三倍体毛白杨不同有机残体分解特征的研究

为探明三倍体毛白杨纸浆林林地养分状况,寻求可能的养分输入途径,实现林地长期生产力的维持和提高,采用网袋法研究了三倍体毛白杨(Populus tomentosa)落叶、枝条(直径小于0.5 cm)、细根(直径小于2 mm)以及树皮的分解率和分解过程的变化规律。结果表明:4种残余物在一年中分解速率的变化总体表现为快—慢—快的节律,但位于地下的细根分解过程与位于地表的落叶、枝条和树皮有所不同,方差分析表明,不同阶段的分解率之间存在显著差异;4种残余物的分解速率不同,实验后期细根的分解率为42.5%,落叶的分解率为30.5%,树皮的分解率为26.0%,枝条的分解率为20.9%,不同残余物的分解速率之间存在显著性差异。这充分说明三倍体毛白杨纸浆林中不同有机残体在不同分解阶段具有不同特征,今后应进一步研究其养分释放规律,采取针对性措施加快其分解,以不断提高立地生产力。     

造纸废水灌溉对毛白杨苗木生长及养分状况的影响

为了探讨工业造纸废水用于杨树人工林灌溉的可行性,以三倍体毛白杨(triploid Populus tomentosa)1年生盆栽苗木为对象,研究了不同浓度造纸废水(分别稀释到12.5％ (IF7Q)、16.7％ (1F5Q)、25％(1F3Q)、33.3％ (1F2Q)、50％ (1F1Q))灌溉对苗木生长及养分状况、土壤化学性质的影响.结果表明:造纸废水灌溉对土壤pH值、速效P含量无显著影响(P＞0.05),但能显著提高土壤有机质、全N及碱解N的含量(P＜0.05).适当稀释的废水灌溉能促进三倍体毛白杨的苗木生长,提高土壤和植株养分水平:灌溉后1F5Q地径、苗高生长量分别为10.5 mm和97.3 cm,较CK分别显著增加102％和47％ (P＜0.05);1F5Q和1F3Q处理苗木总生物量为247 g和230 g,分别较CK显著提高19％和11％(P＜0.05);废水灌溉可显著提高植株根、叶N含量和茎P含量(P＜0.05),但对植株叶、根P含量和茎N含量影响不大(P＞0.05).造纸废水通过一定处理后,可应用于苗木灌溉并促进其生长,提高地力.对于三倍体毛白杨,将废水稀释到16％-25％能起到较好的灌溉效果.     

秦岭火地塘林区四种主要树种凋落叶分解速率

利用野外分解袋法对秦岭火地塘林区油松、华山松、华北落叶松、锐齿栎凋落叶的分解速率和养分释放趋势进行研究。结果表明,分解2年后,4种树种凋落叶的干物质残留率在35.6%～58.6%,残留率大小顺序为油松>华山松>华北落叶松>锐齿栎。除油松与华山松凋落叶之间残留率差异不显著外,各树种之间凋落叶分解后的残留率差异显著。在2个试验年度中,4-9月凋落叶分解最快,在其他月份保持较平稳的分解速度,分解前12个月凋落叶失重速度明显大于后12个月,呈明显的季节和阶段性差异。利用Olson模型对凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间进行估测,结果显示,不同树种所需时间差异显著,其中锐齿栎凋落叶95%被分解所需时间最短,为5.43年,油松最长,为9.87年。凋落叶中N、P元素在分解第1年均表现出富集现象,直至1年后达到一个最高值后,开始释放,C含量则呈现出逐步下降的趋势。导致不同树种凋落叶分解速率及养分释放速率差异主要与不同凋落叶的初始质量和性质有关。     

中型景观尺度下杨树人工林林分特征对树干病害发生的影响——以河南省清丰县为例

首次利用景观病理学原理和方法对河南省清丰县一个中型景观下杨树人工林干部病害发生特征开展了研究,目的是解析在大尺度下杨树人工林病害发生与寄主本身及其群体特征间的关系。在100 km²的调查区域,杨树人工林的平均发病株率在不同林龄、不同密度及不同郁闭度下均存在极显著的差异,且发病株率与林龄(1-12 a)及林分密度呈极显著的正相关关系、并随着林分郁闭度升高而增高。以种植方式和林分类型划分斑块类型,分析显示发病株率在不同斑块间差异显著:农田间作斑块的林木发病株率显著低于孤立斑块、纯林斑块、混交林等斑块的发病株率;但发病株率在孤立斑块、纯林斑块及混交林等斑块间无显著差异。不同品种、不同树龄个体的发病指数(即病害严重程度)差异极显著,所有品种的发病指数均在10-12 a时达到最大;其中三倍体毛白杨的平均发病指数最高,达10.48％,显著高于其他所有品种。总体看,林分密度及林龄对发病株率、发病指数起到关键作用。因此,分龄期间伐以调节林分密度有可能成为预防杨树人工林病害在林分及景观水平上发生、流行与爆发的关键;确立不同用途的人工林栽培模式也是预防病害发生的一个有效途径,如采用密植技术并以2-4 a为采伐周期、以收获生物量为目的的短周期作物林,可以避免到生长后期发病株率和发病指数升高的问题。根据发病指数的差异,I-69杨和三倍体毛白杨不适宜在这个区域培育大径级用材;因此,景观病理学能够帮助判别不同栽培品种在同一景观区域内的适应性,尤其是在气候条件一致以及土壤条件基本一致的情况下。     

三倍体毛白杨-黑麦草复合生态系统林木细根与草根的分解及养分动态

在天全县的退耕还林地中,对三倍体毛白杨细根与黑麦草草根的分解及其N、P、K、Ca和Mg养分动态进行了研究.结果表明,细根直径0～1、1～2和0～2 mm及草根的分解速率与时间呈负指数关系,第1年干重损失率分别为76.17%、69.80%、73.44%和79.3%,分解0%所需的时间分别为217、266、24和172 d.细根分解过程中,N和Ca浓度增加,而P、K、Mg浓度下降;草根分解过程中,其养分元素的浓度变化整体上没有规律.细根分解过程中P、K和Mg的养分残留率与其干重残留率的变化趋势相似,分解前期下降较快,随后下降比较平缓,N和Ca的养分残留率下降则比较平缓,并且养分的分解速率均以P最快,其次是K和Mg,而N和Ca最慢;草根分解过程中N、P、K、Ca和Mg的养分残留率初期下降比较快,随后趋于平缓,并且元素分解速率呈不规则变化,其中Ca分解速率最慢,其它元素的分解速率相近.     

三倍体毛白杨速生林土壤养分因子及pH值动态变化

通过连续4a测定2年生三倍体毛白杨(B304)及其对照二倍体(1319)林地内0-20cm、20-40cm和40-60cm土层中土壤理化指标(包括pH值、有机质、全N、碱解N、全P、有效P、全K和速效K含量),以明确三倍体毛白杨种植对土壤养分及其理化性质的影响。试验结果表明,(1)在4a生长期内林地土壤的pH值呈现碱性增强变化;B304的平均pH值由8.13升至8.43,1319由8.12升至8.78,虽然二者没有显著差异,但三倍体对林地的pH值影响相对较小,更利于土壤酸碱平衡及土壤缓冲力的稳定性;(2)土壤中有机质及碱解N含量呈现先降低后升高的变化特点,品种间差异不显著;(3)在2006年,毛白杨林地土壤中有效P和速效K含量显著下降,降幅均为0-20cm20-40cm40-60cm;(4)年份、土层及年份和土层的交互作用对毛白杨土壤pH值及所测定的全部养分因子影响均达显著水平(P0.05);而品种、年份、土层三者的交互效应对土壤pH值、有机质、全N、全P和速效K的含量影响也达到了显著性水平。体现了三倍体毛白杨速生林种植对当地不同土层理化性质和养分因子影响的时间效应,生产中应采取积极措施改善或减缓土壤环境恶化,促进林木更好生长。     

短轮伐期毛白杨不同密度林分土壤有机碳和全氮动态

采用裂区试验设计,于2005—2008年连续4年测定了不同造林密度(2 m×2 m、2 m×3 m、2 m×3.5 m、2 m×4 m、2 m×5 m、3 m×3 m、3 m×4 m)下2年生三倍体毛白杨(B304)和对照二倍体(1319)人工林土壤有机碳和全氮含量,以明确不同密度林分土壤有机碳和全氮动态变化规律及其相关性。结果表明:(1)受造林密度、生长时间及其交互作用的显著影响,4年生长期内林地土壤有机碳含量呈先降后升的变化特点。其中,2008年B304在2 m×3 m造林密度下土壤有机碳含量显著高于其它年份,说明此造林密度有利于发挥三倍体毛白杨林土壤固碳的生态功能。(2)4年生长期内,土壤全N含量受生长时间及其与造林密度的交互作用的显著影响。在3 m×3 m造林密度下,二倍体毛白杨林地土壤全N含量逐年降低,而三倍体毛白杨2007年的土壤全N含量显著增加,该造林密度利于三倍体毛白杨林地土壤N的积累。(3)土壤有机碳/全氮比值变化与有机碳含量变化规律一致,且均在2006年达到最低值。(4)在2008年,三倍体毛白杨在2 m×3 m和2 m×3.5 m造林密度下土壤有机碳与全N含量呈现显著正相关关系,而2 m×5 m造林密度下的二倍体毛白杨林地呈显著性负相关关系,体现了毛白杨林地土壤有机碳与全N含量复杂的相关性。     

三倍体毛白杨叶片营养DRIS诊断

采用L1645正交设计法对造林后的三倍体毛白杨进行了施肥试验,运用DRIS诊断法对其叶片营养元素进行了研究.结果表明,以造林第3年7～10月份三倍体毛白杨叶片N、P、K元素浓度测定值为依据,成功制定了DRIS图解法及指数法的营养诊断标准,经检验取得了较高的诊断正确率.三倍体毛白杨叶片N、P、K三元素浓度最佳比值范围为N/P=19.116±1.270;N/K=3.054±0.289;K/P=6.356±0.651.DRIS诊断标准分别经各月份林木叶片养分元素浓度回代检验,林木N、P、K需肥次序与实际施肥量基本一致,其中以9月份林木各处理为例,诊断正确率达到了80%以上.3年生三倍体毛白杨林木对N、P、K需求次序为N>K>P,与DRIS诊断结果一致.运用DRIS法诊断得到的三倍体毛白杨叶片养分浓度最佳比值范围将为三倍体毛白杨的合理施肥,大面积推广提供科学依据.     

中亚热带4种森林凋落物量、组成、动态及其周转期

为研究亚热带次生林保护对森林生态系统养分循环等功能过程的影响。采用凋落物直接收集法,比较湘中丘陵区3种次生林(马尾松+石栎针阔混交林、南酸枣落叶阔叶林、石栎+青冈常绿阔叶林)和杉木人工林的凋落物量、组成特征及其周转期。结果表明:4种林分年凋落物量在414.4—818.2 g m-2a-1之间,3种次生林显著高于杉木人工林,3种次生林两两之间差异不显著,落叶对林分凋落物量的贡献最大,占林分凋落物量的59.9%—66.6%。杉木人工林和南酸枣落叶阔叶林的凋落物量月动态变化呈"双峰型",马尾松+石栎针阔混交林、石栎+青冈常绿阔叶林呈"不规则型"。优势树种的凋落物量对其林分凋落物量的贡献随林分树种多样性的增加而下降,杉木、马尾松凋落物量的月动态与其林分凋落物量的月动态基本呈一致变化趋势,但南酸枣、青冈、石栎没有一致的变化趋势。杉木人工林凋落物分解率最低(0.31),周转期最长(3.2 a),南酸枣落叶阔叶林分解率最高(0.45),周转期最低(2.2 a),凋落物的分解速率和周转随林分树种多样性增加而加快。可见,次生林凋落物量大,且分解快,周转期短,有利于养分归还和具有良好地力维持的能力。     

亚热带红壤丘陵区四种人工林凋落物分解动态及养分释放

应用网袋分解法,连续2a对我国亚热带红壤丘陵区内有代表性的人工林类型马尾松（Pinus,massoniana）、湿地松（Pinus elliottii）、杉木（Cunninghamialanceolata）、木荷（Schimasuperba）＋马尾松（Pinus,massoniana）混交林的凋落物的分解速率,及其C、N元素释放动态进行了研究,凋落物样品分地上、地下两组处理方式。4种林分凋落物地上组的第1、2年分解速率（凋落物的年失重率）依次为马尾松林〉混交林〉湿地松林〉杉木林,马尾松林〉混交林〉杉木林〉湿地松林;地下组的第1、2年分解速率顺序分别为马尾松林〉混交林〉杉木林〉湿地松林,马尾松〉杉木林〉湿地松林〉混交林。各林分地上组凋落物分解速率明显快于地下部分,马尾松林凋落物的分解速率在不同时期均高于其它林分。4种林分凋落物的分解动态符合Olson指数衰减模型。根据拟合方程得出的凋落物分解95％时间为4～01a,介于暖温带常见树种凋落物95％被分解所需时间8～17a,地处南亚热带季风区的鼎湖山凋落物分解95％所需的时间2～8a。养分元素释放率的变化因不同林分和分解时期而异。C在各林分中始终表现为净释放,地上组凋落物的释放率大多数时间均高于地下组。N则于湿地松林、马尾松林和混交林中前期表现出富集现象,而后开始净释放,其中湿地松林凋落物的N富集现象最为显著,释放速率在两个试验年度均为各林分中最低,凋落物中初始的高C／N比是导致上述现象的原因。杉木林凋落物具有最低的初始C／N比,没有出现N富集现象,且在两个试验年度末期均维持了较高的N释放率.     

Effects of burial on leaf litter quality,microbial conditioning and palatability to three shredder taxa

Summary 1. Heterotrophic microorganisms are crucial for mineralising leaf litter and rendering it more palatable to leaf‐shredding invertebrates. A substantial part of leaf litter entering running waters may be buried in the streambed and thus be exposed to the constraining conditions prevailing in the hyporheic zone. The fate of this buried organic matter and particularly the role of microbial conditioning in this habitat remain largely unexplored. 2. The aim of this study was to determine how the location of leaf litter within the streambed (i.e. at the surface or buried), as well as the leaf litter burial history, may affect the leaf‐associated aquatic hyphomycete communities and therefore leaf consumption by invertebrate detritivores. We tested the hypotheses that (i) burial of leaf litter would result in lower decomposition rates associated with changes in microbial assemblages compared with leaf litter at the surface and (ii) altered microbial conditioning of buried leaf litter would lead to decreased quality and palatability to their consumers, translating into lower growth rates of detritivores. 3. These hypotheses were tested experimentally in a second‐order stream where leaf‐associated microbial communities, as well as leaf litter decomposition rates, elemental composition and toughness, were compared across controlled treatments differing by their location within the streambed. We examined the effects of the diverse conditioning treatments on decaying leaf palatability to consumers through feeding trials on three shredder taxa including a freshwater amphipod, of which we also determined the growth rate. 4. Microbial leaf litter decomposition, fungal biomass and sporulation rates were reduced when leaf litter was buried in the hyporheic zone. While the total species richness of fungal assemblages was similar among treatments, the composition of fungal assemblages was affected by leaf litter burial in sediment. 5. Leaf litter burial markedly affected the food quality (especially P content) of leaf material, probably due to the changes in microbial conditioning. Leaf litter palatability to shredders was highest for leaves exposed at the sediment surface and tended to be negatively related to leaf litter toughness and C/P ratio. In addition, burial of leaf litter led to lower amphipod growth rates, which were positively correlated with leaf litter P content. 6. These results emphasise the importance of leaf colonisation by aquatic fungi in the hyporheic zone of headwater streams, where fungal conditioning of leaf litter appears particularly critical for nutrient and energy transfer to higher trophic levels.     

Litter decomposition and nutrient release in Acacia mangium plantations established on degraded soils of Colombia

Several factors control the decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems such as humidity, temperature, quality of litter and microbial activity. We investigated the effects of rainfall and soil plowing prior to the establishment of Acacia mangium plantations, using the litterbag technique, during a six month period, in forests plantations in Bajo Cauca region, Colombia. The annual decomposition constants (k) of simple exponential model, oscillated between 1.24 and 1.80, meanwhile k1 y k2 decomposition constants of double exponential model were 0.88-1.81 and 0.58-7.01. At the end of the study, the mean residual dry matter (RDM) was 47% of the initial value for the three sites. We found a slow N, Ca and Mg release pattern from the A. mangium leaf litter, meanwhile, phosphorus (P) showed a dominant immobilization phase, suggesting its low availability in soils. Chemical leaf litter quality parameters (e.g. N and P concentrations, C/N, N/P ratios and phenols content) showed an important influence on decomposition rates. The results of this study indicated that rainfall plays an important role on the decomposition process, but not soil plowing.     

广西主要人工林凋落物分解过程及其对淋溶水质的影响

为探讨不同人工林各组分凋落物分解过程特征及其释放物质对淋溶水质的影响,恒温(28 ℃)培养条件下,在室内人工定期淋水模拟自然环境中凋落物的淋溶过程,对1年生和4年生尾巨桉、7年生杂交相思、13年生马尾松以及软阔林5种人工林的凋落叶、凋落枝、凋落皮进行255 d的模拟淋溶.结果表明：1年生和4年生尾巨桉各组分凋落物分解0～105 d的淋溶液色度和化学需氧量（COD）、总N和总P含量显著高于杂交相思、马尾松、软阔林,淋溶液pH值显著低于其他3种林分人工林;至255 d,1年生和4年生尾巨桉凋落叶淋溶液的COD累积量（193.9和212.8 g·kg^-1）分别是杂交相思、马尾松、软阔林的4.2、4.0、4.3倍和5.3、4.4、4.7倍;1年生尾巨桉凋落叶质量损失率、N和P淋失率显著大于杂交相思、马尾松和软阔林,凋落皮显著大于马尾松,而凋落枝与后三者基本相当.1年生尾巨桉凋落叶和凋落皮比4年生尾巨桉更易被分解淋溶,但凋落枝差异不显著.5种林分凋落物不同组分间,凋落叶最易被分解淋溶,凋落枝难于被分解淋溶.尾巨桉凋落物淋溶液pH值与色度、COD含量呈显著负相关,COD与色度、总N和总P呈显著正相关.     

滇中亚高山人工林凋落物分解对模拟氮沉降的响应

2018年2月至2019年1月,利用尼龙网袋法对滇中亚高山华山松和云南松两种人工林开展模拟氮(N)沉降下凋落叶和凋落枝原位分解试验,N沉降水平分别为对照(CK, 0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、低N(LN, 5 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、中N(MN, 15 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和高N(HN, 30 g N·m^-2·a^-1)。结果表明: 华山松凋落叶和凋落枝年分解率分别为34.8%和18.0%,分别高于云南松凋落叶的32.2%和凋落枝的16.1%。模拟N沉降下,LN处理使华山松凋落叶、枝分解95%所需时间较对照分别减少0.202和1.624年,MN处理分别减少0.045和1.437年,HN处理则分别增加0.840和2.112年;LN处理使云南松凋落叶、枝分解95%所需时间较对照分别减少0.766和4.053年,MN处理分别增加0.366和0.455年,HN处理分别增加0.826和0.906年。经过1年的分解,低N处理促进了华山松和云南松凋落物(叶、枝)的分解,而高N处理表现为抑制作用;N沉降对两种林型凋落物分解的影响与凋落物中纤维素和木质素含量密切相关。可见,凋落物基质质量在一定程度上决定了凋落物分解对N沉降的响应情况,尤其是纤维素和木质素含量。     

不同林龄杉木人工林植物-凋落叶-土壤C、N、P化学计量特征及互作关系

以贵州8年、16年、28年生杉木人工林为研究对象,分析植物-凋落叶-土壤的C、N、P化学计量特征及其内在联系,探讨林龄对杉木人工林生态化学计量的影响,为杉木人工林可持续经营提供参考。结果表明:(1)杉木人工林植物-凋落叶-土壤均呈高C低N、P元素格局,两两组分间差异显著(P0.05);成熟叶C/N(38.58)、C/P(376.67)偏低,其养分利用效率较低;与成熟叶相比,凋落叶N、P偏低,C/N、C/P偏高;土壤C/P、N/P偏低,C/N较高,说明土壤P素分解较快而N保存较好,反映了凋落叶分解不利。(2)成熟叶C、P以及根、凋落叶、土壤的C、N、P、C/N、C/P、N/P均受林龄的显著影响;从8年到28年,C、N、P含量在植物体呈先增后减趋势,而在土壤中相反,呈先减后增趋势,但在凋落物中C、P显著减小,且C/P,N/P显著增加,反映杉木林早期对养分需求旺盛,随年龄增大需求减小,凋落物分解受制于P素,加剧中幼期杉木生态系统养分供需矛盾。(3)成熟叶与凋落叶N、C/N、N/P之间显著正相关,凋落叶养分源自成熟叶;成熟叶重吸收率P(0.518—0.645)N(0.292—0.488),即对P的利用效率高于N。凋落叶与土壤C、C/N之间显著负相关,表明土壤C、N来源于凋落叶分解,但凋落叶分解缓慢,导致大量元素滞留于凋落叶,土壤损耗元素得不到补给,两者间养分循环缓慢。土壤与根C、P、C/N、C/P、N/P之间均显著正相关,土壤与成熟叶的C、N、P均不相关,表明土壤养分是杉木生长养分的主要来源,但土壤C、N、P含量对成熟叶C、N、P含量影响不大。     

How to manage degraded monoculture plantations in South China: a perspective from reciprocal litter transplant experiment

Litter decomposition, an important component of nutrient cycling, is often one of the limiting factors for the development of monoculture tree plantations for restoration, and how to improve the litter decomposition rate remains as a major challenge. To help resolve this issue, we developed a mixed-litter transplantation approach to improve the litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in Schima superba, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Eucalyptus urophylla, and Acacia mangium monoculture plantations in China. The monospecific leaf litters of the four species were collected and their possible two-, three- and four-species combinations were transplanted between plantations. We examined the influences of home/away field, litter species richness, and litter composition on litter decomposition during 24 months treatment. A significant effect of litter composition on litter decomposition (Duration?×?Composition effect) was detected in E. urophylla plantation. The influence of litter richness on litter decomposition was significant in A. mangium plantation (Duration?×?Richness effect). The litter of C. lanceolata and A. mangium had a distinct home-field advantage, while the litter of S. superba had a distinct away-field advantage in decomposition. We observed a positive relationship between richness and litter decomposition in C. lanceolate plantation. The effect of Duration?×?Species Interaction on litter decomposition, was significant in E. urophylla plantation, indicating a non-additive effect. Litter decomposition in E. urophylla plantation could be explained by idiosyncratic model, and the rivet model may be appropriate to illustrate the litter decomposition in A. mangium plantation. Finally, since the litter decomposition in degraded A. mangium plantations had a distinct home-field advantage and was significantly affected by litter richness, transplanting mixed litters of neighboring plantations may be beneficial to improve its litter decomposition rate. Transplanting of S. superba litters due to the distinct home-field advantage to neighboring plantations such as E. urophylla plantation whose litter decomposition is significantly affected by litter composition, may be an effective management method for improving litters decomposition.

     

Leaf Litter Consumption by Macroarthropods and Burial of their Faeces Enhance Decomposition in a Mediterranean Ecosystem

In many terrestrial ecosystems, large amounts of leaf litter are consumed by macroarthropods. Most of it is deposited as faeces that are easily transferred into deeper soil layers. However, the decomposition of this large pool of organic matter remains poorly studied. We addressed the question of how leaf litter transformation into macroarthropod faeces, and their burial in the soil, affect organic matter decomposition in a Mediterranean dry shrubland. We compared mass loss of intact leaf litter of two dominant shrub species (Quercus coccifera, Cistus albidus) with that of leaf litter-specific faeces from the abundant millipede Ommatoiulus sabulosus. Leaf litter and faeces were exposed in the field for 1 year, either on the soil surface or buried at 5 cm soil depth. Chemical and physical quality of faeces differed strongly from that of leaf litter, but distinctively between the two shrub species. On the soil surface, faeces decomposed faster than intact leaf litter in Quercus, but at similar rates in Cistus. When buried in the soil, faeces and leaf litter decomposed at similar rates in either species, but significantly faster compared to the soil surface, most likely because of higher moisture within the soil enhancing microbial activity. The combined effects of leaf litter transformation into faeces and their subsequent burial in the topsoil led to a 1.5-fold increase in the annual mass loss. These direct and indirect macroarthropod effects on ecosystem-scale decomposition are likely more widespread than currently acknowledged, and may play a particularly important role in drought-influenced ecosystems.     

Mixing effects on litter decomposition rates in a young tree diversity experiment

Litter decomposition is an essential process for biogeochemical cycling and for the formation of new soil organic matter. Mixing litter from different tree species has been reported to increase litter decomposition rates through synergistic effects. We assessed the decomposition rates of leaf litter from five tree species in a recently established tree diversity experiment on a post-agriculture site in Belgium. We used 20 different leaf litter compositions with diversity levels ranging from 1 up to 4 species. Litter mass loss in litterbags was assessed 10, 20, 25, 35, and 60 weeks after installation in the field. We found that litter decomposition rates were higher for high-quality litters, i.e., with high nitrogen content and low lignin content. The decomposition rates of mixed litter were more affected by the identity of the litter species within the mixture than by the diversity of the litter per se, but the variability in litter decomposition rates decreased as the litter diversity increased. Among the 15 different mixed litter compositions in our study, only three litter combinations showed synergistic effects. Our study suggests that admixing tree species with high-quality litter in post-agricultural plantations helps in increasing the mixture's early-stage litter decomposition rate.     

Do non-native Platanus hybrida riparian plantations affect leaf litter decomposition in streams?

In forest headwater streams where the riparian canopy limits autochthonous primary production, leaf litter decomposition is a key process controlling nutrient and carbon cycling. Any alteration of the riparian vegetation may influence litter decomposition and detrital food webs. We evaluated the effect of non-native Platanus hybrida riparian plantations on leaf litter decomposition in Mediterranean streams. The experiment was conducted in six headwater streams; three lined by native riparian vegetation and three crossing P. hybrida plantations. We have characterized the processing rates of alder leaves and the assemblages of shredder macroinvertebrates and fungi. Litter decomposition was significantly faster in the P. hybrida than in the reference streams. Although the dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration was higher in P. hybrida, no significant effect was observed in decomposition rates. Differences in decomposition rates reflected the macroinvertebrate and shredder colonization in alder litter, with higher abundance and richness in the P. hybrida streams. However, aquatic hyphomycete sporulation rate was higher in reference streams, suggesting that the variation in decomposition rates is a direct consequence of shredder abundance. Our findings support part of the substrate quality-matrix quality (SMI) hypothesis, which expects that high-quality litter will show increased decomposition rates in a low-quality litter matrix.     

南亚热带格木和红椎凋落叶及细根分解特征

采用原位分解法对南亚热带格木(Erythrophleum fordii)和红椎(Castanopsis hystrix)人工纯林的凋落叶和细根分解动态及凋落叶和细根分解速率之间的相关关系进行了比较研究。结果显示,格木、红椎人工林凋落叶和细根分解系数分别为0.98a~(-1)、0.88a~(-1)和0.65a~(-1)、0.59a~(-1)。格木、红椎凋落物分解主要受凋落物自身化学性质的影响,而与林分内环境条件的关系不显著。分解初期,凋落叶和细根的质量损失均与氮含量显著正相关(R~2分别为0.525和0.549),与C/N比显著负相关(R~2分别为0.764和0.361);而分解后期,凋落叶和细根的质量损失均与氮含量显著正相关(R~2分别为0.565和0.511),与C/N比、木质素含量、木质素/N比显著负相关(R~2分别为0.482和0.574;0.525和0.519;0.523和0.486)。格木、红椎凋落叶分解速率和细根分解速率表现出明显的正相关性,这主要归因于凋落叶、细根基质质量对凋落叶分解速率和细根分解速率的影响具有明显的相似性。