Rates of litterfall and organic matter turnover at three South Australian indigenous forest sites

A quantitative study of the litterfall rate, litter mass and the organic carbon content of litter and soil at three South Australian low open-forests was made monthly for 2 years. The soil and dominant vegetation at the sites were similar, but the mean annual rainfall differed; 635, 690 and 1050 mm respectively at the ‘dry’, ‘medium’ and ‘wet’ sites. Mean annual litterfall at the dry, medium and wet sites was 114, 205 and 233 g m^?2 respectively, and the mean mass of the litter layer was 885, 1153 and 858 g m^?2 Leafy material formed 82% of the litterfall at each site and maximum fall occurred in the summer. Leafy material formed 64–68% of the three litter layers and there was no general pattern of seasonal change of mass. The data obtained were used to calculate the half-life (T_1/2 of the litter, the values were 5.4, 3.9 and 2.6 years respectively at the dry, medium and wet sites. The values from the medium and wet sites fit within the range previously recorded for other open-forests and low open-forests, but indicate an extremely slow rate of decomposition at the dry site, which was located close to open-scrubland. The amounts of organic carbon in the 0–8 cm layer of soil at the dry, medium and wet sites were 777, 928and 950 g m^-2 respectively. However, without a detailed investigation of the source of soil carbon, these values could only be used to show that the organic carbon store to a depth of 8 cm is equivalent to 9–15 times the annual litterfall input.     

Decomposition and accumulation of litter after fire in sub-alpine eucalypt forests

Accession, decomposition and accumulation of litter were studied in three sub-alpine eucalypt forest communities (dominated by overstoreys of Eucalyptus delegatensis, E. pauciflora or E. dives) located in the Brindabella Range. Australian Capital Territory, at an elevation of 1100–1250 m. The sites had either been protected from fire for more than 20 years or been burnt by low-intensity prescribed fires. After a prescribed burn, the rate of decomposition of abscised leaves was reduced by 22% in E. delegatensis forest and by 34% in E. pauciflora forest, but was little affected in the drier E. dives community. Lowered decomposition was apparently due to greater aridity after fire, a consequence of removal of the shading understorey and reduction in the depth and hence mulching effect of the titter layer. Litter accumulates rapidly after prescribed burning, reaching a mass of 10–12 t ha^?1 within 4–5 years in all communities. Such quantities are dangerous from a fire control viewpoint. The quasi steady-state mass of accumulated litter ranges from about 17 t ha^?1 in E. dives and E. pauciflora forests to about 25 t ha^?1 in old-growth E. delegatensis forests. The rapid re-accumulation of litter after fire is not the result of any significant change in litterfall rate, but is due to a marked reduction in the total amount of litter decomposing—and this reduction is more a consequence of a decrease in the weight of the forest floor than to any fire-induced lowering of the rate of litter decomposition. The rapid build-up of litter is a consequence of the relatively high rates of litterfall (3.4–5.0 t ha^?1 year^?1) and low rates of litter decomposition (k = 0.19–0.32 year^?1) in these forests. In most cases the pattern of litter accumulation was well described by an exponential equation of the form X_t= X_ss (1—e_-kt), where X_t is the weight (t ha_?1) of litter accumulated at time t (year). X_ss is the weight of litter accumulated under steady-state conditions, and k is a decomposition rate constant (year^?1). Marked temporal variations in annual litterfall and mass of accumulated litter were found at specific forest sites which had been unburnt for more than 4.5 years. Variation from the long-term mean was greater for litterfall (31–37%) than for accumulated litter (14–26%). The maximum error when calculating decomposition rate (k) as the ratio of annual litterfall: accumulated titter, when based on single measurements of these parameters, ranged from 43 to 69% of that based on long-term measurements. Decomposition rates of the entire titter layer, calculated for periods of 22–79 months, and based on measurements of litter input and change in mass of accumulated titter, were positively correlated with the average number of days per month during each period that the litter layer remained moist (>approx. 60% ODW). The implications of these findings for fire management planning in sub-alpine and other eucalypt forests are briefly discussed.     

Litterfall dynamics in a mixed conifer-angiosperm forest in northern New Zealand

Litterfall in a mixed conifer-angiosperm temperate forest in northern New Zealand was traced for 5 years to determine the patterns of litter production and turnover for conifer and angiosperm components of the forest. Basal area and above-ground biomass was shared approximately equally between conifer (mostly Agathis australis; New Zealand kauri) and angiosperm species (plus tree ferns). The five-year mean annual litterfall, excluding macro-litter, was 7.76± 0.39(SEM) t ha^?1 and ranged from 6.77±0.70 t ha^?1 in 1983–4 to 8.79±1.00 t ha^?1 in 1987–8. Mean monthly litterfall showed a strong seasonal pattern with low rates in winter and early spring, increasing to a peak in early autumn. There were major differences in the nature and timing of litterfall between the conifer and angiosperm fractions. Angiosperm leaf litter reached a maximum in early summer, while conifer litterfall showed highest rates for leaves, twigs and cone scales in late summer-autumn. Conifer reproductive structures (strobili and cone scales) contributed from 13 to 21% of total litterfall, a value high relative to other temperate forests. However, conifer leaf turnover was low relative to that for the angiosperms. Size of the microlitter store was 16.16±1.97 t ha^?1 prior to conifer cone fall, and 18.70±2.02 t ha^?1 following it, and conifer litter made up 76–78% of the total litter store. The estimated mean annual decomposition constant, k, was 0.39 overall, 0.33 for conifer leaf litter and 0.71 for angiosperm leaf litter, values which agree well with previously published rates for decomposition in this forest stand. Differences in the costs of biomass production and rates of turnover, as measured by litterfall and decomposition, may help to explain the functional coexistence of conifers and angiosperms in mixed forests.     

Litterfall from two eucalypt woodlands in central Queensland

The mean annual litterfall at two dry woodland sites in central Queensland was 1129 kg ha^–1 for an open E. populnea F. Muell. woodland (n = 2 years), and 2318 kg ha^–1 for a woodland dominated by E. cambageana Maiden (n = 1 year). Leaves formed the largest component of total litterfall, which varied seasonally with a spring–summer maximum. Annual litterfall at these sites conformed with a pattern of decreasing litter production with declining annual rainfall, consistent with a range of eucalypt-dominated communities.     

Regional patterns and controls of leaf decomposition in Australian tropical rainforests

Future climates have the potential to alter decomposition rates in tropical forest with implications for carbon emissions, nutrient cycling and retention of standing litter. However, our ability to predict impacts, particularly for seasonally wet forests in the old world, is limited by a paucity of data, a limited understanding of the relative importance of different aspects of climate and the extent to which decomposition rates are constrained by factors other than climate (e.g. soil, vegetation composition). We used the litterbag method to determine leaf litter decay rates at 18 sites distributed throughout the Australian wet tropics bioregion over a 14‐month period. Specifically, we investigated regional controls on litter decay including climate, soil and litter chemical quality. We used both in situ litter collected from litterfall on site and a standardized control leaf litter substrate. The control litter removed the effect of litter chemical quality and the in situ study quantified decomposition specific to the site. Decomposition was generally slower than for other tropical rainforests globally except in our wet and nutrient‐richer sites. This is most likely attributable to the higher latitude, often highly seasonal rainfall and very poor soils in our system. Decomposition rates were best explained by a combination of climate, soil and litter quality. For in situ litter (native to the site) this included: average leaf wetness in the dry season (LWDS; i.e. moisture condensation) and the initial P content of the leaves, or LWDS and initial C. For control litter (no litter quality effect) this included: rainfall seasonality (% dry season days with 0‐mm rainfall), soil P and mean annual temperature. These results suggest that the impact of climate change on decomposition rates within Australian tropical rainforests will be critically dependent on the trajectory of dry season moisture inputs over the coming decades.     

Comparative study of the mass loss rate of moss litter in boreal and subalpine forests in relation to temperature

The mossHylocomium splendens shows a very wide distribution in the Northern Hemisphere and may be useful as an indicator of climatic change on a global scale. We aimed to establish a convenient method to estimate the annual rate of litter mass loss of this species. The rate was calculated from the annual litter production rate and the amount of litter accumulated in the field. The litter production rate was estimated by analysis of the moss shoot growth. The rates calculated by this method tended to be larger than estimates obtained by the litter bag method. Using this method, we examined the difference in the litter mass loss rate along the altitudinal and latitudinal temperature gradients. The moss samples were collected from three boreal forests in Canada and four subalpine forests in Japan. At the subalpine sites, the annual rate of litter mass loss was within the range of 10–24% and tended to be smaller with increasing altitude. The rates in the boreal sites were similar to those in the subalpine sites despite lower mean annual temperatures. A significant log-linear relationship was observed between the annual mass loss rate and the cumulative value of monthly mean air temperatures higher than 0°C (CMT). Nitrogen concentration of the litter was positively correlated with mean annual air temperature. Site to site variation in the annual mass loss rate was largely explained by CMT and nitrogen concentration of the litter.     

Temporal and spatial variation of litter production in Sonoran Desert communities

The seasonal pattern of litter production was analyzed in three contiguous desert communities near the southern boundaries of the Sonoran Desert. There was a large spatial variation in annual litter production mainly caused by differences in the composition and structure of vegetation. In the most productive site (Arroyos) annual litterfall was 357 g m^-2yr^-1, a figure higher than some tropical deciduous forests. Litter production was only 60g m^-2yr^-1in the open desert in the plains (Plains) and 157 g m^-2yr^-1 in the thornscrub on the slopes (Hillsides). Topographic and hydrologic features influence the composition, structure and function of the vegetation, modifying the general relationship between rainfall and productivity described for desert ecosystems. The temporal pattern of litter production showed marked seasonality with two main periods of heavy litterfall: one after the summer rains from September to November (autumn litter production) and another after the winter rains from March to May (spring litter production). In the open desert areas, spring litter production was significantly higher than the autumn pulse, while in the slopes, the autumn production was the most important. The Arroyos site produced similar litterfall amounts during the two dry seasons. The species composition defined the season of maximum leaf-fall. In the Plains, the vigorous winter growth of ephemeral and perennial plants made up most of the litter production, while in the Hillsides, most perennials remained dormant throughout the winter-spring period and a significant peak of litterfall occurred only after the summer growth. This difference in growth between seasons was less pronounced in the Arroyos. The timing of maximum production of reproductive and woody litter also differed from site to site.     

中国森林生态系统凋落叶分解速率的分布特征及其控制因子

凋落物分解是森林生态系统碳循环的重要组成部分。建立中国森林凋落叶分解速率数据库, 分析凋落叶分解速率与其主要影响因素之间的关系, 对精确地预测中国森林生态系统碳收支具有重要意义。该研究通过收集已报道的中国森林凋落叶分解常数(k)及其相关变量, 分析探讨地理因素(纬度、经度和海拔)、气候因素(年平均气温和年降水量)、凋落叶质量(氮、磷、钾、木质素、木质素:氮和碳氮比)和叶特性(常绿与落叶、阔叶与针叶)对中国森林凋落叶分解速率的影响。结果表明, 在国家尺度上, k随年平均气温、年降水量、氮、磷和钾的增加而增加, 随纬度、经度、海拔、碳氮比、木质素和木质素:氮的增大而减小, 叶特性对k的影响不显著。气候与地理因素(年平均气温、年降水量和纬度)能解释k值变异的34.1%, 凋落叶质量(氮、钾、木质素和木质素:氮)能解释k值变异的21.7%, 它们能共同解释k值变异的74.4%。了解森林凋落叶分解速率在国家尺度上的格局和主控因素可为中国森林生态系统碳循环相关模型提供基础参数。     

Spatial characteristics in decomposition rate of foliar litter and controlling factors in Chinese forest ecosystems

凋落物分解是森林生态系统碳循环的重要组成部分。建立中国森林凋落叶分解速率数据库, 分析凋落叶分解速率与其主要影响因素之间的关系, 对精确地预测中国森林生态系统碳收支具有重要意义。该研究通过收集已报道的中国森林凋落叶分解常数(k)及其相关变量, 分析探讨地理因素(纬度、经度和海拔)、气候因素(年平均气温和年降水量)、凋落叶质量(氮、磷、钾、木质素、木质素:氮和碳氮比)和叶特性(常绿与落叶、阔叶与针叶)对中国森林凋落叶分解速率的影响。结果表明, 在国家尺度上, k随年平均气温、年降水量、氮、磷和钾的增加而增加, 随纬度、经度、海拔、碳氮比、木质素和木质素:氮的增大而减小, 叶特性对k的影响不显著。气候与地理因素(年平均气温、年降水量和纬度)能解释k值变异的34.1%, 凋落叶质量(氮、钾、木质素和木质素:氮)能解释k值变异的21.7%, 它们能共同解释k值变异的74.4%。了解森林凋落叶分解速率在国家尺度上的格局和主控因素可为中国森林生态系统碳循环相关模型提供基础参数。     

Atmospheric water vapor as driver of litter decomposition in Mediterranean shrubland and grassland during rainless seasons

Litter production in many drought‐affected ecosystems coincides with the beginning of an extended season of no or limited rainfall. Because of lack of moisture litter decomposition during such periods has been largely ignored so far, despite potential importance for the overall decay process in such ecosystems. To determine drivers and extent of litter decay in rainless periods, a litterbag study was conducted in Mediterranean shrublands, dwarf shrublands and grasslands. Heterogeneous local and common straw litter was left to decompose in open and shaded patches of various field sites in two study regions. Fresh local litter lost 4–18% of its initial mass over about 4 months without rainfall, which amounted to 15–50% of total annual decomposition. Lab incubations and changes in chemical composition suggested that litter was degraded by microbial activity, enabled by absorption of water vapor from the atmosphere. High mean relative humidity of 85% was measured during 8–9 h of most nights, but the possibility of fog deposition or dew formation at the soil surface was excluded. Over 95% of the variation in mass loss and changes in litter nitrogen were explained by characteristics of water‐vapor uptake by litter. Photodegradation induced by the intense solar radiation was an additional mechanism of litter decomposition as indicated by lignin dynamics. Lignin loss from litter increased with exposure to ultraviolet radiation and with initial lignin concentration, together explaining 90%–97% of the variation in lignin mass change. Our results indicate that water vapor, solar radiation and litter quality controlled decomposition and changes in litter chemistry during rainless seasons. Many regions worldwide experience transient periods without rainfall, and more land area is expected to undergo reductions in rainfall as a consequence of climate change. Therefore, absorption of water vapor might play a role in decomposition and nutrient cycling in an increasing number of ecosystems.     

The Effects of Exotic Grasses on Litter Decomposition in a Hawaiian Woodland: The Importance of Indirect Effects

Exotic grasses and grass-fueled fires have altered plant species composition in the seasonal submontane woodlands of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. These changes have altered both structural and functional aspects of the plant community, which could, in turn, have consequences for litter decomposition and nitrogen (N) dynamics. In grass-invaded unburned woodland, grass removal plots within the woodland, and woodland converted to grassland by fire, we compared whole-system fluxes and the contributions of individual species to annual aboveground fine litterfall and litterfall N, and litter mass and net N loss. We assessed the direct contribution of grass biomass to decomposition and N dynamics, and we determined how grasses affected decomposition processes indirectly via effects on native species and alteration of the litter layer microenvironment. Grasses contributed 35% of the total annual aboveground fine litterfall in the invaded woodland. However, total litterfall mass and N were not different between the invaded woodland and the grass removal treatment because of compensation by the native tree Metrosideros polymorpha, which increased litter production by 37% ± 5% when grasses were removed. The 0.3 g N m^–2/y^–1 contained in this production increase was equal to the N contained in grass litter. Litter production and litterfall N was lowest in the grassland due to the loss of native litter inputs. Decomposition of litterfall on an area basis was highest in the grass-invaded woodland. We attributed this effect to increased inherent decomposability of native litter in the presence of grasses because (a) the microenvironment of the three vegetation treatments had little effect on decomposition of common litter types and (b) M. polymorpha litter produced in the invaded woodland decomposed faster than that produced in the grass removal plots due to higher lignin concentrations in the latter than in the former. Area-weighted decomposition was lowest in the grassland due to the absence of native litter inputs. Across all treatments, most litter types immobilized N throughout the incubation, and litter net N loss on an area basis was not different among treatments. Our results support the idea that the effects of a plant species or growth form on decomposition cannot be determined in isolation from the rest of the community or from the direct effects of litter quality and quantity alone. In this dry woodland, exotic grasses significantly altered decomposition processes through indirect effects on the quantity and quality of litter produced by native species.     

Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in a Tropical Seasonal Rain Forest of Xishuangbanna,Southwest China1

We studied litter decomposition and nutrient release in a tropical seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna, Southwest China. The monthly decay rates (k) of leaf litter ranged from 0.02 to 0.21/mo, and correlated with rainfall and soil moisture. Annual k values for leaf litter (1.79/yr) averaged 4.2 times of those for coarse wood (2.5–3.5 cm in diameter). The turnover coefficients of forest floor mass (annual litterfall input/mean floor mass) were: 4.11/yr for flowers and fruits, 2.07/yr for leaves, and 1.17/yr for fine wood (≤2 cm in diameter), with resident time decreasing from fine woods (0.85 yr) to leaves (0.48 yr) and to flower and fruits (0.24 yr). Nutrient residence times in the forest floor mass were ranked as: Ca (1.0 yr) > P (0.92 yr) > Mg (0.64 yr) > N (0.36 yr) > K (0.31 yr). Our data suggest that rates of litter decomposition and nutrient release in the seasonal rain forest of Xishuangbanna are slower than those in typical lowland rain forests, but similar to those in tropical semideciduous forests.     

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.     

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。     

Modelling surface fine fuel dynamics across climate gradients in eucalypt forests of south‐eastern Australia

An understanding of the effects of climate on fuel is required to predict future changes to fire. We explored the climatic determinants of variations in surface fine fuel parameters across forests (dry and wet sclerophyll plus rainforest) and grassy woodlands of south‐eastern Australia. Influences of vegetation type and climate on fuel were examined through statistical modelling for estimates of litterfall, decomposition and steady state fine litter fuel load obtained from published studies. Strong relationships were found between climate, vegetation type and all three litter parameters. Litterfall was positively related to mean annual rainfall and mean annual temperature across all vegetation types. Decomposition was both negatively and positively related to mean annual temperature at low and high levels of warm‐season rainfall respectively. Steady state surface fine fuel load was generally, negatively related to mean annual temperature but mean annual rainfall had divergent effects dependent on vegetation type: i.e. positive effect in low productivity dry sclerophyll forests and grassy woodlands versus negative effect in high productivity wet sclerophyll forests and rainforests. The species composition of the vegetation types may have influenced decomposition and steady state fuel load responses in interaction with climate: e.g. lower decomposition rates in the low productivity vegetation types that occupied drier environments may be partially due to the predominance of species with sclerophyllous leaves. The results indicate that uncertain and highly variable future trends in precipitation may have a crucial role in determining the magnitude and direction of change in surface fine fuel load across south‐eastern Australia.     

Regional‐Scale Variation in Litter Production and Seasonality in Tropical Dry Forests of Southern Mexico1

Highly seasonal rainfall creates a pulse of litterfall in the southern Yucatan peninsula region, with cascading effects on the timing of essential nutrient fluxes, microbial dynamics, and vegetation growth. I investigated whether forest age or a regional environmental gradient related to rainfall has a greater effect on patterns of litterfall in this increasingly human‐dominated landscape. Litterfall was sampled in 10–13 stands in each of three locations spanning a rainfall gradient of ca 900–1400 mm/yr. Litter was collected monthly from November 1998 through January 2000 in mature forests and in secondary forests aged 2–25 yr. Despite a substantial precipitation gradient, age was the only significant predictor of annual litter mass. Two‐ to five‐yr‐old forests produced significantly less litter than 12–25‐yr‐old secondary forests (4.6 vs. 6.2 Mg/ha/yr), but the difference between older secondary forests and mature forests (9 percent) was not significant. Litter production increased with rainfall, but not significantly so. The pattern of litterfall was similar across locations and age classes, with a peak during late March or early April. However, litterfall seasonality was most pronounced in the old secondary and mature forests. Litterfall was more evenly distributed throughout the year in forests under 10 yr old. Seasonality of litterfall was also less pronounced at the wettest site, with less disparity between peak litterfall and off‐peak months. Seasonality was not related to soil texture. Forest age and rainfall are important drivers of litterfall dynamics; however, both litter mass and degree of seasonality depended more strongly on forest age. Thus, the impact of land‐use change on litter nutrient cycling is as great, if not greater, than the constraint imposed by the major natural environmental factor affecting tropical dry forests.     

Litterfall and decomposition in the Pilliga State Forests,New South Wales,Australia

Abstract The annual litterfall and decomposition rate of litter in three semi-arid vegetation communities (forest, mallee and broom) in the Pilliga State Forests, New South Wales, Australia, were measured over a period of 3 years. Annual litterfall was found to vary widely between the communities, ranging from 1005 to 3409 kg ha^?1 year^?1. Decomposition rates were measured and the half lives obtained ranged from 2. 5 to 5. 3 years. In many forests fire removes much of the accumulated litter at regular intervals. Two of the three study sites (the forest and mallee) had reached steady state after 36 years of litter accumulation after fire, while the broom, with only 20 years accumulation, was not in steady state. Between fires decomposition of the liner dominates. In the mallee soil fauna were most active, burying the litter under mineral soil before comminution commenced, demonstrating a cycling of litter which differs markedly from that in more humid climates.     

西南干旱对哀牢山常绿阔叶林凋落物及叶面积指数的影响

为探讨2010年初西南干旱对这一地区原生植被林冠和凋落物量的影响,以及这一地区凋落物量和气候条件之间的关系,对比研究了哀牢山亚热带常绿阔叶林2010年和一般年份的凋落物特征以及各层的叶面积指数,并分析了凋落物量和气候因子之间的关系.2010年凋落物总量和往年相比无显著差异,但是叶凋落总量、旱季凋落物总量、旱季叶凋落量为历年来最高,其中旱季叶凋落物量比一般年份平均高35.2％ (0.81 t/hm2).而2010年附生苔蘚年凋落量为历年来最低.2010年最旱月的乔木层和灌木层叶面积指数和2005同期相比无显著差异,但是草本层叶面积指数却极显著低于2005年同期.因此,2010年初西南干旱尽管使哀牢山常绿阔叶林旱季落叶增加,但还没有到显著影响冠层叶面积指数的程度.而草本层和附生苔藓的生长则受到了干旱事件的显著影响.此外,哀牢山常绿阔叶林年总凋落量和年降水量显著正相关,而和年均温却不相关,表明该亚热带森林凋落物量主要由降水而非温度决定.     

Nutrient fluxes via litterfall and leaf litter decomposition vary across a gradient of soil nutrient supply in a lowland tropical rain forest

The extent to which plant communities are determined by resource availability is a central theme in ecosystem science, but patterns of small-scale variation in resource availability are poorly known. Studies of carbon (C) and nutrient cycling provide insights into factors limiting tree growth and forest productivity. To investigate rates of tropical forest litter production and decomposition in relation to nutrient availability and topography in the absence of confounding large-scale variation in climate and altitude we quantified nutrient fluxes via litterfall and leaf litter decomposition within three distinct floristic associations of tropical rain forest growing along a soil fertility gradient at the Sepilok Forest Reserve (SFR), Sabah, Malaysia. The quantity and nutrient content of small litter decreased along a gradient of soil nutrient availability from alluvial forest (most fertile) through sandstone forest to heath forest (least fertile). Temporal variation in litterfall was greatest in the sandstone forest, where the amount of litter was correlated negatively with rainfall in the previous month. Mass loss and N and P release were fastest from alluvial forest litter, and slowest from heath forest litter. All litter types decomposed most rapidly in the alluvial forest. Stand-level N and P use efficiencies (ratios of litter dry mass to nutrient content) were greatest for the heath forest followed by the sandstone ridge, sandstone valley and alluvial forests, respectively. We conclude that nutrient supply limits productivity most in the heath forest and least in the alluvial forest. Nutrient supply limited productivity in sandstone forest, especially on ridge and hill top sites where nutrient limitation may be exacerbated by reduced rates of litter decomposition during dry periods. The fluxes of N and P varied significantly between the different floristic communities at SFR and these differences may contribute to small-scale variation in species composition.     

Controls on Litter Decomposition of Emergent Macrophyte in Dongting Lake Wetlands

Both litter composition and site environment are important factors influencing litter decomposition, but their relative roles in driving spatial variation in litter decomposition among wetlands remain unclear. The responses of mass loss and nutrient dynamics to site environment and litter source were investigated in Carex brevicuspis leaves from the Dongting Lake wetlands, China, using reciprocal transplants of litterbags. Litters originating from lower elevation (24–25 m; flooded for 180–200 days every year) and higher elevation (27–28 m; flooded for 60–90 days every year) sites were incubated simultaneously at lower and higher sites at three locations for 1 year. The remaining litter mass, N, P, and lignin contents were analyzed during decomposition. Initial N and P contents were richer in litters from lower sites than those from higher ones. The decomposition rate was higher for the litters originating from lower sites (0.0030 day^?1) than those from higher ones (0.0025 day^?1) and higher at lower sites (0.0031 day^?1) than at higher sites (0.0024 day^?1). Litters from lower sites displayed greater N and P mineralization than those from higher sites, whereas only P dynamics were affected by site elevation. The variation in litter decomposition rate among the different litter source groups was twice that among the different site elevation groups. These data indicate that, in wetlands ecosystems, litter composition plays a more important role in the speed of litter decomposition than site environment (here represented by site elevation).