polluted area, Manzanal, had significantly higher concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, sulphur, calcium, sodium and magnesium than in Posadero, while the concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium did not differ between sites. Calcium, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, iron and copper input to the forest via litterfall was significantly higher for the polluted area, but the inputs of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and zinc did not significantly differ between sites. Both sites showed high nutrient use efficiencies for phosphorous and calcium compared with other coniferous forests. The highest efficiency was for phosphorous, possibly due to the low availability of this ion in the soil. Trees at Posadero were consistently more efficient for calcium than at Manzanal due to the effect of pollution on the latter site. Molar ratios between aluminium and the basic cation nutrients calcium and magnesium in soil were higher at the polluted area, as a result of the increased inputs of anions to the forest soil (Al:Ca = 1.9:1 and Al:Mg = 6.9:1 at Posadero and Al:Ca = 5.7:1 and Al:Mg = 14:1 at Manzanal). The current pollution level of Manzanal is leading to a loss of cations that may cause future changes in the functioning of this forest.     

Effect of Soil pH on Growth and Cation Deposition in the Root Tip of <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.

Abstract The effects of sandy soil pH on the distribution of growth velocities and on cation concentrations and deposition rates in root growth zones of Zea mays L. seedlings were investigated. The pH values of the rooting medium varied between 4.2 and 8.6 in sand culture (70% saturated) without external supply of nutrients. At all pH values, densities (in 7moles per g fresh weight) of potassium, magnesium, and calcium increased toward the root tip. Lower pH in the medium increased calcium tissue density fivefold and magnesium density 1.7-fold, whereas the density of potassium, the overall elongation rate, and the growth velocity distribution did not show any significant pH dependence. Throughout the growth zone the deposition rates of the divalent cations, as calculated on the basis of the continuity equation, increased with lower pH. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the effects of pH on the cation deposition rates are due to the increase in the divalent cation concentration of the soil solution at low pH and that the abundant uronic acid residues of the young walls of the meristem provide a reservoir of storage capacity for Ca and Mg under conditions of low nutrient availability.     

Patterns in potassium dynamics in forest ecosystems

The biotic cycling of potassium (K) in forest systems has been relatively understudied in comparison with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) despite its critical roles in maintaining the nutrition of primary production in forests. We investigated the ecological significance of K in forests from a literature review and data synthesis. We focused on (1) describing patterns of the effects of K availability on aboveground growth and change in foliar tissue of tree species from a variety of forests; and (2) documenting previously unreported relationships between hydrologic losses of K and N in forested watersheds from the Americas. In a review of studies examining tree growth under K manipulations/fertilizations, a high percentage (69% of studies) showed a positive response to increases in K availability in forest soils. In addition, 76% of the tree studies reviewed showed a positive and significant increase in K concentrations in plant tissue after soil K manipulation/fertilization. A meta-analysis on a subset of the reviewed studies was found to provide further evidence that potassium effects tree growth and increased tissue [K] with an effect size of 0.709 for growth and an overall effect size of 0.56. In our review of watershed studies, we observed that concentrations of K typically decreased during growing seasons in streams draining forested areas in the Temperate Zones and were responsive to vegetation disturbance in both temperate and tropical regions. We found a strong relationship (r2 = 0.42-0.99) between concentrations of K and N (another critical plant nutrient) in stream water, suggesting that similar mechanisms of biotic retention may control the flow of these nutrients. Furthermore, K dynamics appear to be unique among the base cations, e.g. calcium, magnesium, and sodium, because the others do not show similar seasonal patterns to K. We suggest that K may be important to the productivity and sustenance of many forests, and its dynamics and ecological significance warrant further study. We suggest that knowledge about the dynamics of this understudied element is imperative for our understanding patterns and processes in forest ecosystems.     

台风对森林的影响

台风通过树枝折断、吹落叶果、产生倒木和折干等许多途径影响林分结构和动态。森林受害程度随树种、林龄、森林类型、树高和地形而异。高密度的森林通常具有较差的根系和较大的树高/胸径比值,在台风袭击下,往往具有较高的受损和死亡的风险。台风疏开郁闭的林冠层,促进了先锋树种的大量增加、生长和成熟,形成的林隙也为个体更新提供了机会。强风造成了土壤基质的多样化,从而促进了实生苗和幼树的更新和生物多样性的增加。台风也通过改变粗木质残体,枯枝落叶层,地洞和土墩,以及繁殖可用性来影响生物多样性。台风产生的粗死木和枯枝落叶使森林的碳储量迅速归还土壤,并影响土壤的养分分布。台风减少了动物的食物供应和恶化栖息地的环境,减少鸟的数量,促进昆虫扩散。受害森林给害虫滋生提供了场所。今后的研究热点是受台风干扰森林的长期监测,不同森林土壤的有机碳贮藏,土壤和养分流失规律,台风和其他自然灾害的交叉影响,改进数学模型以准确预测台风损害。     

Determinants of Leaf Litter Nutrient Cycling in a Tropical Rain Forest: Soil Fertility Versus Topography

We investigated the influence of landscape-level variation in soil fertility and topographic position on leaf litter nutrient dynamics in a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica. We sampled across the three main edaphic conditions (ultisol slope, ultisol plateau, and inceptisol) to determine the effect of soil nutrients on leaf litter nutrient concentrations while controlling for topography, and to examine topographic effects while controlling for soil nutrients. Both leaf litter macronutrient [phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg)] and micronutrient concentrations were quantified throughout a 4-year period. Leaf litter [P], [N] and [K] varied significantly among soil types. The variation in [P], [N], and [K] was explained by soil fertility alone. Leaf litter [S], [Ca], and [Mg] did not vary among the three soil types. Macronutrient (P, K, Mg, S, Ca) concentrations in the leaf litter were much less variable than those of Fe and Al. Lower variability in essential plant nutrients suggests a great deal of plant control over the amount of nutrients resorbed before senescense. Leaf litter macronutrient concentrations varied significantly over the 4-year period, but the temporal variation did not differ among the three edaphic types as anticipated. Hence, although the magnitude of nutrient fluxes may be controlled by local factors such as soil fertility, temporal patterns are likely regulated by a common environmental variable such as precipitation or temperature.     

武夷山甜槠生态系统的养分平衡研究（英文）

本文通过比较大气降水的养分输入与由地表径流和地下渗流的养分输出,对武夷山甜槠林生态系统的养分平衡进行了研究。结果表明：在1993年4月至1994年4月期间,通过大气降水进入甜槠林的养分元素以N最高,为34.207kg·hm-2,其余依次为Ca(22.99kg·hm-2)、S(12.722kg·hm-2)、Na(6.679kg·hm-2)、K(3.558kg·hm-2)和Mg(2.057kg·hm-2),以P的输入最低,仅1.779kg·hm-2;由地表径流和地下渗流的养分输出总量N、P、K、Ca、Mg、S、Na分别为5.68、1.016、7.345、3.430、0.620、0.534、0.576kg·hm-2,以K的输出量最高,S的输出最少。其中,通过地下渗流的养分损失占输出总量的85.97％～96.38％,而地表径流的养分输出仅占总输出的3.62％～14.03％;在该系统中,N、Ca和S有大量的积累(分别为28.527、19.560和12.188kg·hm-2),Mg和Na有少量积累(分别为 1.437和6.103kg·hm-2),P基本上处于平衡状态(0.763kg·hm-2),而K则为净的输出损失(-3.787kg·hm-2)。岩石风化对于该生态系统K的补偿可能起重要作用,而其他养分元素仅通过降水输入即可得到补充。     

Latitudinal Patterns and Climatic Drivers of Leaf Litter Multiple Nutrients in Chinese Broad-Leaved Tree Species: Does Leaf Habit Matter?

Leaf litter nutrients play a key role in nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, yet our current knowledge of the ways in which climate controls leaf litter nutrients remains uncertain, especially for broad-leaved tree species in China. We performed a meta-analysis of geographic patterns of leaf litter nutrients of Chinese broad-leaved tree species in relation to climatic variables and leaf habit (as a discrete classification of tree species). We found that mean leaf litter carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) were 458.36, 10.11, 0.72, 6.37, 14.22 and 2.59 mg^?1 g, respectively. Leaf litter nutrients did not diverge between leaf habits where they coexisted. These leaf litter nutrients displayed significant latitudinal trends, partly driven by climatic factors and a shift in leaf habit. Mean annual precipitation explained the largest amount of total variation in leaf litter C, N, P and K, and mean annual temperature was the most important predictor for leaf litter Mg, whereas leaf habit was the largest contributor to total variation in leaf litter Ca. We further found that the relationships between climate and leaf litter nutrients were distinguishable for evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved tree species. Collectively, our study differed from previous studies that evaluated leaf litter nutrients and only focused on N and P, and substantiated that leaf litter nutrients in forest ecosystems were affected by climate and leaf habit, but the strengths of the influences of these factors were strongly contingent on leaf litter nutrient identity. Therefore, alteration of climate would directly and indirectly (via a shift in species composition) affect latitudinal patterns of leaf litter nutrients and thus the associated nutrient flux and ecosystem functioning. Our study also underlined the need to include multiple nutrients to explore the influence of climate on leaf litter nutrient stoichiometry.     

Nutrient element balance in citrus nutrition

Summary The inter-relationships between the leaf contents of 4 major nutrients, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and potassium, are discussed within the context of a nutrient-element balance in citrus leaves. It was found that there was an unequal 3-way competition between the cations, potassium being perhaps the strongest antagonist of the three bases. There was also a reciprocative relationship between nitrogen and calcium, the data so far suggests a one-way phenomenon in favour of calcium. Furthermore the nitrogen/calcium ratio appears to have a significant effect on the leaf content of potassium, but not on the leaf content of magnesium.     

Tree species identity and interactions with neighbors determine nutrient leaching in model tropical forests

An ecosystem containing a mixture of species that differ in phenology, morphology, and physiology might be expected to resist leaching of soil nutrients to a greater extent than one composed of a single species. We tested the effects of species identity and plant-life-form richness on nutrient leaching at a lowland tropical site where deep infiltration averages >2 m year(-1). Three indigenous tree species with contrasting leafing phenologies (evergreen, dry-season deciduous, and wet-season deciduous) were grown in monoculture and together with two other life-forms with which they commonly occur in tropical forests: a palm and a giant, perennial herb. To calculate nutrient leaching over an 11-year period, concentrations of nutrients in soil water were multiplied by drainage rates estimated from a water balance. The effect of plant-life-form richness on retention differed according to tree species identity and nutrient. Nitrate retention was greater in polycultures of the dry-season deciduous tree species (mean of 7.4 kg ha(-1) year(-1) of NO(3)-N lost compared to 12.7 in monoculture), and calcium and magnesium retention were greater in polycultures of the evergreen and wet-season deciduous tree species. Complementary use of light led to intensification of soil exploitation by roots, the main agent responsible for enhanced nutrient retention in some polycultures. Other mechanisms included differences in nutrient demand among species, and avoidance of catastrophic failure due to episodic weather events or pest outbreaks. Even unrealistically simple multi-life-form mimics of tropical forest can safeguard a site's nutrient capital if careful attention is paid to species' characteristics and temporal changes in interspecific interactions.     

外源施钙对盐胁迫下花生营养元素吸收与分配的影响

为解决盐碱地花生养分吸收不畅及分配受阻等问题,研究外源施钙对盐胁迫下花生氮、磷、钾、钙、镁吸收积累、分配特性和产量的影响,为盐碱地花生生产合理、高效施肥提供理论依据.以‘花育25号’为材料,在0.3%盐胁迫浓度下,设置4个Ca浓度梯度[T₁(0)、T₂(75)、T₃(150)和T₄(225) kg·hm^-2 CaO]进行盆栽试验.结果表明: 花生植株内养分含量依次为氮>钾>钙>磷>镁,苗期植株对氮和钙素的吸收中心均在叶片,磷、钾、镁的吸收中心为茎,苗期近一半的营养积累分配在各元素相应的生长中心.成熟期氮、磷、钾吸收中心转移到荚果中,尤以氮、磷在籽仁中的积累量居多,达72.3%～78.9%;钙、镁的吸收中心仍为叶片和茎,其分配比例分别为49.8%、32.6%.盐胁迫明显抑制花生植株各器官对氮、磷、钾、钙和镁各元素的吸收积累与分配,尤以对叶片和籽仁中氮素积累的抑制较为显著,但盐胁迫对荚果中镁的积累有促进作用.外源钙对盐胁迫下花生植株各器官氮、磷、钙和镁的吸收累积有明显的促进作用,尤其对籽仁中磷素积累的调节最为显著,其在籽仁中的积累量提高50%以上.适宜的钙施用量可显著促进盐胁迫下花生养分吸收积累量,提高花生成熟期荚果中氮、磷、钾的分配比,最终提高产量.综合各养分吸收、积累分配和产量结果,在0.3%盐胁迫条件下钙肥适宜施用量为150 kg·hm^-2 CaO.     

喀斯特森林土壤养分的空间异质性及其对树种分布的影响

以贵州省茂兰国家级自然保护区喀斯特峰丛坡面中原生性常绿落叶阔叶混交林为研究对象, 以建立的100 m × 100 m样地的群落学调查数据和基于网格取样的土壤养分数据为基础, 采用半方差函数、Kriging空间插值和典范对应分析(canonical correspondence analysis, CCA)等方法分析了喀斯特森林土壤养分的空间异质性特征及其对树种分布的影响。结果表明: 喀斯特峰丛坡面土壤养分的变异系数为10%-80%, 变异程度中等。各土壤养分指标均具有良好的空间自相关性, 其中全磷(TP)、全钾(TK)、全镁(TMg)和pH值呈强烈的空间自相关, 而有机质(OM)、全钙(TCa)、速效磷(AP)和速效钾(AK)为中等程度的空间自相关; TCa的空间变异尺度最小, OM、TP和AK的空间变异尺度较大。土壤TK、TP、TCa、TMg、AP和pH值等随着海拔高度的增加和岩石裸露率的降低而逐渐减少, OM则随着海拔高度的增加而趋于增加, 这表明喀斯特地形因子是造成土壤养分空间变异的重要因素。CCA分析表明, 土壤养分的空间变异性显著影响到群落中树种的组成与空间分布, 其中TK、TMg、pH值、TCa和OM的影响最为明显, 体现了不同植物在土壤资源利用上的生态位分化, 这有助于喀斯特森林群落物种多样性与稳定性的维持。     

Fruit production is influenced by tree size and size‐asymmetric crowding in a wet tropical forest

In tropical forest communities, seedling recruitment can be limited by the number of fruit produced by adults. Fruit production tends to be highly unequal among trees of the same species, which may be due to environmental factors. We observed fruit production for ~2,000 trees of 17 species across 3 years in a wet tropical forest in Costa Rica. Fruit production was modeled as a function of tree size, nutrient availability, and neighborhood crowding. Following model selection, tree size and neighborhood crowding predicted both the probability of reproduction and the number of fruit produced. Nutrient availability only predicted only the probability of reproduction. In all species, larger trees were more likely to be reproductive and produce more fruit. In addition, number of fruit was strongly negatively related to presence of larger neighboring trees in 13 species; presence of all neighboring trees had a weak‐to‐moderate negative influence on reproductive status in 16 species. Among various metrics of soil nutrient availability, only sum of base cations was positively associated with reproductive status, and for only four species. Synthesis Overall, these results suggest that direct influences on fruit production tend to be mediated through tree size and crowding from neighboring trees, rather than soil nutrients. However, we found variation in the effects of neighbors and nutrients among species; mechanistic studies of allocation to fruit production are needed to explain these differences.     

Tropical tree species composition affects the oxidation of dissolved organic matter from litter

Plant species effects on soil nutrient availability are relatively well documented, but the effects of species differences in litter chemistry on soil carbon cycling are less well understood, especially in the species-rich tropics. In many wet tropical forest ecosystems, leaching of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from the litter layer accounts for a significant proportion of litter mass loss during decomposition. Here we investigated how tree species differences in soluble dissolved organic C (DOC) and nutrients affected soil CO₂ fluxes in laboratory incubations. We leached DOM from freshly fallen litter of six canopy tree species collected from a tropical rain forest in Costa Rica and measured C-mineralization. We found significant differences in litter solubility and nutrient availability. Following DOM additions to soil, rates of heterotrophic respiration varied by as much as an order of magnitude between species, and overall differences in total soil CO₂ efflux varied by more than four-fold. Variation in the carbon: phosphorus ratio accounted for 51% of the variation in total CO₂ flux between species. These results suggest that tropical tree species composition may influence soil C storage and mineralization via inter-specific variation in plant litter chemistry.     

Natural regeneration of selected timber species in the Republic of Congo

Natural regeneration of timber species is critical to the sustainable management of tropical forests. To understand what determines regeneration success of timber species in the Congo Basin, we evaluated whether seedling recruitment rates differed between forest logged 30 years previously and unlogged forest and determined the environmental factors that influence seedling density, growth and survival. We monitored the fate of 2186 seedlings of seven timber species within 462, 25‐m² plots located along 21 transects. We characterized seedling plots by light availability, soil nutrient availability and pH, and abundance of mammalian herbivores and then used linear and generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the variables that influenced seedling density, growth and survival. Light availability and canopy openness were 18% and 81% higher in logged than unlogged forest, and concentration of soil nutrients varied between sites. Seedling density was 32% higher in unlogged than logged forest. Taking all species together, seedling survival was positively correlated with calcium and negatively with magnesium and available phosphorus. Rates of seedling growth increased with available light. Taken separately, seedlings of the selected timber species responded differently to abiotic and biotic factors, demonstrating species‐specific regeneration requirements.     

Soil nutrient dynamics and community boundaries in the Fynbos vegetation of South Africa

The relationship between changes in soil nutrient characteristics and fynbos community boundaries was investigated near Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Soil characteristics relating to total nutrient content (pH, total N and total P, organic carbon, and various cations) were assessed at sites along three transects crossing the boundaries between five plant communities. Dynamics of available N and P in soils of three communities were studied in the field over one year, using ion-exchange resins. There was a wide range in the degree of change in soil nutrient content across different community boundaries. The characteristics that varied most were pH, total N, Ca and total P. Differences in available nutrients among soils indicated that the communities in this landscape were associated with a mosaic of N and P availability. It is proposed that spatial variation in soil nutrient availability rather than total soil nutrient contents may be important in explaining landscape-level species distributions and community composition in nutrient-poor mediterranean-climate ecosystems.     

Macro- and micronutrient effects on decomposition of leaf litter from two tropical tree species: inferences from a short-term laboratory incubation

While a large number of studies have investigated the effects of macronutrients such as nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) on litter decomposition, recent studies suggest that micronutrients including zinc (Zn) may also limit decomposition rates. Our goal was to compare the effects of nutrient addition on decomposition of two leaf litter types from tropical dry forest trees in a short-term laboratory microcosm experiment. Single nutrients (N, P, Zn, potassium, magnesium, and nickel) were applied to leaf litter in solution at low or high concentrations (to mimic in situ availability or to alleviate nutrient limitation, respectively), and decomposition was assessed as final mass remaining and carbon dioxide mineralization. Both mass remaining and CO₂ mineralization were affected by nutrient identity and concentration, and these effects varied by species. In general, P and Zn addition increased decomposition, Mg and N inhibited it, and K and Ni had no significant effects. Future studies should consider the interactions between decomposition processes, decomposer communities, and a wider range of macro- and micronutrients.