马尾松人工林林窗大小对两种凋落叶难降解物质含量的影响

林窗通过改变森林微环境及土壤环境而影响凋落物难降解物质的降解, 目前关于人工林林窗对凋落物分解过程中难降解物质影响的研究较少。该文采用凋落物分解袋法, 以马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林人工砍伐形成的7个不同面积的林窗(G1: 100 m²、G2: 225 m²、G3: 400 m²、G4: 625 m²、G5: 900 m²、G6: 1225 m²、G7: 1600 m²)为研究对象, 以林下为对照, 研究了林窗大小对两种乡土树种——樟(Cinnamomum camphora)和红椿(Toona ciliata)凋落叶分解过程中难降解物质(木质素、纤维素、总酚、缩合单宁)含量的影响。结果表明: 1)林窗大小对林窗中心红椿凋落叶缩合单宁、总酚、木质素的含量有显著影响, 对其纤维素含量和樟凋落叶中4种难降解物质含量均无显著影响。随着林窗面积的增大, 红椿凋落叶中除纤维素含量外的其余3种难降解物质含量, 中小型林窗(G1-G5, G1: 100 m², G2: 225 m², G3:400 m², G4: 625 m², G5: 900 m²)低于大型林窗(G6、G7, G6: 1225 m², G7: 1600 m²)。2)林窗不同位置, 只有红椿凋落叶中缩合单宁含量林窗中心显著低于边缘, 其余难降解物质含量和樟凋落叶中4种难降解物质含量均无显著差异。樟凋落叶的木质素含量在G3林窗显著低于林下; 红椿凋落叶除纤维素含量外的其余难降解物质含量, 中小型林窗从林窗中心到边缘均显著低于林下。3)随着分解时间的延长, 两种凋落叶都表现出缩合单宁、纤维素含量降低, 木质素含量升高, 总酚含量先升高后降低的变化趋势。研究结果表明: 中小型林窗(100-900 m²)较大面积林窗干扰更有利于凋落叶中难降解物质的降解, 而林窗内的环境异质性应该是凋落物中难分解物质分解动态的主要调控因子, 并且这种效应依赖于初始凋落物质量。     

亚热带常绿阔叶林区凋落叶木质素和纤维素在不同雨热季节的降解特征

采用凋落物分解袋法研究了亚热带常绿阔叶林区6个典型树种马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)、香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)、红椿(Toona ciliata)和麻栎(Quercus acutissima)凋落叶木质素与纤维素第1年降解特征。结果表明:6种凋落叶质量损失率的大小顺序依次为红椿(72.09%)柳杉(58.61%)杉木(51.07%)麻栎(50.38%)马尾松(31.08%)香樟(27.75%);6种凋落叶木质素浓度动态不一致,纤维素浓度则整体上呈现一直下降的变化动态;第1个分解年,木质素降解率大小顺序依次为红椿(88.36%)麻栎(61.21%)柳杉(56.41%)杉木(55.44%)香樟(37.10%)马尾松(24.10%),纤维素降解率大小顺序依次为红椿(99.22%)杉木(90.58%)柳杉(86.84%)麻栎(84.70%)香樟(76.40%)马尾松(71.30%);季节性降雨极显著地影响凋落叶木质素和纤维素降解率(P0.01),6种凋落叶木质素和纤维素在雨季时期均有较大的降解量;亚热带常绿阔叶林6种凋落叶木质素和纤维素第1年降解主要发生在雨季,凋落叶木质素和纤维素在分解初期旱季的降解速率基本一致,而在季节性降雨期,纤维素降解速率快于木质素的降解速率。     

马尾松人工林林窗内凋落叶微生物生物量碳和氮的动态变化

目前,人工林普遍存在土壤退化、生物多样性降低等生态问题.人工抚育间伐,营造混交林是人们经营和管理人工林的主要方式之一.为了了解这种经营方式对人工林生态系统中养分循环的影响,本文研究了位于长江上游低山丘陵区的42年生马尾松人工林7种林窗(G₁: 100 m²、G₂: 225 m²、G₃: 400 m²、G₄: 625 m²、G₅: 900 m²、G₆: 1225 m²、G₇: 1600 m²)中马尾松和红椿凋落叶分解过程中微生物生物量碳和氮的动态变化.结果表明: 中小型林窗(G₁～G₅)有利于凋落叶分解过程中微生物生物量碳(MBC)和生物量氮(MBN)的增加.马尾松凋落叶中的MBC和MBN以及红椿凋落叶中的MBN,在分解期(360 d)内呈现出先增加后降低的变化,在180 d时三者达到最大值,其最高含量分别达到9.87、0.22和0.80 g·kg^-1.而红椿凋落叶中的MBC在分解90 d时即达到最大值44.40 g·kg^-1.红椿凋落叶中的MBC和MBN显著高于马尾松凋落叶.凋落叶中的微生物生物量碳和氮与日均温和凋落物的含水率显著相关,与凋落物的特性也密切相关.这说明对人工林进行抚育间伐时可将林窗控制在100～900 m²的范围内,有利于凋落叶分解过程中微生物生物量碳和氮的增加,加快凋落叶的分解,提高人工林林地的土壤肥力.     

马尾松人工林林窗大小对四种凋落叶质量损失和养分释放的影响

马尾松人工林乔木层植物凋落物的分解对林地养分平衡和系统物质循环具有重要意义,并可能受不同大小林窗下微环境差异的影响。采用凋落物袋分解法,以马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林人为砍伐形成的7个不同大小林窗(G1:100 m~2、G2:225 m~2、G3:400 m~2、C4:625 m~2、G5:900 m~2、G6:1225m~2、G7:1600 m~2)为研究对象,林下(G0)为对照,研究林窗大小对红椿(Toona ciliata)、桢楠(Phoebe zhennan)、香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)和马尾松4种乡土树种凋落叶质量损失及养分释放的影响。结果显示:1)林窗大小(G0-G7)显著影响林窗中心放置的红椿和桢楠凋落叶N和P释放率、香樟凋落叶失重率和N、P、K释放率以及马尾松凋落叶P和K释放率。相对于林下,中小型林窗(G1-G4)的凋落叶失重率和N、P释放率明显较大,而大型林窗(G6-G7)的凋落叶K释放率明显较大。2)林窗内放置位置显著影响红椿、桢楠和马尾松凋落叶的K释放率及香樟凋落叶的P释放率。红椿和桢楠的凋落叶K释放率从林窗中心到边缘显著减少,而马尾松凋落叶K释放率及香樟P释放率从林窗中心到边缘显著增加。3)4种凋落叶类型中红椿凋落叶分解最快,其分解50%和95%所需时间分别为5.29和23.14个月。上述结果表明,林窗大小和林窗内位置对凋落物质量损失及其养分释放具有显著影响,但影响大小及趋势随物种初始基质质量的差异具有明显变化,研究结果为亚热带低山丘陵区马尾松人工低效林的科学经营及管理提高了一定的科学依据。     

林窗对川西亚高山凋落叶总酚和缩合单宁损失动态的影响

总酚和缩合单宁作为重要组分参与并调控森林凋落物的分解过程,其可能受到林窗直接或间接的影响。该研究以川西亚高山6种常见植物(包括方枝柏(Juniperus saltuaria)、岷江冷杉(Abies fargesii var. faxoniana)、四川红杉(Larix mastersiana)、红桦(Betula albosinensis)、康定柳(Salix paraplesia)和高山杜鹃(Rhododendron lapponicum))凋落叶为研究对象,在林窗内外不同位置(林窗中心、林冠林窗、扩展林窗、郁闭林下)进行为期3年的原位分解实验,探究凋落叶总酚和缩合单宁在3年分解过程中冬季和生长季节的动态特征。研究发现凋落叶总酚和缩合单宁均在分解第一年具有较高的损失速率,分别为10.76和8.5mg·d–1;林窗对酚类物质降解的影响随分解进程逐渐减弱并具有明显的季节性差异;6种凋落叶总酚含量均在生长季降低较快,且初始缩合单宁含量较高的凋落叶在第一年冬季有较高的缩合单宁损失速率。研究表明森林林窗内的凋落叶在长期分解过程中,其酚类物质的降解受凋落叶质量和季节差异的影响更为显著。研究结果有...     

亚高山森林林窗大小对凋落叶木质素降解的影响

木质素降解是认识高寒森林凋落物分解过程的关键环节,可能受到林窗大小及其在不同季节水热环境的影响。采用分解袋法,研究了川西亚高山森林不同面积大小林窗下红桦(Betula albo-sinensis)和岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)凋落叶在初冻期、深冻期、融化期、生长季节初期、生长季节中期和生长季节后期的木质素分解动态特征。研究结果表明,采样时间和林窗面积大小对两种凋落叶的木质素降解均有显著影响。经历1a分解,红桦凋落叶的木质素降解了21.53%—27.65%,而岷江冷杉凋落叶的木质素富集了7.95%—19.40%。较大林窗促进了冬季岷江冷杉凋落叶和生长季节红桦凋落叶木质素的降解,抑制了冬季红桦凋落叶木质素的降解;而生长季节岷江冷杉凋落叶木质素富集速率则为林下大林窗中林窗小林窗。逐步回归分析表明,凋落叶木质素的降解过程在冬季主要受到负积温和土壤冻融循环次数的影响(木质素结构的物理破碎),而在生长季节则主要受到平均温度和正积温的影响(木质素的生物降解)。可见,川西亚高山森林木质素降解受林窗格局变化的显著影响,且林窗大小对凋落叶木质素降解的影响与物种和分解时期有关。     

马尾松与阔叶树种混合凋落叶分解过程中总酚和缩合单宁的变化

采用凋落物分解袋法,研究四川低山丘陵区马尾松与檫木、香椿、香樟3种阔叶树种的混合凋落叶及纯马尾松凋落叶分解过程中总酚和缩合单宁的变化特征.设置马尾松:檫木质量比为6:4、7:3、8:2,马尾松:香椿质量比为6:4、7:3、8:2,马尾松:香樟质量比为6:4、7:3、8:2混合处理.结果表明:经过180 d的分解,纯马尾松凋落叶缩合单宁的降解率为84.4%,混合凋落叶缩合单宁的降解率均高于纯马尾松凋落叶.在所有组合中,马尾松:香樟6:4混合凋落叶的缩合单宁和总酚降解率最高,分别为90.3%和68.6%,凋落叶的混合促进了马尾松凋落叶缩合单宁和总酚的分解.随着分解时间的延长,马尾松与3种阔叶凋落叶所有混合处理缩合单宁的降解率均呈现先上升后趋于稳定的趋势.而纯马尾松凋落叶、马尾松:香樟(7:3)和马尾松与香椿的所有混合处理总酚的降解率呈现在分解前90 d上升此后下降的趋势;马尾松与檫木的所有混合处理及马尾松:香樟6:4和8:2混合处理总酚降解率呈现上升趋势.混合凋落叶分解过程中,单宁和总酚的变化特征还与凋落物基质质量、凋落物分解相关酶(多酚氧化酶、过氧化物酶、亮氨酸氨基肽)的活性有关.     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落物木质素和纤维素降解的影响

从2013年11月至2014年11月,采用尼龙网袋法对华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落物进行原位分解试验,模拟N(NH₄NO₃)沉降水平分别为对照(0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、低氮沉降(5 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、中氮沉降(15 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和高氮沉降(30 g N·m^-2·a^-1),研究了N沉降对常绿阔叶林凋落物分解及其木质素和纤维素降解的影响.结果表明:华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落物在夏季分解较快,明显快于其他季节.N沉降显著抑制了阔叶林凋落物的分解,抑制作用随N沉降量的增加而加强.N沉降使凋落物质量损失95%的时间与对照(4.81年)相比增加了0.53～1.88年.经过1 年的分解,中氮沉降和高氮沉降处理木质素和纤维素残留率显著高于对照,表明N沉降显著抑制了凋落物木质素和纤维素的降解.凋落物质量残留率与木质素和纤维素残留率呈显著正相关.N沉降抑制凋落物分解的原因可能是无机N的添加对木质素和纤维素的降解造成了阻碍.     

马尾松人工林窗对红椿凋落叶分解过程中微生物生物量的影响

为了认识林窗大小对凋落叶分解过程中微生物生物量的影响,以42年生的马尾松人工林7种不同大小林窗(G1:100 m2、G2:225 m2、G3:400 m2、G4:625 m2、G5:900 m2、G6:1225 m2、G7:1600 m2)为研究对象,分析红椿凋落叶分解过程中微生物生物量碳(MBC)、氮(MBN)及其比值(MBC/MBN)随林窗面积和分解时间(30、90和180 d)的动态变化,并对比这些指标在林窗中心和边缘的差异。结果显示:(1)林窗大小极显著影响了红椿凋落叶分解过程中的MBN,对MBC和MBC/MBN也有显著影响。总体上,中小型林窗(G1~G5)的微生物生物量较高。(2)各林窗中央与边缘间MBC、MBN、MBC/MBN虽有所差异,但并不显著。(3)分解时间对凋落叶中的MBC、MBN、MBC/MBN都有着极显著影响,在分解90 d时,MBC和MBC/MBN最高,MBN最低。(4)MBC与温度、含水量极显著相关,MBN、MBC/MBN与温度的相关性也极显著。研究表明,林窗形成后温度和水分的改变显著影响了红椿凋落叶分解过程中的微生物生物量;其中,中小型(G1~G5)林窗能显著增加微生物生物量;MBC与MBN随分解时间的变化表现出相反的变化趋势。     

四川盆地亚热带常绿阔叶林凋落叶多酚类物质在不同降雨期间的降解特征

植物多酚类物质是森林凋落物中的重要组分,其含量的多寡在一定程度上决定了凋落物的分解速率。然而,凋落物分解过程中多酚类物质的降解动态仍不十分清楚。因此,以四川盆地亚热带常绿阔叶林最具代表性的3个针叶树种马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)和3个阔叶树种香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)、红椿(Toona ciliata)、麻栎(Quercus acutissima)凋落叶为对象,采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了6种凋落叶多酚类物质在第一年不同降雨期间的降解特征。结果表明:自微量降雨期起至雨季前期止,6种凋落叶多酚类物质具有一致的降解动态,降解率均表现为随着降水量的增加而增加;自雨季后期之后,多酚类物质含量均处于稳定状态。第一个分解年,6种凋落叶多酚类物质降解率大小顺序依次为:红椿(100%)柳杉(97.81%)杉木(94.45%)麻栎(93.67%)马尾松(93.06%)香樟(91.64%)。分解初期旱季两时期(微量降雨期和春季少雨期),6种凋落叶多酚类物质均有较大的降解量,其降解率占全年降解率的42.16%—71.20%。并且,除香樟以外的5种凋落叶多酚类物质大量降解释放发生在雨季前期,占全年降解率的44.46%—55.72%。此外,凋落叶多酚类物质初始含量与其降解率呈显著的二次函数关系。可见,降雨是湿润亚热带常绿阔叶林区凋落物多酚类物质降解的关键驱动因子之一,树种组成是影响凋落物多酚类物质降解的内部因素。     

Effects of forest gap size on litter recalcitrant components of two tree species in Pinus massoniana plantations

Aims The objective of the study was to evaluate the dynamics of recalcitrant components during foliar litter decomposition at different forest gap size in Pinus massoniana plantation in the low hilly land, Sichuan basin. Methods The experiment was set up by thinning P. massoniana plantation to establish seven different gap sizes (G1: 100 m², G2: 225 m², G3: 400 m², G4: 625 m², G5: 900 m², G6: 1225 m², G7: 1600 m²). The contents of four recalcitrant components (condensed tannins, total phenol, lignin, cellulose) in foliar litter of two native species (Cinnamomum camphora and Toona ciliata) placed in litterbags at different locations in the forest gaps were evaluated. The litterbags placed under closed canopy were used as the control. Litterbags with air-dried leaves of C. camphora and T. ciliata were placed at center, edge of the gap and under the closed canopy in November 2013, and collected in December 2013, February 2014, May 2014 and August of 2014 for lab analysis. Important findings The results showed that: 1) Forest gap size had significant effect on the content of condensed tannins, total phenol and lignin for T. ciliata in gap center. However, the forest gap size had no significant effect on the content of recalcitrant components in the litters of C. camphora and cellulose content of T. ciliata. With the increase of gap size, except for cellulose content, the other three recalcitrant components content in small and medium sized gaps (G1-G5) were significant lower than in large gaps (G6, G7). 2) The condensed tannis content of T. ciliata at the gap center were significant lower than at the gap edge. The lignin contents at gap center of G3 was significant reduced in the C. camphora litter. The condensed tannins, total phenol, and lignin contents of T. ciliata litter in small and medium gaps significantly decreased. 3) The contents of the four recalcitrant components in both species’ foliar litter changed with time. The contents of condensed tannins and cellulose decreased and the content of lignin increased significantly with time, however, the total phenol content increased initially, and then decreased. Therefore, small and medium sized gaps (100-900 m²) could be the optimal gap sizes to promote the degradation of litter recalcitrant components for two native species in P. massoniana plantations.     

Edge effects of forest gap in Pinus massoniana plantations on the ecological stoichiometry of Cinnamomum longepaniculatum

Aims Pinus massoniana is one of the major plantation tree species in the low hilly lands along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Valley in China’s “Grain for Green” project. The objective of this study was to explore the edge effects of forest gap on the ecological stoichiometry of dominant tree species in a P. massoniana plantation forest.Methods We collected Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves in a 39-year-old P. massoniana plantation forest with seven forest gap sizes (G1: 100 m²; G2: 225 m²; G3: 400 m²; G4: 625 m²; G5: 900 m²; G6: 1 225 m²; G7: 1 600 m², and the control: closed canopy) located in Gao County, south Sichuan Province during different seasons. The contents of C, N and P in leaves were measured, and the effects of edges, seasons and their interaction on leaf C, N and P contents and C:N:P stoichiometry were evaluated.Important findings The leaf C content, C:N and C:P of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps in different seasons were all significantly higher than those of understory plants in P. massoniana plantation. With increasing size of forest gaps, leaf C content and C:N ratio, C:P and N:P of C. longepaniculatum increased initially and then decreased with the maximum at medium size (400-900 m²). From spring to winter, leaf N and P contents of C. longepaniculatum increased after an obvious decrease; and the C:N and C:P increased first but then decreased. However, the inflection point all appeared in the summer. The nutrient utilization of C. longepaniculatum at the edge of forest gaps was more efficient in summer and autumn than in spring and winter, indicating significant edge effects. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that gap size, relative light intensity and monthly average air temperature were the main environmental factors affecting the stoichiometry of C. longepaniculatum at the different edge of forest gaps in the P. massoniana plantation. These results indicated that forest gap with size 625 m² had the highest organic matter storage and nutrient utilization efficiency in the edge areas in all seasons, and therefore had the most significant edge effect on leaf element stoichiometry.     

林窗大小对杉木林内南方红豆杉生长与形质的影响

为明确林窗大小对南方红豆杉生长、形质的影响以及珍贵用材培育成效,测定福建省明溪杉木林中25个林窗样地的南方红豆杉的生长、干形和分枝等指标,分析林窗大小与生长、干形和分枝情况之间的关系,将25个林窗样地按不同面积划分为25～50 m² (Ⅰ)、50～75 m² (Ⅱ)、75～100 m² (Ⅲ)、100～125 m² (Ⅳ)、125～150 m² (Ⅴ)5种林窗类型,运用层次分析法构建了珍贵用材评价指标体系,采用多目标决策法评价5种林窗类型的综合效果.结果表明: 林窗大小显著影响南方红豆杉树高、胸径、冠幅、杈干率、通直度、圆满度、尖削度、径高比、枝下高、枝间距、最大侧枝直径等11个生长和形质指标以及综合评价值. 林窗Ⅰ、Ⅱ类型显著促进南方红豆杉的树高、胸径、冠幅的生长.在干形指标方面,林窗Ⅰ、Ⅱ类型显著抑制分杈率和尖削度,提高通直度;林窗Ⅱ类型显著提高圆满度和径高比.林窗Ⅰ、Ⅱ类型显著提高枝下高,降低最大侧枝直径;林窗Ⅰ类型显著提高枝间距. 林窗Ⅰ、Ⅱ类型显著提高珍贵用材综合评价值.在杉木林内南方红豆杉的培育过程中,控制采伐强度、创建面积25～75 m²的林窗可提高培育效果.     

亚热带不同树种凋落叶分解对氮添加的响应

为探究不同质量凋落物对氮(N)沉降的响应, 该研究采用尼龙网袋分解法, 在亚热带福建三明格氏栲(Castanopsis kawakamii)自然保护区的米槠(Castanopsis carlesii)天然林, 选取4种本区常见的具有不同初始化学性质的树种凋落叶进行模拟N沉降(N添加)分解实验(施N水平为对照0和50 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1)。研究结果表明: 在2年的分解期内, 对照处理的各树种凋落叶的分解速率依次为观光木(Michelia odora, 0.557 a ^-1)、米槠(0.440 a ^-1)、台湾相思(Acacia confusa, 0.357 a ^-1)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata, 0.354 a ^-1); N添加处理凋落叶分解速率依次为观光木(0.447 a ^-1)、米槠(0.354 a ^-1)、杉木(0.291 a ^-1)、台湾相思(0.230 a ^-1), 除杉木凋落叶外, N添加显著降低了其他3种凋落叶分解速率。N添加不仅使4种树木凋落叶分解过程中的N释放减慢, 同时还抑制凋落叶化学组成中木质素和纤维素的降解; N添加在凋落叶分解过程中总体上提高β-葡萄糖苷酶(βG)和酸性磷酸酶活性, 对纤维素水解酶的活性影响不一致, 而降低β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶活性和酚氧化酶活性。凋落叶分解速率与凋落叶中的碳获取酶(βG)活性以及其化学组分中的可萃取物含量极显著正相关, 与初始碳浓度、纤维素和木质素含量极显著负相关, 与初始N含量没有显著相关性。凋落物类型和N添加的交互作用虽未影响干质量损失速率, 但对木质素和纤维素的降解具有显著效应。综上所述, 化学组分比初始N含量能更好地预测凋落叶分解速率, 而N添加主要通过抑制分解木质素的氧化酶(如PHO)来降低凋落叶分解速率。     

林窗大小对马尾松林下3种更新草本植物N、P化学计量研究

林窗大小与植物计量化学的耦合关系是林分管理的基础,马尾松人工林相关研究尚欠缺。本文以宜宾高县来复镇41 a生马尾松（Pinus massoniana）人工林为研究对象,设置8个梯度不同大小林窗（CK：0 m²、G1：100 m²、G2：225 m²、G3：400 m²、G4：625 m²、G5：900 m²、G6：1 225 m²、G7：1 600 m²）,通过调查,选取自然更新优势草本铁芒萁（Dicranopteris dichotoma）、芒（Miscanthus sinensis）和皱叶狗尾草（Setaria plicata）进行叶片N,P生态化学计量特征探究。结果发现：研究区优势草本叶片平均N含量为15.25 mg·g^-1,P含量为1.19 mg·g^-1,更新植物受限元素主要为N元素;随林窗面积增大,林内光照强度、温度和湿度均显著增加,优势草本叶片N、P含量受林窗大小显著影响,各物种P含量随林窗面积增大呈降低趋势;不同物种N含量随林窗大小改变的变化规律不同,芒萁N含量随林窗面积增大而显著下降,芒和皱叶狗尾草随林窗面积增大N含量显著增加;在叶片N、P化学计量水平上,芒萁的最适林窗面积为100~225 m²,芒和皱叶狗尾草最适林窗面积为1 225~1 600 m²。上述结果说明通过调整林窗来进行近自然改造和森林抚育等措施,能够促进人工林内养分循环,有利于提高马尾松人工林生态系统生产力。     

Effects of streams on lignin degradation during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest

AimsStreams are widely distributed in alpine forests, and litter decomposition in which is an important component of material cycling across the forest landscape. The leaching and fragmenting effects as well as the unique environmental factors in streams may have significant impacts on lignin degradation during litter decomposition, but studies on this are lacking.
Methods Using litterbag methods, we investigated the dynamics of lignin mass remaining and concentration (percent litter mass, %) during the decomposition of four foliar litters, which varied significantly in the initial litter chemical traits, from the dominant species of Salix paraplesia, Rhododendron lapponicum, Sabina saltuaria, and Larix mastersiana under different habitats (forest floor, stream, and riparian zone) in the upper reaches of the Minjiang River.
Important findings After two year’s incubation, litter lignin mass remaining for a specific litter species varied significantly (p < 0.05) among habitats, with an order of stream < riparian zone < forest floor. Lignin was degraded substantially in the early stage of litter decomposition process, and the lignin concentration first decreased and then increased with the proceeding of litter decomposition, but varied significantly (p < 0.05) among different litter species. Lignin mass showed a general trend of decrease across the 2-year decomposition course. In addition, habitat type, decomposition period and microenvironmental factors (e.g., temperature, pH value and nutrient availability) showed substantial influences on lignin degradation rate. These results suggest that the traditional view that lignin was relatively recalcitrant with an increase of concentration in the early stage of litter decomposition is challenged, but the loss of lignin in the early phrase is in line with recent findings about the fate of lignin during litter decomposition. Moreover, the significant differences of lignin degradation rates among different decomposition period and habitat types indicated that local-scale environmental factors can play a significant role in litter decomposition and lignin degradation processes.