Nest-site selection and predation in Savi's Warblers Locustella luscinioides

Capsule Savi's Warblers preferred sites dominated by high and dense Juncus and Rubus with thick litter, and avoided pure reeds; predation was higher in sites with less litter.

Aim To describe nest-site selection and identify which habitat and nest features influence predation risk.

Methods Comparisons were made between habitat characteristics measured at nest-sites and random points, and between predated and successful nests.

Results Total vegetation cover, litter thickness, habitat type, undergrowth height and undergrowth cover, which were higher or denser at nest-sites, were the most important variables influencing the distribution of Savi's Warbler nests. Nests were most often predated in sites with low litter thickness.

Conclusion Savi's Warblers are dependent on the presence of dense low vegetation and litter for nesting, which should be maintained close to or within reed-beds for their benefit.     

Litter and its interaction with standing vegetation affect seedling recruitment in Tibetan alpine grasslands

Background: Seedling recruitment is widely recognised to be important in the maintenance of diversity and coexistence of species. It is not clear how local abiotic factors mediated by litter and biotic interactions influence plant species recruitment in alpine grasslands.

Aims: To determine how litter and standing vegetation affected seedling recruitment in plant communities in Tibetan alpine grasslands.

Methods: Seedling recruitment was quantified in response to experimental treatments: (1) removal of standing vegetation and litter; (2) removal of standing vegetation with litter intact; (3) intact standing vegetation and removal of litter and (4) control: intact standing vegetation and litter.

Results: Litter removal increased seedling numbers, while standing vegetation removal had no effect. An interaction between litter and standing vegetation removal marginally increased seedling number. Species richness of seedlings was not related to either litter removal or standing vegetation removal. Species composition of seedling differed significantly between removal of both litter and standing vegetation and control.

Conclusions: Litter and its interaction with standing vegetation has an important role in affecting plant species recruitment in this alpine plant community. In contrast, biotic interactions, such as competition or facilitation from standing vegetation, appear to have only minor effects on recruitment.     

Succession of microfungi during Pistacia lentiscus litter decomposition in a Sardinian Mediterranean maquis

Abstract

Changes in the microfungal community developing on Pistacia lentiscus L. leaf litter were monitored from February 2001 (senescent leaves) to December 2002 using litter bags. The Principal component analysis of the 16 samples showed a microfungal succession related to the progressive decomposition of the substratum. The Correspondence analysis of fungal colonizers with Rf > 10 revealed three main groups succeeding during the study period. The co-occurrence relationships (on the same leaf) among the major colonizers were analysed. The specialized saprotrophs on P. lentiscus litter: Asterostomella sp. 1 and Endophragmiella boewei were identified as principal colonizers in the mature community.     

Fustiserphus (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupidae) parasitises Lepidoptera in leaf litter in New Zealand

Abstract

The New Zealand proctotrupid Fustiserphus intrudens (Smith) was reared from two species of Tingena (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) feeding on leaf litter in Nothofagus forest. Host relationships in the Proctotrupidae are discussed.     

The effect of herbaceous litter on bryophyte growth

Abstract

Shoots of Brachythecium rutabulum, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiomnium undulatum, Pseudoscleropodium purum and Thuidium tamariscinum were allowed to grow in contact with litter of Urtica dioica, Succisa pratensis, Holcus lanatus, A venula pratensis, Pseudoscleropodium purum and soils of contrastee,-fertility. All the species were positively growth-stimulated when grown in contact with the stem litter of Urtica dioica and the fertile soil. The other treatments included did not enhance significantly the growth of the five bryophyte species. An attempt is made to relate these responses to the ecology of the species and the possible role that plant litter might exert upon bryophyte distribution in herbaceous vegetation.     

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus in the vicinity of Gabes-Ghannouch industrial complex

Abstract

The current study reports the effects of heavy metals issued from the emissions of phosphate and their bioaccumulation in the soils, leaf litter, and the terrestrial isopod Porcellionides pruinosus in the vicinity of Gabes-Ghannouch industrial complex. Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations were measured in soils, leaf litter, and P. pruinosus individuals, collected from four stations located at different distances from the factory. Results showed that heavy metal concentrations in soils varied from one site to another and did not reflect those measured in individuals. In contrast, a positive correlation was found between the isopods’ body length and the distance from the pollution source, revealing the isopod sensitivity to the soil metal concentrations. The bioaccumulation factor was calculated using soil and leaf litter as a solid support with the aim of ordering the metal accumulation in P. pruinosus for each site. Overall, P. pruinosus could be defined as a macroconcentrator of Cd, Zn, and Cu (BAF?>?2) and as a deconcentrator of Pb (BAF?<?1).     

Streptosporangium isolated from forest litter in the Netherlands

Summary The organism described byCouch asStreptosporangium was isolated from forest litter in the Netherlands and Denmark. The development of this organism is followed in detail. Tevens verschenen als Mededeling Nr.36 I.T.B.O.N.     

Inhibitory effects of Eucalyptus saligna leaf litter on grassland species: physical versus chemical factors

Background: In Southern Brazil, large areas of grassland have been replaced by Eucalyptus plantations. Vegetation is scarce under plantations which may be associated with Eucalyptus releasing of allelochemicals.

Aims: To investigate effects of Eucalyptus saligna leaf litter on the colonisation and development of the ground layer by grassland species and if these effects were related to allelopathy.

Methods: We assessed the effects of Eucalyptus litter on the establishment of species of the native grassland community and on seeded test species (Paspalum notatum and Lotus corniculatus – introduced). We tested the impact of the addition of E. saligna leaf litter, artificial leaves (shading and mechanical impediment) and shading. We also tested the phytotoxicity of the soil from E. saligna plantations.

Results: Species richness, diversity, plant height, cover and biomass were lower in E. saligna leaves and artificial leaves treatments than in the control (absence of litter). The test species showed lower biomass and higher mortality in treatment plots with E. saligna leaves, artificial leaves and shading treatments than in the control. Allelochemicals did not accumulate in soil at phytotoxic levels.

Conclusions: Eucalyptus saligna leaf litter suppresses the establishment of grassland vegetation, but the effects are mainly physical. Field evaluations with appropriate controls should be more extensively used in allelopathy investigations.     

半干旱草地不同植物枯落物分解对放牧和封育的响应

为探究放牧和封育对半干旱草地植物枯落物分解的影响,选取赖草、牛枝子及其混合物为研究对象,调查了不同网孔分解袋中宁夏半干旱草地植物枯落物分解特征及对放牧和封育的响应规律。结果表明：（1）放牧样地250目网孔中,枯落物质量残留率表现为牛枝子显著高于赖草和混合物（P<0.05）,而在放牧样地30目网孔、封育样地2种网孔中,枯落物质量残留率均表现为3种枯落物间无显著差异。（2）250目网孔中,放牧和封育样地枯落物分解衰减常数均表现为混合物显著高于牛枝子,而赖草居中;并且,牛枝子枯落物分解衰减常数表现为封育样地显著高于放牧样地。30目网孔中,放牧和封育样地枯落物分解衰减常数均表现为赖草、混合物显著高于牛枝子（P<0.05）;并且,牛枝子枯落物分解衰减常数表现为封育样地显著高于放牧样地（P<0.05）。（3）在放牧样地,仅牛枝子枯落物R_m表现为30目显著低于250目网孔（P<0.05）,k表现为30目显著高于250目网孔（P<0.05）;土壤动物对枯落物分解的贡献率表现为混合物显著低于牛枝子,赖草居中（P<0.05）。而在封育样地,仅牛枝子枯落物k表现为30目显著高于250目网孔（P<0.05）;土壤动物对枯落物分解的贡献率表现为混合物和牛枝子均显著高于赖草,且混合枯落物的土壤动物贡献率表现为封育样地显著高于放牧样地（P<0.05）。（4）枯落物残留率与其初始N、P、木质素/N、C/P呈显著相关性（P<0.05）;枯落物分解衰减常数与其初始N、P、木质素、N/P、C/P和木质素/P间均呈显著相关性（P<0.05）。研究表明,植物种类组成显著影响枯落物的残留率和分解衰减常数。放牧与封育管理通过影响网孔中土壤动物分布来调控半干旱区草地植物枯落物的分解,而且封育管理更有利于促进土壤动物对低质量枯落物（牛枝子）的分解。     

The influence of crabs on litter processing in high intertidal mangrove forests in tropical Australia

Summary Measurements of litter fall and litter removal by crabs, in conjunction with estimates of litter decay by microbes and tidal export of litter from three high-intertidal mangrove forests were made during a year-long study in tropical northeastern Australia. In forests dominated by Ceriops tagal and Bruguiera exaristata, litter standing stocks remained low on the forest floor (mean 6 g·m^-2), although litter fall was high; 822 and 1022 g·m^-2·y^-1, respectively. Sesarmid crabs removed 580 (Ceriops) and 803 (Bruguiera) g·m^-2·y^-1, or 71 and 79%, of the total annual litter fall from the forest floor. Relative to the rate of litter removal by crabs, microbial turnover of whole, unshredded litter was insignificant, accounting for <1% of annual litter fall. Export of litter by tides was estimated to remove 194 (Ceriops) and 252 (Bruguiera) g·m^-2·y^-1 or 24 and 25% of annual litter fall. In a forest dominated by Avicenniamarina, in which an ocypodid crab was more abundant than sesarmids, litter standing stocks were higher (mean 84 g·m^-2) and crabs removed less litter; 173 g·m^-2·y^-1 or 33% of the annual litter fall of 519 g·m^-2·y^-1. Microbial turnover of intact litter was more important in the Avicennia forest (168 g·m^-2·y^-1 or 32% of annual litter fall), and tides exported 107 g·m^-2·y^-1 or 21% of litter production. In areas where sesarmid crabs were absent or rare in Ceriops forests, there were significantly higher standing stocks of litter and slower rates of leaf removal. Taking into account the probable assimilation efficiencies of sesarmid crabs feeding on mangrove leaves, we estimate that in Ceriops and Bruguiera forests leaf processing by crabs turns litter over at >75 times the rate of microbial decay alone, thus facilitating the high sediment bacterial productivity in these forests. The importance of litter processing by crabs increases with height in the intertidal in tropical Australia, in contrast to New World mangrove forests, where the reverse is true.Contribution No. 445 from the Australian Institute of Marine Science     

Seed and microsite limitation in Rheum nobile,a rare and endemic plant from the subnival zone of Sino-Himalaya

Background: Species persistence, particularly in monocarpic species, depends on the successful recruitment of individuals. An understanding of the factors that limit the recruitment of rare monocarpic plant species is therefore vital for their conservation.

Aims: To identify the factors limiting the recruitment of Rheum nobile, a rare and highly specialised monocarpic giant herb endemic to the high eastern Himalayas.

Methods: Seed sowing (seeds added or not added) and seedling transplanting experiments were conducted in disturbed (vegetation removed) and undisturbed plots in the vicinity of established populations of R. nobile to explore the mechanisms of recruitment limitation. Four levels of photosynthetically active radiation (0, 15, 30 and 50 μmol m^?2 s^?1) and two sowing positions (beneath and above grass litter or moss layer) were manipulated in the laboratory to determine how ground cover limited seedling emergence.

Results: Seed addition increased seedling recruitment. Disturbance significantly increased seedling emergence and establishment. Seed germination significantly decreased with the reduction of light availability, but 31.7% of all seeds germinated in complete darkness. Seedling emergence was close to zero when seeds were sown on top of a layer of grass litter or moss, but rose to 34.5% when the seeds were sown beneath such layers.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that the recruitment of R. nobile is limited by a combination of seed and microsite availability. Therefore, in order to conserve this species, we suggest adding seeds to suitable sites and implementing soil disturbances in existing populations to create suitable microsites.     

Two new Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes from humid tropic forest litter

Abstract

Two Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes, Beltraniella lyrata and Beltraniopsis fabularis, found on tropical forest litter in the Tai National Park in Ivory Coast are proposed as new species and described.     

Litter accumulation and biomass dynamics in riparian zones in tropical South America of the Asian invasive plant Hedychium coronarium J. König (Zingiberaceae)

ABSTRACT

Background: Promoting changes in abiotic conditions and ecosystem processes, such as decomposition, is a mechanism by which some exotic plant species displace native plants and become invasive.

Aims: We monitored ramets of Hedychium coronarium over 30 months to estimate the litter decay rate, biomass dynamics and litter accumulation over time in riparian sites invaded by the species in southeastern Brazil.

Methods: We measured the number, height, emergence and mortality of ramets in three environments invaded by H. coronarium (natural, rural and urban). We also measured litter decay in situ and in in vitro experiments. We used sinusoidal models to describe height fluctuation and exponential models to simulate litter decay and litter accumulation.

Results: Ramets of H. coronarium showed high seasonal variation in terms of height and emergence, as well as low litter decay. Accordingly, our models predicted high litter production and a seasonal pattern of litter accumulation in invaded sites.

Conclusions: H. coronarium produces a great amount of litter, which shows slow decay and hence seems to affect decomposition processes. Investigating seasonal variation on the effects of invasive species on ecosystem functioning shed light on the factors driving the success and impact of invasive plants.     

Effects of the early stage of decomposition on change in carbon and nitrogen isotopes in Sphagnum litter

Abstract

Isotope and elemental composition of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) as well as its mass loss were measured for Sphagnum fuscum litter after one and two years of incubation in three different soil zones defined by the position of water table in a pristine Sphagnum-dominated peatland on the coast of western Canada. Mass losses were greater for the first year than for the second year, and the greatest loss was found in the oxic zone closest to the peatland surface. Early stage of decomposition clearly affected isotope signatures in Sphagnum litter. Litter δ¹³C values significantly decreased after the first year of incubation. The depletion of ¹³C content during the first year might be related to the loss of more isotopically enriched soluble constituents coupled with the large mass loss. Litter δ¹⁵N values significantly increased after the first year of incubation in spite of the large mass loss. Litters incubated in the oxic zone had the greatest mass loss and ¹⁵N enrichment, suggesting that the enrichment was the result of interactions with soil microbes and preferential loss of lighter N. Conversely, litters incubated in the anoxic zone had smaller mass loss and the amount of N significantly increased, suggesting that the incorporation of bacterial biomass might also contribute to the ¹⁵N enrichment. The ¹⁵N enrichment trend continued in the second year, but the change was not significant as the first year. Increases in the δ¹⁵N values with depth in the near surface Sphagnum peat core suggests that the enrichment trend of litter ¹⁵N abundance with age is likely to continue for much longer periods than observed over the two-year period of this study.     

Effects of leaf litter species on macroinvertebrate community properties and mosquito yield in Neotropical tree hole microcosms

Detritus quality and quantity affect macroinvertebrate productivity and distribution in many freshwater ecosystems. This study experimentally investigated the effects of leaf litter from Ceiba pentandra, Dipteryx panamensis, Ficus yoponensis, and Platypodium elegans on macroinvertebrate species composition, richness, and abundance in artificial water-filled tree holes in a lowland moist forest of Panama. Species composition was similar among treatments, but species richness and longevity differed among litter types and were consistently highest with Platypodium litter. Similar patterns were observed in natural tree holes of the focal tree species. The mosquito Culex mollis was the most abundant species in the field experiment. Average conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentration differed among leaf species, but pH did not. Leaf toughness was positively correlated with mean macroinvertebrate abundance and cumulative species richness. A laboratory experiment measured C. mollis yield and pupation time in tree hole microcosms containing the four litter species. Cumulative mosquito mass and time to pupation differed among leaf litter species, with Platypodium litter supporting the greatest yield. Pupation was slowest on Ceiba litter. Grazing by mosquito larvae facilitated leaf decomposition in all treatments. Results suggest that differences in macroinvertebrate species richness and mosquito yield can be attributed to differences in nutritional quality among litter species. Received: 14 October 1998 / Accepted: 21 February 1999     

中国西南季风常绿阔叶林不同恢复阶段凋落物动态分析

为探索季风常绿阔叶林不同恢复阶段群落凋落物产量及其动态变化规律,于云南普洱地区通过设置凋落物承接网并定期收集网内的凋落物,对中国西南季风常绿阔叶林区不同恢复阶段群落凋落物产量及其动态变化进行研究。结果表明:(1)不同恢复阶段季风常绿阔叶林年凋落物总量在8 133.1~8 798.3kg/hm2之间,年凋落物总量大小关系为恢复30年群落老龄林群落恢复40年群落。其中叶凋落量最高,其次为枝凋落量,两者贡献量超过总凋落量的3/4。(2)季风常绿阔叶林不同恢复阶段群落中凋落物随时间的动态变化趋势大致相同,2月份达到高峰值,随后逐渐减少,在9月份降至最低,随后又有所升高,为单峰或多峰曲线;在不同凋落物组分凋落量时间动态上,不同恢复阶段群落叶凋落量随月份变化均为单峰曲线;枝凋落量在恢复群落中为单峰曲线,而在老龄林中则为多峰曲线;皮凋落量随月份的变化在恢复30年及老龄林群落间均为单峰曲线,但在恢复40年群落中为平缓曲线,月份间变化不大;繁殖体凋落物在恢复30年及老龄林群落间均为多峰曲线,但在恢复40年群落中为单峰曲线;半分解物凋落量在恢复30年及老龄林群落中随月份呈单峰曲线,在恢复40年群落中则为多峰曲线。(3)在短刺栲、刺栲和红木荷3种优势物种中,短刺栲叶片年凋落量在所有群落中均最大(分别占恢复30年群落的53.93%、恢复40年群落的47.83%、老龄林的28.32%),红木荷次之(分别占恢复30年群落的8.45%、恢复40年群落的10.71%、老龄林的31.69%),刺栲最少(分别占恢复30年群落的6.1%、恢复40年群落的7.53%、老龄林的6.36%)。短刺栲叶凋落量随月份的变化在恢复群落中呈单峰曲线,而在老龄林中则呈现多峰曲线;红木荷在3种群落中则均为单峰曲线;刺栲则是在恢复30年及老龄林中呈单峰曲线,而在恢复40年群落中呈多峰曲线。     

氮添加对中亚热带杜鹃灌丛凋落物生产和叶分解的影响

凋落物的生产和分解是生态系统养分循环的重要过程,受到大气氮沉降的深刻影响。但目前相关研究主要集中于森林和草地生态系统,氮沉降对灌丛生态系统凋落物养分归还的影响规律尚不清楚。因此选择亚热带分布广泛的杜鹃灌丛为研究对象,进行了为期两年的模拟氮沉降试验。试验设置4个处理:对照(CK, 0 g m-2 a-1)、低氮(LN, 2 g m-2 a-1)、中氮(MN, 5 g m-2 a-1)和高氮(HN, 10 g m-2 a-1)。结果显示:CK、LN、MN和HN 4种处理下,群落年平均凋落物量分别为(1936.54±358.9)、(2541.89±112.5)、(2342.97±519.8)、(2087.22±391.8) kg/hm²,LN、MN和HN处理样地的凋落量分别比对照样地高出32.68%、21.16%和7.93%;凋落叶、花果、凋落枝和其他组分占总凋落量的比例分别为75.75%、15.09%、7.70%和1.45%,不同浓度氮处理下各组分的凋落量均高于对照样地;凋落物组分表现出明显的季节动态:凋落叶在10—11月份达到峰值,凋落枝在10月份达到峰值,花果凋落物则在5月份凋落量最高,不同氮处理下凋落物的季节动态基本一致;白檀凋落叶分解速率显著高于杜鹃,二者分解95%所需时间分别为5.08—11.11 a和7.69—17.65 a,施氮使白檀凋落叶分解周期比对照样地缩短18.18%—54.28%;凋落叶分解过程中,N元素表现为富集-释放模式,P元素表现为富集模式。研究表明,氮添加能够促进群落中白檀凋落叶分解及N、P元素的释放,说明施氮可以调节凋落叶养分释放模式,对灌丛生态系统的养分循环具有调控作用。     

马尾松林两种林下植被土壤碳氮特征及其与凋落物质量的关系

以飞播马尾松林为研究对象,通过典型样地调查和样品测定,采用配对样本t检验和冗余分析（RDA）方法分析芒萁类和禾草类两种林下植被类型土壤碳、氮特征及其与凋落物质量之间的关系。结果表明：（1）土壤有机碳、微生物量碳、可溶性有机碳、全氮、速效氮、微生物量氮和可溶性有机氮含量在0-10、10-20 cm土层均表现为禾草类显著高于芒萁类（P < 0.05）,而在20-40、40-80 cm土层两种植被类型碳氮指标的大小未表现出相同的变化规律,且差异不显著（P > 0.05）。（2）两种植被类型凋落物半分解和未分解层的C含量及C/N值均表现为芒萁类显著高于禾草类（P < 0.05）,而N含量则表现为禾草类显著高于芒萁类（P < 0.05）;同一植被类型的未分解层C含量及C/N值均显著大于半分解层,N含量则半分解层显著大于未分解层（P < 0.05）。（3）0-10 cm土层两种类型凋落物C/N值和C含量均与土壤碳氮各指标呈显著负相关（P < 0.05）,N含量与土壤碳氮各指标的相关性不显著（P > 0.05）;10-20 cm土层,芒萁类的半分解层C/N值与土壤碳氮各指标存在显著相关性（P < 0.05）,禾草类的凋落物C含量与土壤碳氮各指标也存在显著相关性（P < 0.01）。林下植被凋落物C/N值越小,其分解速率越快,有利于土壤养分的积累,禾草类凋落物C/N值低于芒萁类是导致其土壤碳氮指标高于芒萁类的重要原因。     

The effect of increased temperature and nitrogen deposition on decomposition in bogs

Despite their low primary production, ombrotrophic peatlands have a considerable potential to store atmospheric carbon as a result of their extremely low litter decomposition rates. Projected changes in temperature and nitrogen (N) deposition may increase decomposition rates by their positive effects on microbial activity and litter quality, which can be expected to result in enhanced mass loss and N release from Sphagnum and vascular plant litter. This is the first study that examines the combined effects of increased temperature and N deposition on decomposition in bogs. We investigated mass loss and N release at four bog sites along a gradient from north Sweden to northeast Germany in which both temperature and N deposition increased from north to south. We performed two litterbag experiments: one reciprocal experiment with Eriophorum vaginatum litter and one experiment using recalcitrant (Sphagnum fuscum) and more degradable (Sphagnum balticum) Sphagnum litter collected from the most northern site. We measured mass loss and N release during two (Sphagnum) and three (E. vaginatum) years. The N concentration and decomposability of the E. vaginatum litter did not differ between the sites. Mass loss from E. vaginatum litter increased over the gradient from north to south, but there was no such effect on Sphagnum litter. N loss of all litter types was affected by collection site, incubation site and time and all interactions between these factors. N release in Sphagnum was positively related to N concentration. We conclude that decomposition of vascular plants and Sphagnum litter is influenced by different environmental drivers, with enhanced temperatures stimulating mass loss of vascular plant litter, but not of Sphagnum. Enhanced N deposition increases Sphagnum litter N loss. As long‐term consequences of climate change will presumably entail a higher vascular plant production, overall litter decomposition rates are likely to increase, especially in combination with increased temperature.