暖温带落叶阔叶林辽东栎枝条分解过程中有机物质的变化

应用网袋法对暖温带地区广泛分布的乔木树种辽东栎（ＱｕｅｒｃｕｓｌｉａｏｔｕｎｇｅｎｓｉｓＫｏｉｄｚ．）枝条分解进行了连续５年时间的观察,并测定了凋落物在分解过程中有机质（纤维素、木质素、蛋白质）的变化。用Ｏｌｓｏｎ的指数方程对分解枝条重量的减少进行了模拟,并预测暖温带地区辽东栎枝条完全（９５％）分解需要约２１年的时间。在各有机成分含量的变化上,表现出明显不同的分异。蛋白质的含量随着分解过程的不断进行,从３．５％增加至５．５％,半纤维素则从１６．０％下降至８．０％,而粗纤维和木质素的含量出现了上下波动的情形。经过拟合,凋落物的丢失速率符合Ｏｌｓｏｎ的指数降解曲线,含量较大的粗纤维和木质素的减少也较好地符合Ｏｌｓｏｎ的指数降解曲线,半纤维素也可以用Ｏｌｓｏｎ指数方程拟合,但蛋白质的拟合效果较差。     

Studies on litter decomposition processes in a temperate forest ecosystem. I. Change of organic matter in oak (Quercus liaotungensis Koidz.) twigs

The litter bag method was used in this study on the decomposition of twigs of an oak (Quercus liaotungensis Koidz.) which is dominant in the warm temperate deciduous forests. This continual 5-year investigation was to measure the changes of organic compounds in twig litter. The decomposition of oak twigs based on rates of the mass loss during the first 5 years was simulated using the Olson exponential equation. The simulated data fitted well with the observed values. Oak twigs were predicted to reach 95% mass loss within 21 years. During the first 5 years, the concentration of protein in the remaining litter increased from 3.5% to 5.5%, while the concentration of hemicellulose decreased from 16.0% to 8.0%. However, there was no obvious change in the concentrations of lignin and cellulose. The losses of lignin, crude-cellulose and hemicellulose could be well simulated using the Olson exponential equation. However, this was not true for cellulose and protein.     

几种常微量元素在辽东栎枝条分解过程中的变化特征

应用分解网袋法 ,对暖温带落叶阔叶林主要优势树种辽东栎小枝进行连续 5a的分解研究 ,测定了 Ca、Mg、Cu、Zn和 Mn5种元素在凋落物分解过程中的含量和剩余百分率的变化 ,发现这两个指标在这几种元素之间既有一定的相似性 ,又有一定的差异。相似性表现在这几种元素在分解开始时 ,其含量都有一个不断上升的过程。但有的表现为不断上升( Ca和 Zn) ,而有的则在分解阶段的中期 ,已开始明显下降 ( Mg,Cu和 Mn)。从丢失速率常数上看 (根据 Olson的失重率常数 k) ,由于 Ca和 Cu在分解过程中的大量增加 ,因而用 Olson指数方程的拟合效果较差 ,而其它 3种元素用 Olson指数方程拟合结果相比较 ,发现 Mn的失重率略高于 Mg,而超过 Zn的 2倍。但这些元素的失重率都明显低于一些大量营养元素如 N、P、K的失重率     

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。     

滇中亚高山地带性植被凋落物分解对模拟氮沉降的响应

模拟氮(N)沉降对凋落物分解特征的影响对研究森林生态系统物质循环响应大气N沉降的内在机理和应对N沉降全球化具有重要意义。从2018年2月至2019年1月,对滇中亚高山常绿阔叶林(Evergreen broad-leaf forest)和高山栎林(Quercus semecarpifolia forest)两种地带性植被进行模拟N沉降试验,利用尼龙网袋法对两种林型凋落叶和凋落枝进行原位分解试验,N沉降处理水平分别为对照CK(Control check, 0 g N m^-2 a^-1)、低氮LN(Low nitrogen, 5 g N m^-2 a^-1)、中氮MN(Medium nitrogen, 15 g N m^-2 a^-1)和高氮HN(High nitrogen, 30 g N m^-2 a^-1)。结果表明:常绿阔叶林凋落叶和凋落枝分解率分别为44.84%和21.96%,均高于高山栎林的35.97%(凋落叶)和17.5...     

辽东栎枝条分解过程中几种主要营养元素的变化

 应用分解网袋法,对暖温带落叶阔叶林主要优势树种辽东栎小枝进行连续5年的分解研究,测定了C、N、K、P和Na5种元素在凋落物分解过程中的含量和剩余百分率的变化,发现这两个指标在这几种元素之间有很大的差异。从丢失速率上看(根据Olson的失重率常数k),K元素的丢失速率明显高于其它4种元素;而从这几种元素含量变化的格局上看,K的含量在整个5年的分解过程中是不断降低的,C也有这样的趋势,N的含量有不断上升的趋势,而P和Na则表现为先升高后降低的趋势。     

Mass loss and nitrogen dynamics in decomposing acid forest litter in the Netherlands at increased nitrogen deposition

Litterbag experiments were carried out in five forest ecosystems in the Netherlands to study weight loss and nitrogen dynamics during the first two years of decomposition of leaf and needle litter. All forests were characterized by a relatively high atmospheric nitrogen input by throughfall, ranging from 22–55 kg N ha^–1 yr^–1.Correlation analysis of all seven leaf and needle litters revealed no significant relation between the measured litter quality indices (nitrogen and lignin concentration, lignin-to-nitrogen ratio) and the decomposition rate. A significant linear relation was found between initial lignin-to-nitrogen ratio and critical nitrogen concentration, suggesting an effect of litter quality on nitrogen dynamics.Comparison of the decomposition of oak leaves in a nitrogen-limited and a nitrogen-saturated forest suggested an increased nitrogen availability. The differences in capacities to retain atmospheric nitrogen inputs between these two sites could be explained by differences in net nitrogen immobilization in first year decomposing oak leaves: in the nitrogen-limited oak forest a major part (55%) of the nitrogen input by throughfall was immobilized in the first year oak leaf litter.The three coniferous forests consisted of two monocultures of Douglas fir and a mixed stand of Douglas fir and Scots pine. Despite comparable litter quality in the Douglas fir needles in all sites, completely different nitrogen dynamics were found.     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区苦竹林凋落物基质质量的影响

凋凋落物基质质量是影响凋落物分解速率的决定性因子之一,本研究旨在探究模拟氮沉降对苦竹林凋落物基质质量的影响。2007年11月至2010年12月每月一次连续对华西雨屏区苦竹人工林进行了模拟氮沉降试验,施氮水平分别为：低氮（5 g N?m–2?a–1）,中氮（15 g N?m–2?a–1）和高氮（30 g N?m–2?a–1）。在施氮2 a后,于2010年1月开始收集各样方的凋落物样品,连续收集12个月,分析测定凋落物基质质量。结果表明：施氮显著增加了凋落叶中N、P元素含量,中氮处理显著增加了凋落枝中N元素含量,中氮和高氮处理均显著增加了凋落枝中P元素含量;施氮对凋落物中C元素含量影响很微弱,显著降低了凋落叶中的C/N,中氮处理显著降低了凋落枝中的C/N,对木质素和纤维素含量均未造成显著影响。由于模拟氮沉降增加了苦竹凋落物的N、P含量,降低了其C/N,因此氮沉降可能会促进苦竹凋落物的初期分解速率。     

Decomposition of [C]Lignocelluloses of Spartina alterniflora and a Comparison with Field Experiments

Decomposition of lignocelluloses from Spartina alterniflora in salt-marsh sediments was measured by using C-labeled compounds. Rates of decomposition were fastest in the first 4 days of incubation and declined later. Lignins labeled in side chains were mineralized slightly faster than uniformly labeled lignins; 12% of the [side chain-C]lignin-labeled lignocellulose was mineralized after 816 h of incubation, whereas only 8% of the [U-C]lignin-labeled lignocelluloses were degraded during this period. The carbohydrate moiety within the lignocellulose complex was degraded about four times faster than the lignin moiety; after 816 h of incubation, 29 to 37% of the carbohydrate moiety had been mineralized. Changes in concentration of lignin and cellulose in litter of S. alterniflora were followed over 2 years of decay. Cellulose disappeared from litter more rapidly than lignin; 50% of the initial content of cellulose was lost after 130 days, whereas lignin required 330 to 380 days for 50% loss. The slow loss of lignin compared with other litter components resulted in a progressive enrichment of litter in lignin content. The rates of mineralization of [C]lignocelluloses in marsh sediments were similar to the rates of lignocellulose decomposition in litter on the marsh.     

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.     

降水量变化对蒙古栎落叶分解过程的间接影响

分析了在4种不同降水量条件下蒙古栎叶凋落物基质质量的变化,并应用分解袋法研究其凋落物在蒙古栎次生林内的分解过程.结果表明：与对照相比,降水量减少条件下,蒙古栎叶凋落物的初始N、P、K浓度显著升高,初始木质素浓度显著降低,凋落物分解速率大,N、P、K矿化率高,N和P固持时间缩短;降水量增加情况下,其凋落物初始N浓度显著降低、木质素浓度显著升高,N、P、K矿化率低,N和P固持时间延长.4种类型叶片凋落物的质量损失过程均符合指数降解模型,分解速率可以由凋落物木质素/N来预测.相关性分析显示,木质素浓度高、N浓度低的两种凋落物的分解速率与N浓度相关性最大;而木质素浓度低、N浓度高的两种凋落物的分解速率与木质素浓度相关性最大.说明降水量的变化显著地改变了蒙古栎叶凋落物的基质质量,进而间接地改变了凋落物的分解过程.     

降水量变化对蒙古栎落叶分解过程的间接影响

分析了在4种不同降水量条件下蒙古栎叶凋落物基质质量的变化,并应用分解袋法研究其凋落物在蒙古栎次生林内的分解过程.结果表明：与对照相比,降水量减少条件下,蒙古栎叶凋落物的初始N、P、K浓度显著升高,初始木质素浓度显著降低,凋落物分解速率大,N、P、K矿化率高,N和P固持时间缩短;降水量增加情况下,其凋落物初始N浓度显著降低、木质素浓度显著升高,N、P、K矿化率低,N和P固持时间延长.4种类型叶片凋落物的质量损失过程均符合指数降解模型,分解速率可以由凋落物木质素/N来预测.相关性分析显示,木质素浓度高、N浓度低的两种凋落物的分解速率与N浓度相关性最大;而木质素浓度低、N浓度高的两种凋落物的分解速率与木质素浓度相关性最大.说明降水量的变化显著地改变了蒙古栎叶凋落物的基质质量,进而间接地改变了凋落物的分解过程.     

Decomposition of [14C]Lignocelluloses of Spartina alterniflora and a Comparison with Field Experiments

Decomposition of lignocelluloses from Spartina alterniflora in salt-marsh sediments was measured by using ¹⁴C-labeled compounds. Rates of decomposition were fastest in the first 4 days of incubation and declined later. Lignins labeled in side chains were mineralized slightly faster than uniformly labeled lignins; 12% of the [side chain-¹⁴C]lignin-labeled lignocellulose was mineralized after 816 h of incubation, whereas only 8% of the [U-¹⁴C]lignin-labeled lignocelluloses were degraded during this period. The carbohydrate moiety within the lignocellulose complex was degraded about four times faster than the lignin moiety; after 816 h of incubation, 29 to 37% of the carbohydrate moiety had been mineralized. Changes in concentration of lignin and cellulose in litter of S. alterniflora were followed over 2 years of decay. Cellulose disappeared from litter more rapidly than lignin; 50% of the initial content of cellulose was lost after 130 days, whereas lignin required 330 to 380 days for 50% loss. The slow loss of lignin compared with other litter components resulted in a progressive enrichment of litter in lignin content. The rates of mineralization of [¹⁴C]lignocelluloses in marsh sediments were similar to the rates of lignocellulose decomposition in litter on the marsh.     

荒漠草原4种典型植物群落枯落物分解速率及影响因素

测定荒漠草原甘草、赖草、蒙古冰草以及黑沙蒿等植物群落枯落物分解过程中质量损失量分析荒漠草原枯落物分解速,同时通过枯落物自身化学成份、含水率的测定,结合气候因子进行偏相关分析,探讨荒漠草原枯落物分解的影响因素。结果表明:荒漠草原4种植物群落枯落物的质量累积损失率随分解时间的延长而增加,但枯落物分解的质量损失量与时间并不呈线性相关;4种群落枯落物质量损失量大小依次均为:甘草群落赖草群落蒙古冰草群落黑沙蒿群落;荒漠草原枯落物分解采用单指数衰减的Olson模型拟合效果较好,4种植物群落中甘草群落枯落物分解最快,黑沙蒿群落分解最慢;蒙古冰草、赖草和甘草群落枯落物中N、P、K的含量显著高于黑沙蒿群落,但是C、木质素、纤维素、C/N、木质素/N和纤维素/N值则显著低于黑沙蒿群落枯落物,蒙古冰草群落、甘草群落、赖草群落和黑沙蒿群落4种群落枯落物分解速率(k)与枯落物初始N、P、K含量均呈显著正相关;偏相关分析表明,4种植物群落枯落物分解速率与降雨量、枯落物自身含水量的偏相关系数达显著水平,其余因子偏相关系数均未达显著水平。结合上述研究可以确定荒漠草原枯落物分解50%所需时间为2—5a,分解95%需8—24a。     

Early stage litter decomposition rates for Swiss forests

The decomposition of belowground and aboveground tree litter was studied on five forest sites across Switzerland, ranging from 480 to 1500 m in altitude, and including calcareous and acidic soils. In addition to decomposition of local litter types (Picea abies, Fagus sylvatica, Castanea sativa), the decomposition of a standard beech litter was studied on all sites. After 2 years of decomposition, mass loss ranged from 18 to 71% across the different sites and litter types. The lowest decomposition rates were observed for beech roots, while mass loss was greatest for both spruce needles and spruce roots at the low-altitude site. Mass loss during the first winter correlated best with the content of water-soluble substances. After 1 year of incubation, mass loss of the standard litter varied less than did mass loss of local litter, but variance increased during the second year for aboveground litter. These observations indicate a smaller climatic influence on litter breakdown at the beginning of the decomposition process. Litter mass loss could be described using an exponential model with a decay constant depending on either lignin/N ratio or Mn content of the litter and annual soil temperature and throughfall precipitation as climatic variables. Modelling the observed mass loss indicated a strong influence of litter quality in the first 2 years of decomposition, confirming the field data from the standard litter experiment. The experiment will continue for some years and is expected to yield additional data on long-term decomposition.     

Exposure to solar UV-B radiation accelerates mass and lignin loss of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larrea tridentata</Emphasis> litter in the Sonoran Desert

We assessed whether exposure to solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) affects the mass loss of Larrea tridentata (creosotebush) litter in the Sonoran Desert of central Arizona. We placed three types of litter (leaves, twigs, or a natural mixture of leaves, twigs, and seeds) in bags constructed of UV-B-transmitting or UV-B-absorbing filter material that allowed either 85% (near-ambient UV-B treatment) or 15% (reduced UV-B treatment) of the biologically effective solar UV-B to reach litter inside the bags. Bags were placed outdoors for 4–5 months during the winter at two sites: a balcony or on the soil surface of the desert. Mass loss of leaf litter was greater under near-ambient UV-B than reduced UV-B at both sites: 21 (near-ambient) vs. 18% (reduced) on the balcony, and 18 vs. 14% at the desert site. Mass loss of twig litter was also greater under near-ambient UV-B at the desert site. Mass loss of the natural mixture of litter was also greater when exposed to near-ambient UV-B on the balcony, and tended to be greater at the desert site. We estimate that about 14–22% of the total mass loss of leaf litter during our 4–5 month experiments was attributable to solar UV-B exposure. Leaf litter exposed to near-ambient UV-B had lower concentrations of lignin, and fats and lipids, and slightly higher concentrations of holocellulose. The greater mass loss of litter under near-ambient UV-B appeared mainly attributable to loss of lignin, although losses of fats and lipids were also appreciable. A primary reason for greater mass loss of litter under solar UV-B appeared to be photodegradation, particularly of lignin.     

模拟氮沉降和降雨对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落物分解的影响

从2013年11月至2015年5月,采用凋落物分解袋法,设置了对照(CK)、氮沉降(N)、减雨(R)、增雨(A)、氮沉降+减雨(NR)、氮沉降+增雨(NA)6个处理水平,研究了模拟氮沉降和降雨对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落物分解的影响。结果表明:华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解较快,凋落枝分解较慢;凋落物夏季分解较快,其他季节分解较慢。经过18个月的分解后,凋落叶和枝的质量残留率分别为45.86%和86.67%,凋落叶分解50%需要的时间为1.42 a,比枝短6.19 a。各处理凋落物叶分解系数表现为:k(A)k(CK)k(NA)k(N)k(R)k(NR),凋落枝质量残留率表现为:NNRRNACKA。模拟氮沉降、减雨和增雨处理凋落叶分解50%分别需要1.79、1.94a和1.36a,凋落枝分解50%分别需要8.84、8.63 a和6.47 a。各处理凋落叶分解95%需要5.37—11.33 a,凋落枝分解95%需要27.41—33.84 a。同一氮沉降条件下,增雨处理促进凋落叶分解,减雨处理抑制凋落叶分解;同一降雨条件下,氮沉降抑制凋落叶分解。氮沉降或降雨对凋落物的分解产生显著影响(P0.05),其交互作用影响不显著(P0.05)。可见,在氮沉降持续增加和降雨格局改变的背景下,增雨促进了华西雨屏区天然常绿阔叶林凋落物的分解,氮沉降和减雨抑制了凋落物的分解,模拟氮沉降和降雨对凋落物的分解交互作用表现不明显。     

Lignin Degradation in Foliar Litter of Two Shrub Species from the Gap Center to the Closed Canopy in an Alpine Fir Forest

To understand the effects of forest gaps on lignin degradation during shrub foliar litter decomposition, a field litterbag experiment was conducted in an alpine fir (Abies faxoniana) forest of the eastern Tibet Plateau. Dwarf bamboo (Fargesia nitida) and willow (Salix paraplesia) foliar litterbags were placed on the forest floor from the gap center to the closed canopy. The litterbags were sampled during snow formation, snow coverage, snow melting and the growing season from October 2010 to October 2012. The lignin concentrations and loss in the litter were measured. Over 2 years, lignin loss was lower in the bamboo litter (34.64–43.89%) than in the willow litter (38.91–55.10%). In the bamboo litter, lignin loss mainly occurred during the first decomposition year, whereas it occurred during the second decomposition year in the willow litter. Both bamboo and willow litter lignin loss decreased from the gap center to the closed canopy during the first year and over the entire 2-year decomposition period. Compared with the closed canopy, the gap center showed higher lignin loss for both bamboo and willow litter during the two winters, but lower lignin loss during the early growing period. Additionally, the dynamics of microbial biomass carbon during litter decomposition followed the same trend as litter lignin loss during the two winters and growing period. These results indicated that alpine forest gaps had significant effects on shrub litter lignin loss and that reduced snow cover during winter warming would inhibit shrub lignin degradation in this alpine forest.     

长白山阔叶红松林主要树种凋落叶分解速率及其与叶性状的关系

阔叶红松林是我国东北地区地带性顶级森林群落,对维持区域生态系统稳定性具有重要作用。对阔叶红松林内主要树种凋落叶分解过程及影响因素进行研究,有助于增加长白山阔叶红松林生态系统的基础数据,为明确阔叶红松林的养分循环和物质流动提供依据。选取了长白山阔叶红松林内30个常见乔灌树种和16个凋落叶性状,采用野外分解袋法和室内样品分析等方法研究了长白山阔叶红松林内主要树种凋落叶分解速率及其与凋落叶性状的关系。1年的野外分解实验表明,30个树种的凋落叶重量损失率表现出较大差异。不同树种凋落叶的重量损失率在20.56%—92.11%之间,以红松(Pinus koraiensis)质量损失率最低,东北山梅花(Philadelphus schrenkii)质量损失率最高。不同生活型树种的凋落叶在质量损失率上存在显著差异,以灌木树种凋落叶的质量损失率最高,小乔木次之,乔木树种质量损失率最低。Olson模型拟合结果表明,不同树种凋落叶的分解速率k以红松最低,瘤枝卫矛(Euonymus verrucosus)最高,分别为0.24和1.64。不同树种分解50%和95%所需的时间分别在0.43—2.86年,1.83—...     

Are functional traits and litter decomposability coordinated across leaves,twigs and wood? A test using temperate rainforest tree species

Synthesis This study compared the decomposability of leaf, twig and wood litter from 27 co‐occurring temperate rainforest tree species in New Zealand. We found that interspecific variation in decomposition was not coordinated across the three litter types. Analysis of the relationships between functional traits and decomposition revealed that traits predictive of wood decomposition varied among the species independently from traits predictive of the decomposition of leaf and twig litter. We conclude that efforts to understand how tree species influence C, N and P dynamics in forested ecosystems through the decomposition pathway need to consider the functional traits of multiple plant structures. Plant functional traits are increasingly used to evaluate changes in ecological and ecosystem processes. However our understanding of how functional traits coordinate across different plant structures, and the implications for trait‐driven processes such as litter decomposition, remains limited. We compared the functional traits of green leaves and leaf, twig and wood litter among 27 co‐occurring tree species from New Zealand, and quantified the loss of mass, N and P from the three litter types during decomposition. We hypothesised that: a) the functional traits of green leaves, and leaf, twig and wood litter are co‐ordinated so that species which produce high quality leaves and leaf litter will also produce high quality twig and wood litter, and b) the decomposability of leaf, twig and wood litter is coordinated because breakdown of all three litter types is driven by similar combinations of traits. Trait variation across species was co‐ordinated between leaves, twigs and wood when angiosperm and gymnosperm species were considered in combination, or when angiosperms were considered separately, but trait coordination was poor for gymnosperms. There was little coordination among the three litter types in their decomposability, especially when angiosperms and gymnosperms were considered separately; this was caused by the decomposability of each of the three litter types, at least partially, being driven by different functional traits or trait combinations. Our findings indicate that although interspecific variation in the functional traits of trees can be coordinated among leaves, twigs and wood, different or unrelated traits predict the decomposition of these different structures. Furthermore, leaf‐level analyses of functional traits are not satisfactory proxies for function of whole trees and related ecological processes. As such, efforts to understand how tree species influence C, N and P dynamics in forested ecosystems through the decomposition pathway need to consider functional traits of other plant structures.