Decomposition and nutrient release temporal pattern of oil palm residues

The decomposition and nutrient release temporal patterns of three oil palm residues used as soil mulch were studied. Empty fruit bunches (EFB; 1000 kg plot^?1), Eco‐mat (processed EFB carpet; 30 kg plot^?1), and pruned palm fronds (180 kg plot^?1) were left to decompose (and sampled monthly) on the soil surface for 8 months. The frond's leaflets had the highest initial concentration for most nutrients, and the frond's rachis and Eco‐mat the lowest. The order of residue quality and rate of residue mass loss were: leaflets > fronds > EFB > Eco‐mat > rachis. EFB however had a higher mass loss rate than the fronds. Residue mass loss and nutrient release rates were faster at the beginning than at the end of the decomposition period. Leaflets released the highest total amount of nutrients (except for K), and rachis the lowest. The fronds released either significantly higher (for N and Ca) or not significantly different (for P and Mg) total amount of nutrients than EFB. Converting EFB into Eco‐mat had resulted in nutrient losses (e.g. N, K and Mg) and a residue quality reduction in Eco‐mat. This study's results would aid in better soil and oil palm fertilisation management.     

三峡库区马尾松林土壤-凋落物层酶活性对凋落物分解的影响

凋落物的彻底降解是在凋落物和土壤酶系统的综合作用下完成,酶活性的提高有利于凋落物-土壤有机物质的分解和养分释放。通过对三峡库区30年生马尾松林凋落物分解、凋落物-土壤层酶活性季节动态及其对分解的影响进行研究,结果表明:30年生马尾松林凋落物经过540 d的分解后干重剩余率是59.80%;凋落物层酶活性季节动态明显,氧化还原酶活性均是11月最低,3月最高;土壤过氧化物酶活性季节变化显著且均是11月最低,多酚氧化酶活性9月较高,而过氧化物酶活性则是6月较高。马尾松林凋落物层酶活性与土壤层酶活性差异较大,且水解酶活性差异较氧化还原酶活性差异大,凋落物层脲酶活性、纤维素酶活性和蔗糖酶活性11月、6月、9月分别是0—5 cm土壤层的6.33倍、3.24倍、10.29倍,68.14倍、16.16倍、24.81倍,25.07倍、31.88倍、29.20倍。凋落物分解速率均与土壤、凋落物层氧化还原酶活性呈极显著"S"形曲线,与凋落物层水解酶活性呈二次函数关系,与土壤层水解酶均呈极显著的线性关系。凋落物质量能引起凋落物-土壤层酶活性变化,酶活性的改变反过来影响凋落物的分解,因此,凋落物-土壤层酶活性差异与凋落物分解阶段和对共同影响因素(凋落物质量、土壤温度、水分含量和土壤养分等)的敏感性不同有关,凋落物-土壤层酶的相互作用共同影响森林生态系统的物质循环和养分循环过程。     

暖温带地区主要树种叶片凋落物分解过程中主要元素释放的比较

应用分解网袋法对暖温带落叶阔叶林内分布较为优势的辽东栎（Quercus liaotungensis)、五角枫（Acermono)、蒙椴（Tilia mongolica)、糠椴（T.mandshurica)等4种植物叶片凋落物第一年的分解速率损失过程基本符合Olson的指数降解模型。4种凋落物的分解速率（凋落物的年重量损失）依次为五角枫＞糠椴＞蒙椴＞辽乐栎。N、P、Na、Fe、Cu、Mn在几种凋落物残留物中各自有不同程度的富集。C、K含量显著单调下降,其它几种元素含量变化不太规律。可以看出,元素的初始含量对其释放速率有很大影响,当微生物固持作用使C与其它元素比升高到某一阈值时,元素开始释放;初始含量较高的元素则从最初开始释放。高含量的木质素对元素的净释放有一定抑制作用,而在凋落物分解初期影响不大。     

Grazing history effects on above- and below-ground litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in two co-occurring grasses

Large herbivores may alter carbon and nutrient cycling in soil by changing above- and below-ground litter decomposition dynamics. Grazing effects may reflect changes in plant allocation patterns, and thus litter quality, or the site conditions for decomposition, but the relative roles of these broad mechanisms have rarely been tested. We examined plant and soil mediated effects of grazing history on litter mass loss and nutrient release in two grazing-tolerant grasses, Lolium multiflorum and Paspalum dilatatum, in a humid pampa grassland, Argentina. Shoot and root litters produced in a common garden by conspecific plants collected from grazed and ungrazed sites were incubated under both grazing conditions. We found that grazing history effects on litter decomposition were stronger for shoot than for root material. Root mass loss was neither affected by litter origin nor incubation site, although roots from the grazed origin immobilised more nutrients. Plants from the grazed site produced shoots with higher cell soluble contents and lower lignin:N ratios. Grazing effects mediated by shoot litter origin depended on the species, and were less apparent than incubation site effects. Lolium shoots from the grazed site decomposed and released nutrients faster, whereas Paspalum shoots from the grazed site retained more nutrient than their respective counterparts from the ungrazed site. Such divergent, species-specific dynamics did not translate into consistent differences in soil mineral N beneath decomposing litters. Indeed, shoot mass loss and nutrient release were generally faster in the grazed grassland, where soil N availability was higher. Our results show that grazing influenced nutrient cycling by modifying litter breakdown within species as well as the soil environment for decomposition. They also indicate that grazing effects on decomposition are likely to involve aerial litter pools rather than the more recalcitrant root compartment.     

种植Bt玉米及秸秆还田后土壤中Bt蛋白的变化及其对土壤养分的影响

在大棚水泥池内种植两个Bt玉米(5422Bt1和5422CBCL)及其同源常规玉米5422,研究了种植Bt玉米及秸秆还田过程中根际土、根围土、3层根外土(0～20、20～40和40～60 cm)中Bt蛋白含量的时空动态特征及其对土壤养分含量的影响．结果表明： 种植Bt玉米和常规玉米后,根围土(种植后90 d)和3层根外土(种植后30、60和90 d)中均检测到少量的Bt蛋白(含量<0.5 ng·g^-1),在Bt玉米5422Bt1和5422CBCL根际土中则分别检测到1.59和2.78 ng·g^-1的Bt蛋白．玉米秸秆还田后,Bt蛋白能在3 d内快速降解,在还田后第7天只检测到少量的Bt蛋白．与常规玉米5422相比,种植Bt玉米5422Bt1 90 d后根围土和3层根外土中有机质、速效养分(碱解氮、速效磷和速效钾)和全量养分(全氮、全磷和全钾)含量均没有显著差异;5422Bt1秸秆还田60 d后0～20 cm土层的有机质和全氮含量显著升高,速效钾含量显著降低,而其他养分指标则没有显著差异,20～40 cm和40～60 cm土层的所有养分指标均没有明显差异．种植Bt玉米5422CBCL后根围土中仅速效磷含量显著低于种植常规玉米5422,但0～20 cm土层中全磷含量显著提高,其他养分指标均没有差异;还田5422CBCL秸秆后仅0～20 cm土层的速效磷含量显著高于常规玉米5422．研究结果表明,通过玉米根系分泌和秸秆分解进入土壤的Bt蛋白不会在土壤中累积,对养分含量也基本没有显著影响.
     

泥沙埋深对苦草和微齿眼子菜及两物种混合分解的影响

为探讨泥沙淤积对水生植物分解的影响,研究了沉水植物苦草(Vallisneria natans)、微齿眼子菜(Pota-mogeton maackianus)及两物种混合在底泥中不同埋深(0 和5 cm)的分解速率和养分动态,实验周期为117d。结果显示:(1)在0和5 cm埋深处理下,苦草、微齿眼子菜及两物种混合的分解速率均表现为苦草最快,微齿眼子菜最慢,物种混合介于两单种之间。与0 cm处理相比,在5 cm埋深处理下苦草、微齿眼子菜及两物种混合的分解速率显著降低(P0.05)。苦草在0和5 cm埋深处理下分解35天后干重剩余率分别为0和43.51%、在5 cm处理下分解82d后干重剩余率为0。微齿眼子菜和两物种混合在5 cm埋深处理下分解117d后的干重剩余率分别提高了31.09%和37.44%。(2)与0 cm处理相比,5 cm埋深处理显著抑制苦草、微齿眼子菜及两物种混合的N、P释放。苦草在0和 5 cm埋深处理下分解35天后N剩余率分别为0和31.28%、P剩余率分别为0和24.45%。在5 cm埋深处理下分解117天后微齿眼子菜N和P剩余率分别提高了19.45%和14.73%、两物种混合N、P剩余率分别提高了41.57%和22.82%。(3)两物种混合在0和5 cm埋深处理下,其分解速率均表现为加和效应,但N、P元素释放在0 cm处理下分别表现为协同效应和加和效应,在5 cm埋深处理下均表现为拮抗效应。(4)随着分解的进行,5 cm埋深处理下的苦草和微齿眼子菜的微生物呼吸速率均显著降低,物种混合的微生物生物量始终低于0 cm处理。这些结果表明泥沙埋深显著降低了苦草、微齿眼子菜及两物种混合的分解速率和N、P元素释放,物种混合的N、P元素释放在分解后期均因沉积作用而产生了拮抗效应。此外,泥沙埋深对分解的抑制作用与微生物呼吸及生物量降低有密切的关系。研究结果可为认识水生植物分解对沉积作用的响应机制提供资料,并为了解水生植物分解对底质营养动态的影响提供参考。     

Grazing-induced changes in plant composition affect litter quality and nutrient cycling in flooding Pampa grasslands

Changes in plant community composition induced by vertebrate grazers have been found to either accelerate or slow C and nutrient cycling in soil. This variation may reflect the differential effects of grazing-promoted (G+) plant species on overall litter quality and decomposition processes. Further, site conditions associated with prior grazing history are expected to influence litter decay and nutrient turnover. We studied how grazing-induced changes in plant life forms and species identity modified the quality of litter inputs to soil, decomposition rate and nutrient release in a flooding Pampa grassland, Argentina. Litter from G+ forbs and grasses (two species each) and grazing-reduced (G−) grasses (two species) was incubated in long-term grazed and ungrazed sites. G+ species, overall, showed higher rates of decomposition and N and P release from litter. However, this pattern was primarily driven by the low-growing, high litter-quality forbs included among G+ species. Forbs decomposed and released nutrients faster than either G+ or G− grasses. While no consistent differences between G+ and G− grasses were observed, patterns of grass litter decay and nutrient release corresponded with interspecific differences in phenology and photosynthetic pathway. Litter decomposition, N release and soil N availability were higher in the grazed site, irrespective of species litter type. Our results contradict the notion that grazing, by reducing more palatable species and promoting less palatable ones, should decrease nutrient cycling from litter. Plant tissue quality and palatability may not unequivocally link patterns of grazing resistance and litter decomposability within a community, especially where grazing causes major shifts in life form composition. Thus, plant functional groups defined by species’ “responses” to grazing may only partially overlap with functional groups based on species “effects” on C and nutrient cycling.     

森林凋落物分解重要影响因子及其研究进展

当前 ,森林凋落物分解被放在陆地生态系统碳平衡背景下进行研究 ,认识凋落物分解过程的影响因素和影响机理对理解地表碳平衡具有重要意义。凋落物在分解过程中 ,伴随有养分含量的变化 ,低品质凋落物在分解前期 (可达 2～ 3年 )会从环境中固定养分 ,特别是氮磷养分 ,而在后期则会释放出养分。凋落物本身的养分含量是影响分解速率的重要因素 ,高养分含量的凋落物分解快些 ,阔叶凋落物比针叶凋落物分解快些。有资料显示 ,在总分解率为2 9 4 %的构成中 ,理化因素、微生物因素与土壤动物因素对凋落物分解的贡献率分别为 7 2 %、8 0 %和 14 2 %。不同类型凋落物在分解过程中的土壤动物类群也不同 ,它也是造成凋落物分解速率不同的关键因素 ,通常阔叶树种凋落物分解过程中 ,会有更多的微节肢动物出现。CO2浓度升高将造成植物有机质含碳量与其它养分的比值升高 ,形成低品质的凋落物 ,从而间接影响凋落物分解速率 ,一般认为 ,全球CO2 浓度升高会加强土壤作为碳汇的功能。     

宁南山区典型植物根系分解特征及其对土壤养分的影响

根系分解是陆地生态系统碳和养分循环的重要地下生态过程,研究宁南山区典型植物根系分解特征及其对土壤养分的影响,能够丰富和完善陆地生态系统的物质和能量循环机制,为我国黄土高原植被恢复过程中植物与土壤之间的养分循环提供依据。连续2年研究了宁南山区3种典型植物(长芒草、铁杆蒿和百里香)根系的分解特征及其对土壤养分的影响。结果表明,长芒草、铁杆蒿和百里香根系年分解指数(K)分别0.00891、0.01128、0.01408,分解速率依次表现为百里香铁杆蒿长芒草。分解16个月后3种典型植物根系释放大量养分,其中碳的释放量在57.05—124.39 g/kg;氮的释放量在0.12—0.47 g/kg。3种典型植物根系对土壤养分的影响主要表现为:试验结束时,0—5 cm表层土壤有机碳含量提高了0.17—0.35 g/kg,5—20 cm土层土壤有机碳含量提高了0.26—0.35 g/kg。相关性分析可知,植物根系养分释放量与土壤养分含量之间存在一定的负相关关系,当土壤养分含量较低时,根系会增加养分释放量进行补充。由此可知,根系分解提高了土壤养分含量,有效的促进了养分在根系-土壤中的循环。     

辽东栎叶片凋落物在不同气候带下的分解及其主要元素释放的比较

应用分解网袋法对辽东栎（Quercus liaotungensis Koize)叶片凋落物分别在暖温带的东灵山,亚热带的神农架,热带的西双版纳为期1-2年的分解和K,Ca,Mg,Fe,P,Cu,Mn等营养元素释放动态进行比较研究。三个气候带下辽东栎叶片凋落物质量损失基本符合Olson的指数模型。但降解速率有很大的差别。气候条件对凋落物的分解和营养元素的释放影响很大,降水量增多,年均温增高,凋落物分解速率相应加快,研究还发现影响营养元素释放的因素除公认的土壤生物（土壤动物和土壤微生物）作用外。对于Fe,Mn等元素遵循的是“化学因素主导”模式。特征在于由于化学螯合作用。其释放过程和凋落物本身失重呈显著负相关。另外,对不同因素占主导的各种分解模式进行了归纳总结。     

Influence of soil depth on the decomposition of Bouteloua gracilis roots in the shortgrass steppe

The distribution and turnover of plant litter contribute to soil structure, the availability of plant nutrients, and regional budgets of greenhouse gasses. Traditionally, studies of decomposition have focused on the upper soil profile. Other work has shown that temperature, precipitation, and soil texture are important determinates of patterns of decomposition. Since these factors all vary through a soil profile, it has been suggested that decomposition rates may vary with depth in a soil profile. In this work, we examine patterns of root decomposition through a shortgrass steppe soil profile. We buried fresh root litter from Bouteloua gracilis plants in litterbags at 10, 40, 70, and 100 cm. Litterbags were retrieved six times between July 1996 and May 1999. We found that the decomposition rate for fresh root litter was approximately 50% slower at 1 m than it was at 10 cm. After 33 months, 55% of the root mass buried at 10 cm remained, while 72% of the root mass buried at 1 m was still present. This corresponds to a 19-year residence time for roots at 10 cm and a 36-year residence time for roots at 1 m. Mass loss rates decreased linearly from 10 cm to 1 m. Patterns of total carbon and cellulose loss rates followed those of mass loss rates. Roots at 1 m tended to accumulate lignin-like compounds over the course of the experiment. Differences in the stabilization of lignin may be a consequence of differences in microbial community through a shortgrass steppe soil profile.     

坡度和埋深对橡胶林凋落叶分解及红外光谱特征的影响

橡胶树凋落叶在橡胶林生态系统养分循环中起着重要的作用,研究凋落叶的分解和养分释放特性及其影响因素,对资源的循环利用及指导高效施肥具有重要意义。在海南省天然橡胶主产区选取橡胶林地进行凋落叶原位分解试验,研究坡度和埋深对橡胶树凋落叶干物质分解特性、养分元素释放规律及其物质成分红外光谱特征的影响。结果表明,凋落叶分解速率明显受到坡度和深度的影响;分解9个月后,干物质残留率高低顺序为坡地覆盖(39.6%)平地覆盖(26.8%)平地埋深(11.2%)坡地埋深(6.9%);凋落叶的损失符合Olsen指数衰减模型(P0.01),各处理凋落叶干物质分解95%所需要的时间分别为29.3、20.5、12.8和13.2个月;各处理C/N比从最初的25.1下降到12.7、14.4、16.2和16.9。分解期间各处理养分残留率差异显著(P0.05);分解9个月后,坡地覆盖处理S-I养分元素C、N、P、K、Ca、Mg的残留率最高,分别为10.9%、21.6%、10.7%、9.7%、10.4%、7.9%,而坡地埋深处理S-II最低,分别为3.8%、6.5%、3.4%、2.3%、0.8%、2.1%。傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)分析显示,凋落叶分解前后在3387 cm~(-1)、1734 cm~(-1)处的吸收峰强度明显减弱,表明纤维素、半纤维素、木质素、多糖、脂肪族等碳水化合物遭到分解;1050 cm~(-1)处的吸收峰向低频方向位移了17 cm后变为1033 cm~(-1),表明分解破坏了凋落叶原有的可溶性糖和纤维素C—C键和C—O键伸缩振动。综上所述,埋深处理有利于加速凋落叶物质分解和养分元素释放速率;建议橡胶树生产中将凋落叶与表土混合或压青处理,提高橡胶林养分循环效率。     

The vertical distribution of N and K uptake in relation to root distribution and root uptake capacity in mature Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica and Picea abies stands

We have measured the uptake capacity of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) from different soil depths by injecting ¹⁵N and caesium (Cs; as an analogue to K) at 5 and 50 cm soil depth and analysing the recovery of these markers in foliage and buds. The study was performed in monocultures of 40-year-old pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) located at an experimental site in Palsgård, Denmark. The markers were injected as a solution through plastic tubes around 20 trees of each species at either 5 or 50 cm soil depth in June 2003. After 65 days foliage and buds were harvested and the concentrations of ¹⁵N and Cs analysed. The recovery of ¹⁵N in the foliage and buds tended to be higher from 5 than 50 cm soil depth in oak whereas they where similar in spruce and beech after compensation for differences in immobilization of ¹⁵N in the soil. In oak more Cs was recovered from 5 than from 50 cm soil depth whereas in beech and spruce no difference could be detected. Out of the three investigated tree species, oak was found to have the lowest capacity to take up Cs at 50 cm soil depth compared to 5 cm soil depth also after compensating for differences in discrimination against Cs by the roots. The uptake capacity from 50 cm soil depth compared with 5 cm was higher than expected from the root distribution except for K in oak, which can probably be explained by a considerable overlap of the uptake zones around the roots and mycorrhizal hyphae in the topsoil. The study also shows that fine roots at different soil depths with different physiological properties can influence the nutrient uptake of trees. Estimates of fine root distribution alone may thus not reflect the nutrient uptake capacity of trees with sufficient accuracy. Our study shows that deep-rooted trees such as oak may have lower nutrient uptake capacity at deeper soil layers than more shallow-rooted trees such as spruce, as we found no evidence that deep-rooted trees obtained proportionally more nutrients from deeper soil layers. This has implications for models of nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems that use the distribution of roots as the sole criterion for predicting uptake of nutrients from different soil depths.     

极端干旱区沙土掩埋对凋落物分解速率及盐分含量动态的影响

极端干旱区由于降水稀少, 植被盖度低, 太阳辐射强烈, 以及土壤稳定性差, 导致其凋落物周转不同于非干旱区。为探究极端干旱区凋落物分解规律, 该研究利用凋落物分解袋法, 以塔克拉玛干沙漠南缘沙漠-绿洲过渡带优势物种花花柴(Karelinia caspia)、骆驼刺(Alhagi sparsifolia)和胡杨(Populus euphratica)凋落叶为研究对象, 设置不同的沙土掩埋处理: 地表、2 cm和15 cm埋深, 以模拟自然条件下凋落物分解环境, 测定分解过程中凋落物质量和水溶性盐的变化特征。结果表明: 极端干旱区凋落物分解速率与凋落物初始碳(C)含量、氮(N)含量、C:N和木质素含量的关系与非干旱区存在较大差异, 在地表处理下, 木质素含量越高, 质量损失越快。不同分解环境下凋落物质量和水溶性盐损失具有显著差异, 与15 cm埋深相比, 地表和2 cm埋深处理显著增加了凋落物的质量损失和水溶性盐总量损失。地表处理增加了凋落物分解前期的水溶性盐溶解量。该研究表明, 极端干旱区凋落物分解的驱动机制具有独特性, 由于降水稀少, 土壤微生物的活性较低, 掩埋深度不是驱动凋落物分解的主要因素, 极端干旱区凋落物的分解主要受其他非生物过程如太阳光辐射的影响。     

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.     

Effects of litter types, microsite and root diameters on litter decomposition in Pinus sylvestris plantations of northern China

Background and aims

Litter decomposition is a major process in the carbon (C) flow and nutrient cycling of terrestrial ecosystems, but the effects of litter type, microsite, and root diameter on decomposition are poorly understood.

Methods

Litterbags were used to examine the decomposition rate of leaf litter and roots at three soil depths (5, 10 and 20 cm) over a 470-day period in Pinus sylvestris plantations in northern China.

Results

Leaves and the finest roots decomposed more quickly at 5 cm depth and coarser roots (>1-mm) decomposed more quickly at 10 and 20 cm depth. Roots generally decomposed more quickly than leaf litter, except at 5 cm deep; leaves decomposed more quickly than the coarsest roots (>5-mm). Root decomposition was strongly influenced by root diameter. Leaves experienced net nitrogen (N) immobilization and coarse roots (>2-mm) experienced more N release than fine roots. Significant heterogeneity was seen in N release for fine-roots (<2-mm) with N immobilization occurring in smaller (0.5–2-mm) roots and N release in the finest roots (<0.5-mm).

Conclusions

Soil depth of litter placement significantly influenced the relative contribution of the decomposition of leaves and roots of different diameters to carbon and nutrient cycling.     

西双版纳望天树林土壤养分含量及其季节变化

 对西双版纳望天树(Shorea chinensis)林地0～10 cm和10～25㎝土层的有机质,全氮、磷、钾,速效氮、磷、钾等几种营养元素的含量状态及雨季前后的变化进行了研究。结果表明：土壤的养分含量变化为旱季结束＞雨季结束,沟谷地带雨林＞低山地带雨林,并且差异显著;表土0～10 cm是养分富集区,10 cm以下土层的养分含量锐减,两层养分含量对比,除钾元素以外均差异显著,表明望天树热带雨林生存的环境与植被的生活习性,对土壤养分的含量都有一定的影响。雨季对林地土壤的全钾和速效磷含量影响很大,对有机质、全磷和速效钾的含量影响较小,对氮素的影响是低山雨林＞沟谷雨林。雨季期间土壤中的磷素消耗到严重缺乏的水平。     

The effects of mycorrhizal roots on litter decomposition, soil biota, and nutrients in a spodosolic soil

We studied the effects of mycorrhizal pitch pine (Pinus rigida) roots on litter decomposition, microbial biomass, nematode abundance and inorganic nutrients in the E horizon material of a spodosolic soil, using field microcosms created in a regenerating pitch pine stand in the New Jersey Pinelands. Pine roots stimulated litter decomposition by 18.7% by the end of the 29 month study. Both mass loss and N and P release from the litter were always higher in the presence of roots than in their absence. Nutrient concentrations in decomposing litter were similar, however, in the presence and absence of roots, which suggests that the roots present in the with-root treatment did not withdraw nutrients directly from the litter. The soil was slightly drier in the presence of roots, but there was no discernible effect on soil microbial biomass. The effects of roots on soil extractable inorganic nutrients were inconsistent. Roots, however, were consistently associated with higher numbers of soil nematodes. These results suggest that, in soils with low total C and N contents, roots stimulate greater activity of the soil biota, which contribute, in turn, to faster litter decomposition and nutrient release.Contribution No. 95-22 from the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences.Contribution No. 95-22 from the Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences.     

贵州中部喀斯特山地不同植被生态系统细根生态特征及养分储量

为了解喀斯特生态系统退化过程中树木细根生物量和土壤养分的变化,选择贵州中部喀斯特山地乔木林、灌木林和灌草丛3种植被生态系统,比较分析不同深度(0～5 cm、5～10 cm和10～15 cm)土壤细根数量及其养分情况.结果表明:树木细根主要分布在0～10 cm土层,并随土层加深而减少.在0～10 cm土层中,乔木林、灌木林和灌草丛的活细根生物量分别占0～15 cm总细根生物量的42.78%、56.75%和53.38%,总活细根生物量的83.36%、86.91%和93.79%.不同植被下优势种植物细根生物量存在差异.0～5 cm土层乔木林活细根氮素和磷素储量均显著高于灌草丛和灌木林(P0.05),但灌木林和灌草丛间没有差异;5～10 cm土层乔木林活细根氮和磷储量显著高于灌草丛和灌木林(P0.05),灌木林下又显著高于灌草丛下(P0.05).0～10 cm土层的活细根生物量与植株地上部分生物量呈正相关,植物叶片氮、磷养分含量与细根比根长呈显著的负相关,说明细根的养分储量对地上生物量的建成和生态系统功能的发挥具有重要作用.     

不同林龄马尾松凋落物基质质量与土壤养分的关系

凋落物的质量、数量及分解速率在一定程度上代表了土壤的营养状况。为了精确估算凋落物分解对土壤碳库的年净归还量及凋落物-土壤生物化学连续体的深层理解,从凋落物基质质量的角度分析了三峡库区不同林龄马尾松凋落物基质质量与土壤养分的作用关系,结果表明:中龄林、近熟林、成熟林马尾松凋落物基质质量中的C、C/N比、C/P比、木质素/N比、木质素/P比差异显著,其中近熟林凋落物叶木质素/N分别比中龄林和成熟林的高33.65%、39.24%,N、P、K、木质素含量差异不显著;但各组织器官的N、P、K含量差异显著,均是皮<枝<叶<杂物,C/N比、C/P比的变化则相反。不同林龄马尾松0-20 cm(0-5 cm、5-10 cm、10-20 cm)土壤有机质、总氮、有效磷含量均表现出近熟林<中龄林<成熟林,0-5 cm最大,10-20 cm最小,且随着土壤深度的增加而明显降低,总磷则是中林龄最低,成熟林最大,pH值则各土层均表现为中龄林<成熟林<近熟林,平均pH值为4.55-5.51。凋落物基质质量指标与土壤养分之间冗余分析(RDA)表明:马尾松凋落物基质质量和土壤养分之间关系紧密,N、P、纤维素、半纤维素、木质素、木质素/N比、C/N比对土壤养分影响比较大;凋落物中木质素/N比、C/N比与土壤有机质呈显著负相关,其含量越高越不利于土壤有机质的形成,土壤养分积累的越慢;凋落物基质质量氮含量与土壤氮含量呈显著正相关;土壤pH值、容重与N含量呈显著负相关,与凋落物C/N比、木质素/N比呈显著正相关。马尾松土壤表面有机质、N、P养分含量与凋落物基质质量对应养分含量变化规律一致,土壤养分高,凋落物基质质量相对较高,土壤贫瘠,凋落物基质质量相对较低。