喀斯特11种典型生态恢复树种凋落叶分解及其对土壤碳排放的激发效应

旨在探究喀斯特地区退化生态系统植被恢复树种凋落叶分解过程及其对土壤碳排放的激发效应,为选择合适的树种进行植被恢复提供数据支持。以中国林科院热带林业实验中心大青山石山树木园11种适应性强、耐干旱贫瘠的优良石山树种为研究对象,利用¹³C自然丰度法区分凋落叶和土壤来源CO₂并量化土壤激发效应,比较不同生态恢复树种凋落叶分解及其激发效应的差异,探讨凋落物分解及其激发效应与凋落物性状之间的关联。结果表明:(1)11个生态恢复树种凋落叶在碳相关化学性质(水溶性碳、半纤维素和单宁含量等)、养分含量(磷和镁含量等)及化学计量特征(碳磷比和氮磷比)等方面均表现出较高程度变异。(2)不同生态恢复树种凋落叶分解及其诱导的土壤激发效应具有极显著差异(P<0.001);在整个培养实验期间,11个生态恢复树种凋落叶平均分解了35.3%,其中海南椴分解最快,达到50%,而青冈栎分解最慢,仅分解16.5%。(3)总体上看,凋落叶处理的土壤呼吸速率(5.1 mg C kg^-1 土壤 d^-1)是对照土壤呼吸速率(2.3 mg C kg^-1土壤d^-1)的2.2倍,凋落叶添加显著促进土壤有机碳分解,平均达到37.6%;其中海南椴、割舌树和任豆凋落叶输入则抑制土壤有机碳分解(抑制程度分别为-13.2%、-6.9%和-22.5%),产生负激发效应。(4)凋落叶分解与非结构性碳(r=0.63,P=0.04)和水溶性碳(r=0.91,P<0.001)呈显著正相关,与叶干物质含量(r=0.64,P=0.03)、纤维素(r=0.62,P=0.04)和锰含量(r=-0.63,P=0.04)呈显著负相关。多元回归分析结果表明,水溶性碳、钾和钙含量相结合可以解释生态恢复树种凋落叶分解变异的98%;然而,凋落叶性状与土壤激发效应强度之间并没有显著相关性。从土壤养分归还角度考虑,喀斯特退化生态系统恢复树种可以选择光皮梾木、海南椴、顶果木和降香黄檀等凋落叶分解较快的树种,以促进土壤养分循环和植被恢复;另一方面,从土壤碳固持角度来看,海南椴、任豆和割舌树等凋落叶输入会抑制土壤有机碳分解,从而有利于提高退化生态系统土壤碳封存能力。     

不同水分条件下杨树-玉米复合系统凋落物分解特性

为探讨水分变化对农林复合生态系统凋落物分解特性的影响,以河西走廊杨树（Populus）-玉米（Zea mays）凋落物为研究对象,设置正常水分（9200 m³/hm²,对照）,轻度干旱胁迫（减少15%,7800 m³/hm²）,中度干旱胁迫（减少30%,6400 m³/hm²）3种不同水分处理条件,采用分解袋法研究了不同水分条件下杨树叶和玉米秸秆的质量残留率、分解速率和养分含量变化特征。结果表明：（1）随着干旱胁迫的加剧,两种凋落物的质量残留率均增加,而分解速率降低。经过164 d的分解后,杨树叶和玉米秸秆的质量残留率分别为70.43%-77.49%、63.55%-68.29%。分析表明：水分和时间对各类型凋落物的质量残留率均有极显著的影响（P<0.001）,但二者的交互作用不显著（P>0.05）;干旱胁迫显著降低了玉米秸秆的分解速率,但杨树叶的分解速率却只是在中度干旱胁迫下显著降低（P<0.05）。对于不同类型凋落物而言,分解速率表现为玉米秸秆>杨树叶。（2）两种类型凋落物的氮（N）残留率在分解过程中表现为降低的趋势,但随着干旱程度的加大,N的残留率增加,表明水分抑制了N的释放过程。分解164d后,同一类型凋落物不同水分条件下的N残留率均存在显著差异。对于同一水分条件下不同凋落物而言,玉米秸秆的N残留率最低,而杨树叶最高。总的来说,水分降低对干旱区农林复合系统内凋落物的分解和氮元素含量具有显著的抑制作用。     

氮添加和凋落物去除对黔中喀斯特地区柳杉人工林土壤呼吸的影响

凋落物是土壤呼吸的主要碳源,日益增加的大气氮沉降通过改变森林凋落物的输入与分解影响土壤呼吸。为揭示氮沉降及凋落物管理对森林土壤呼吸及其组分的影响,以贵州省国有扎佐林场15年生柳杉人工林为研究对象,设置4个氮添加处理:对照(CK,0 gN m^-2 a^-1)、低氮(LN,15 gN m^-2 a^-1)、中氮(MN,30 gN m^-2 a^-1)和高氮(HN,60 gN m^-2 a^-1),并在每种氮添加处理下设置去除凋落物和保留凋落物两种处理,于2021年3月-2022年2月利用LI-8100测定土壤呼吸速率,并分析氮添加及凋落物处理对土壤呼吸速率影响,确定影响土壤呼吸速率变化的主要因子。结果表明:氮添加和去除凋落物处理没有改变土壤呼吸速率的时间变化,土壤呼吸速率月均最大值出现在7月,月均最小值出现在2月。氮添加对土壤呼吸速率无显著影响(P > 0.05),除CK外,去除凋落物处理会显著降低土壤呼吸速率(P < 0.05)。凋落物对土壤总呼吸速率的贡献率为8.6%-28.5%,且LN处理下凋落物对土壤呼吸速率的贡献率最大。土壤呼吸速率与5 m土壤温度呈显著指数相关(P < 0.01),与5 cm土壤湿度呈显著负线性相关(P < 0.01)。土壤温度解释了土壤呼吸速率变异的58.5%-79.5%,土壤湿度解释了土壤呼吸速率变异的26.4%-39.5%,以土壤温度和湿度构建的双变量模型拟合效果均好于单因子模型,土壤温湿度共同解释土壤呼吸速率变异的59.1%-85.8%。结论表明在大气氮沉降增加的背景下,温度是影响土壤呼吸的主要因素,凋落物管理是调控土壤呼吸的关键过程。     

凋落物多样性及组成对凋落物分解及土壤微生物群落的影响——二氧化碳倍增条件下

受全球变化的影响生物多样性的丧失日益严重,及时了解凋落物物种多样性及其组成如何直接或者通过调节微生物群落来间接影响凋落物分解已经成为生态学领域的热点问题之一。在呼伦贝尔典型草原区,羊草（Leymus chinensis）为原生群落建群种,茵陈蒿（Artemisia capillaris）、麻花头（Serratula centauroides）、二裂委陵菜（Potentilla bifurca）在退化及恢复群落中的多度均较大,本研究以此4种植物的凋落物为研究对象,在两倍于当前大气CO₂浓度（800 μmol/mol）条件下,通过嵌套实验设计来研究凋落物多样性（凋落物组成）对凋落物质量、C、N残余率和残余C/N的影响,并深入分析凋落物初始性质以及土壤革兰氏阳性菌（G⁺）、革兰氏阴性菌（G^-）、细菌（B）、真菌（F）及土壤总微生物磷脂脂肪酸（Phospholipid Fatty Acid,PLFA）含量和F/B对凋落物分解的影响。结果表明：（1）凋落物多样性及组成对凋落物质量、C、N残余率以及残余C/N均具有显著影响;凋落物组成对G⁺ PLFAs含量具有显著影响;（2）冗余分析（Redundancy Analysis,RDA）结果表明凋落物组成对凋落物分解和土壤微生物群落相关指标的影响高于凋落物多样性;（3）结构方程模型（Structural Equation Model,SEM）结果表明凋落物初始木质素含量和初始C/N均对凋落物分解具有显著影响,其中凋落物初始木质素含量起主导作用,其还可通过对土壤真菌PLFAs含量的影响来间接影响凋落物N残余率和残余C/N。所得结果可为大气CO₂浓度升高条件下退化草原生态系统的物质循环特征的预测乃至草原生态系统功能的合理评估提供数据支持。     

杉木人工林凋落物分解对氮沉降的响应

凋落物分解是陆地生态系统养分循环的关键过程,是全球碳（C）收支的一个重要主要组成部分,正受到全球大气氮（N）沉降的深刻影响。探讨大气氮沉降条件下森林凋落物的分解,有利于揭示森林生态系统C平衡和养分循环对全球变化的响应。选择福建沙县官庄林场1992年栽种的杉木（Cunninghamia lanceolata）人工林为研究对象,自2004年开始野外模拟氮沉降试验,至今12年。氮沉降处理分4个水平,N0、N1、N2和N3分别为0、60、120、240 kg N hm^-2 a^-1。2015年12月开展分解袋试验,对经过氮沉降处理12年的凋落物（叶、枝、果）进行模拟原位分解,每3个月收回一次分解袋样品,为期2年,同时测定凋落物干物质残留量及其C、N和磷（P）含量。结果表明,经2年分解后,氮沉降条件下凋落物叶、枝和果的干物质残留率平均值分别为27.68%、47.02%和43.18%,说明分解速率大小依次为叶 > 果 > 枝。凋落物叶、枝和果的分解系数平均为0.588、0.389和0.455,周转期（分解95%年限）分别为4-5年、6-8年和5-7年。低-中氮处理（N1和N2）均促进凋落物叶、枝和果的分解,以N1的效果更明显,而N3起到抑制作用。N1处理的凋落物叶、枝和果的周转期分别为：4.50年、6.09年和5.85年,N2处理的分别为4.95年、8.16年和6.19年。模拟氮沉降在一定程度上增加了凋落物叶、枝和果分解过程中的N和P含量,但降低了C含量。凋落物叶、枝和果分解过程中C元素呈现释放-富集-释放模式,N和P元素呈现释放与富集交替,除枝的N元素外,其他均表现为释放量大于富集量。     

凋落物添加和模拟氮磷沉降对红松凋落物木质素降解和碳释放的影响

通过对阔叶红松林和红松人工林2种林型凋落物处理（分别为不添加凋落物（原样组）、添加凋落物（双倍组）和去除凋落物（去除组）等3个处理）与模拟氮磷沉降（分别为对照CK （0 g N m^-2 a^-1、0 g P m^-2 a^-1）、低浓度氮磷（5 g N m^-2 a^-1、5 g P m^-2 a^-1）、中浓度氮磷（15 g N m^-2 a^-1、10g P m^-2 a^-1）和高浓度氮磷（30 g N m^-2 a^-1、20 g P m^-2 a^-1）等4个强度）原位培养试验,研究凋落物质量的增加与氮磷沉降及两种处理的耦合作用对碳（C）和木质素分解释放的影响。结果表明：凋落物添加在试验前期（6月）抑制人工林L层的C释放,促进H层的C释放;试验后期（10月）促进人工林L层C释放,而抑制H层的C释放。凋落物添加在前期（6月）是促进天然林L层C释放的,但在后期（10月）产生抑制作用。与L层相反,凋落物添加持续促进天然林H层的C释放。低、中浓度氮磷沉降显著促进了红松人工林和阔叶红松林L、H层C释放和木质素降解,但高浓度的氮磷添加会抑制C释放和木质素的降解,两种处理之间无交互作用。     

黄土丘陵区人工林刺槐和油松凋落叶在不同降雨时期的分解特征

凋落物分解是维持生态系统养分循环和能量流动的关键过程,但在雨热同期的黄土丘陵区,不同降雨时期凋落物基质质量动态对该区不同树种凋落物分解速率的影响还不清楚。采用凋落物分解袋法,基于野外原位分解实验分析黄土丘陵区主要人工林刺槐（Robinia pseudoacacia Linn.）和油松（Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.）凋落叶在不同降雨时期的分解特征和分解过程中凋落叶基质质量的变化与分解速率之间的关系。研究结果发现：（1）经过391 d的分解,刺槐凋落叶的平均质量损失速率为（51.0±8.44）mg/d,显著地高于油松凋落叶（36.7±4.83）mg/d;雨季期间两树种凋落叶的质量损失速率均显著地高于旱季,其中夏季多雨期间凋落叶的质量损失速率最高,冬季微量降雨期间质量损失速率最低。（2）在整个分解过程中两树种凋落叶C和N含量都表现为净释放且主要发生在雨季,P含量表现为释放与富集交替进行;刺槐凋落叶C/N比、C/P比和N/P比呈波动的趋势,油松凋落叶C/N比则显著地增加且在夏季多雨期出现峰值,C/P比呈波动的状态,N/P比变化较小。（3）不同降雨时期刺槐凋落叶的质量损失速率与凋落叶P含量动态显著正相关,与C含量、C/P比和N/P比动态显著负相关。油松凋落叶质量损失速率与C/N比动态显著正相关,与C、N含量动态显著负相关,与N/P比动态呈负二次函数的关系。这些结果说明黄土丘陵区刺槐和油松凋落叶在不同降雨时期分解速率之间的差异显著且两树种凋落叶的分解都集中在雨季期间;此外凋落叶分解主要受到凋落叶N含量和N/P比动态变化的制约,与刺槐凋落叶相比,N含量与N/P比对油松凋落叶的限制作用更强。     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区撑绿 杂交竹凋落物分解的影响

从2008年1月至2010年1月,对华西雨屏区撑绿杂交竹(Bambusa pervariabilis × Dendrocala mopsi)人工林进行了模拟氮沉降试验,氮沉降水平分别为对照(CK, 0 g · m^-2 · a^-1)、低氮(5 g · m^-2 · a^-1)、中氮(15 g · hm^-2 · a^-1)和高氮(30 g · m^-2 · a^-1)。利用凋落袋法对杂交竹凋落叶和凋落箨进行原位分解试验,并在每月下旬定量地对各处理施氮(NH₄NO₃)。结果表明,自然状态下杂交竹凋落叶和凋落箨分解95%所需时间分别为2.9,1.5 a;氮沉降显著抑制了凋落叶的分解,在分解后期3个氮沉降处理凋落叶无灰分质量残留率均显著大于对照,氮沉降对凋落箨分解无明显影响;氮沉降显著抑制了凋落叶中木质素和纤维素的分解。杂交竹凋落叶在分解后期质量损失缓慢,处于较稳定状态,氮沉降的增加使得凋落物的残留率稳定在一个更高的水平,表明氮沉降的增加可能会使更多的凋落物残体和稳定有机质留存于杂交竹林土壤中,从而增加杂交竹林土壤碳贮存。     

长期养分添加对贝加尔针茅草原土壤微生物群落的影响

土壤微生物是土壤生态系统的重要组成部分,是土壤生态系统物质循环和能量流动的主要参与者,在维持土壤生态系统过程和功能方面发挥着关键作用。以内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原为研究对象,采用磷脂脂肪酸(PLFA)技术,探讨连续12年氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)养分单一添加和复合添加条件下草地土壤理化性质、微生物群落结构特征的变化及其主要影响因素。结果表明,长期养分添加条件下,土壤有机碳和全氮均无显著变化,但磷(P、NP、PK、NPK)和钾(K、NK、PK、NPK)添加处理分别显著提高了土壤速效磷和速效钾含量(P < 0.05)。单一氮添加显著增加了土壤硝态氮和铵态氮含量,并显著降低了土壤pH值(P < 0.05)。单一磷和钾添加均提高了土壤细菌、真菌、放线菌和总PLFA含量,而单一氮添加和复合养分添加(NP、NK、PK、NPK)均显著降低了以上指标的含量(P < 0.05)。此外,各养分添加处理均未显著改变革兰氏阳性细菌与革兰氏阴性细菌比(G⁺/G^-),但含氮的复合添加处理(NP、NK、NPK)均显著降低了真菌与细菌比 (F/B) (P < 0.05)。相关性分析结果表明,多种微生物PLFA含量与速效磷和铵态氮显著负相关,与土壤pH值显著正相关。基于冗余分析和随机森林模型分析发现土壤pH值和土壤磷含量是影响土壤微生物群落特征的主要驱动因素。综上,长期养分添加显著改变了土壤速效养分含量和土壤pH值,并显著影响了土壤微生物群落结构。     

香樟凋落叶分解过程对两种间作作物生长和光合特性的影响

采用盆栽试验方法,探讨了香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)凋落叶不同土壤添加水平(0 g/盆为CK、25 g/盆、50 g/盆,100 g/盆)对受体作物小白菜(Brassica chinensis)、莴笋(Lactuca sativa)幼苗生长和光合特性的影响。结果显示:(1)香樟凋落叶分解对两种作物的地径、株高、生物量、叶片数和叶面积均有明显的抑制作用,且抑制效应随凋落叶添加量的增加而增强,但随着分解时间的延长其抑制作用逐渐减弱甚至表现为促进作用。(2)香樟凋落叶分解对两种作物的光合色素含量均有明显的抑制效应,并随凋落叶添加量的增加抑制作用增强,且持续时间延长。(3)经凋落叶处理的两种作物叶片净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、水分利用率(WUE)总体上均低于CK,而胞间CO₂浓度(C_i)在各凋落叶处理下均高于CK。(4)随着土壤中凋落叶量的增加,两种作物在光饱和以及CO₂饱和状态下的最大净光合速率(P_{n max})、表观量子效率(AQY)、羧化速率(CE)、光呼吸速率(R_p)和暗呼吸速率(R_d)均不断下降,而光补偿点(LCP)、光饱和点(LSP)、CO₂饱和点(CSP)、CO₂补偿点(CCP)因受体作物的不同,表现出不同的变化趋势。研究表明,土壤中香樟凋落叶分解释放的化感物质,能通过降低受体作物的光合色素合成和光合能力,限制其营养生长,最终影响生物量积累;相对于莴笋,小白菜对香樟凋落叶分解产生的化感胁迫效应具有更强的耐受性,可能更适宜在香樟林间种植。     

模拟N沉降下不同林龄马尾松林凋落叶分解-土壤C、N化学计量特征

模拟N沉降对森林生态系统的影响是当今全球变化生态学研究的一个热点问题,土壤碳库对N沉降比较敏感,N沉降增加了凋落叶分解过程中外源N含量,间接影响凋落叶分解的化学过程并改变凋落叶分解速率,因此,研究模拟N沉降下凋落叶分解-土壤C-N关系对预测森林C吸存有重要意义。利用原位分解袋法研究了模拟N沉降下三峡库区不同林龄马尾松林(Pinus massoniana)凋落叶分解过程中凋落叶-土壤C、N化学计量响应及其关系;N沉降水平分对照(CK,0 g m~(-2)a~(-1))、低氮(LN,5 g m~(-2)a~(-1))、中氮(MN,10 g m~(-2)a~(-1))和高氮(HN,15 g m~(-2)a~(-1))。结果表明:分解540 d后,N沉降促进20年生和30年生马尾松林凋落叶分解,46年生马尾松林中仅低氮处理促进凋落叶分解,4种处理均是30年生分解最快,说明同一树种起始N含量低的凋落叶对N沉降呈正响应,N沉降处理促进起始N含量低的凋落叶分解,起始N含量高的凋落叶分解过程中易达到"N饱和"。N沉降抑制20年生和46年生凋落叶C释放(低于对照0.62%—6.69%),促进30年生C释放(高于对照0.28%—5.55%);30年生和46年生林分N固持量均高于对照(高于对照0.15%—21.34%),20年生则低于对照(5.70%—13.87%),说明模拟N沉降处理促进起始C含量低的凋落叶C释放和起始N含量低的凋落叶N固持。N沉降处理下仅30年生马尾松林土壤有机碳较对照增加,且土壤有机质与凋落叶C、N和分解速率呈正相关,与凋落叶C/N比呈显著负相关;土壤总氮与凋落叶分解速率、凋落叶N含量呈正相关,土壤有机碳/总氮比与凋落叶C、N含量呈正相关;对照处理中凋落叶分解指标对土壤养分影响顺序是分解速率凋落物C含量凋落物C/N比凋落物N含量,低、中、高氮处理中则是凋落物C含量分解速率凋落物N含量凋落物C/N比。研究表明低土壤养分含量马尾松林对N沉降呈正响应,N沉降促进低土壤养分马尾松林凋落叶分解并提高土壤肥力;凋落叶质量和土壤养分含量低的生态系统土壤C对N沉降响应更显著。     

Leaf litter inputs decrease phosphate sorption in a strongly weathered tropical soil over two time scales

In strongly weathered soils, leaf litter not only returns phosphorus (P) to the soil environment, it may also modify soil properties and soil solution chemistry, with the potential to decrease phosphate sorption and increase plant available P. Using a radioactive phosphate tracer (³²P) and 1 h laboratory incubations we investigated the effect of litter inputs on phosphate sorption over two time scales: (1) long-term field litter manipulations (litter addition, control and litter removal) and (2) pulses of litter leachate (i.e. water extracts of leaf litter) from five species. Leachate pulse effects were compared to a simulated throughfall, which served as a control solution. Soil receiving long-term doubling of leaf litter maintained five-fold more phosphate in solution than the litter removal soil. In addition to the quantity of phosphate sorbed, the field litter addition treatment decreased the strength of phosphate sorption, as evaluated through extraction of sorbed ³²P using a weakly acidic ammonium fluoride solution (Bray 1). In litter removal soil, leachate pulses significantly reduced phosphate sorption in comparison to the throughfall control for all five species evaluated. However, the ability of leachate pulses to reduce phosphate sorption decreased when soil had received field litter inputs. Across soils the effect of leachate pulses on phosphate sorption increased with net sorption of dissolved organic C, with the exception of leachate from one species that had a higher index of aromatic C concentration. These results demonstrate that litter inputs, as both long-term inputs and short-term leachate pulses, can decrease the quantity and strength of phosphate sorption, which may increase the biological availability of this key nutrient.     

Leaf litter decomposition of Piper aduncum,Gliricidia sepium and Imperata cylindrica in the humid lowlands of Papua New Guinea

No information is available on the decomposition and nutrient release pattern of Piper aduncum and Imperata cylindrica despite their importance in shifting cultivation systems of Papua New Guinea and other tropical regions. We conducted a litter bag study (24 weeks) on a Typic Eutropepts in the humid lowlands to assess the rate of decomposition of Piper aduncum, Imperata cylindrica and Gliricidia sepium leaves under sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas). Decomposition rates of piper leaf litter were fastest followed closely by gliricidia, and both lost 50% of the leaf biomass within 10 weeks. Imperata leaf litter decomposed much slower and half-life values exceeded the period of observation. The decomposition patterns were best explained by the lignin plus polyphenol over N ratio which was lowest for piper (4.3) and highest for imperata (24.7). Gliricidia leaf litter released 79 kg N ha^–1, whereas 18 kg N ha^–1 was immobilised in the imperata litter. The mineralization of P was similar for the three species, but piper litter released large amounts of K. The decomposition and nutrient release patterns had significant effects on the soil. The soil contained significantly more water in the previous imperata plots at 13 weeks due to the relative slow decomposition of the leaves. Soil N levels were significantly reduced in the previous imperata plots due to immobilisation of N. Levels of exchangeable K were significantly increased in the previous piper plots due to the large addition of K. It can be concluded that piper leaf litter is a significant and easily decomposable source of K which is an important nutrient for sweet potato. Gliricidia leaf litter contained much N, whereas imperata leaf litter releases relatively little nutrients and keeps the soil more moist. Gliricidia fallow is more attractive than an imperata fallow for it improves the soil fertility and produces fuelwood as additional saleable products.     

Litter decomposition of a pine plantation is affected by species evenness and soil nitrogen availability

Background and aims

Litter decomposition is a key process controlling flows of energy and nutrients in ecosystems. Altered biodiversity and nutrient availability may affect litter decomposition. However, little is known about the response of litter decomposition to co-occurring changes in species evenness and soil nutrient availability.

Methods

We used a microcosm experiment to evaluate the simultaneous effects of species evenness (two levels), identity of the dominant species (three species) and soil N availability (control and N addition) on litter decomposition in a Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) plantation in Northeast China. Mongolian pine needles and senesced aboveground materials of two dominant understory species (Setaria viridis and Artemisia scoparia) were used for incubation.

Results

Litter evenness, dominant species identity and N addition significantly affected species interaction and litter decomposition. Higher level of species evenness increased the decomposition rate of litter mixtures and decreased the incidence of antagonistic effects. A. scoparia-dominated litter mixtures decomposed faster than P. sylvestris var. mongolica- and S. viridis-dominated litter mixtures. Notably, N addition increased decomposition rate of both single-species litters and litter mixtures, and meanwhile altered the incidence and direction of non-additive effects during decomposition of litter mixtures. The presence of understory species litters stimulated the decomposition rate of pine litters irrespective of N addition, whereas the presence of pine litters suppressed the mass loss of A. scoparia litters. Moreover, N addition weakened the promoting effects of understory species litters on decomposition of pine litters.

Conclusions

Pine litter retarded the decomposition of understory species litters whereas its own decomposition was accelerated in mixtures. Nitrogen addition and understory species evenness altered species interaction through species-specific responses in litter mixtures and thus affected litter decomposition in Mongolian pine forests, which could produce a potential influence on ecosystem C budget and nutrient cycling.     

Nitrogen Addition Shapes Soil Phosphorus Availability in Two Reforested Tropical Forests in Southern China

Scant information is available on how soil phosphorus (P) availability responds to atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, especially in the tropical zones. This study examined the effect of N addition on soil P availability, and compared this effect between forest sites of contrasting land‐use history. Effects of N addition on soil properties, litterfall production, P release from decomposing litter, and soil P availability were studied in a disturbed (reforested pine forest with previous understory vegetation and litter harvesting) and a rehabilitated (reforested mixed pine/broadleaf forest with no understory vegetation and litter harvesting) tropical forest in southern China. Experimental N‐treatments (above ambient) were the following: Control (no N addition), N50 (50 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1), and N100 (100 kg N ha^?1 yr^?1). Results indicated that N addition significantly decreased soil P availability in the disturbed forest. In the rehabilitated forest, however, soil P availability was significantly increased by N addition. Decreases in soil P availability may be correlated with decreases in rates of P release from decomposing litter in the N‐treated plots, whereas the increase in soil P availability was correlated with an increase in litterfall production. Our results suggest that response of soil P availability to N deposition in the reforested tropical forests in southern China may vary greatly with temporal changes in tree species composition and soil nutrient status, caused by different land‐use practices.     

Effects of long-term nitrogen deposition on phosphorus leaching dynamics in a mature tropical forest

Elevated anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is suggested to affect ecosystem phosphorus (P) cycling through altered biotic P demand and soil acidification. To date, however, there has been little information on how long-term N deposition regulates P fluxes in tropical forests, where P is often depleted. To address this question, we conducted a long-term N addition experiment in a mature tropical forest in southern China, using the following N treatments: 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha^?1 year^?1. We hypothesized that (i) tropical forest ecosystems have conservative P cycling with low P output, and (ii) long-term N addition decreases total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) leaching losses due to reduced litter decomposition rates and stimulated P sorption deriving from accelerated soil acidification. As hypothesized, we demonstrated a closed P cycling with low leaching outputs in our forest. Under experimental N addition, TDP flux in throughfall was significantly reduced, suggesting that N addition may result in a less internal P recycling. Contrary to our hypothesis, N addition did not decrease TDP leaching, despite reduced litter decomposition and accelerated soil acidification. We find that N addition might have negative impacts on biological P uptake without affecting TDP leaching, and that the amount of TDP leaching from soil could be lower than a minimum concentration for TDP retention. Overall, we conclude that long-term N deposition does not necessarily decrease P effluxes from tropical forest ecosystems with conservative P cycling.     

Endogenous versus exogenous nutrient affects C, N, and P dynamics in decomposing litters in mid-subtropical forests of China

The effect of nutrient availability on litter decomposition has been a major focus of global change ecology. The relative impacts of endogenous (litter) and exogenous (soil) nutrient availability remain unclear. We studied the nutrient dynamics of decomposition in litter from two species with contrasting litter nutrient contents and stoichiometry: Pinus massoniana and Castanopsis sclerophylla. During a 540-day field incubation, we manipulated exogenous nutrient levels by adding microbially available C (+C), N (+N), P (+P), and all three (+CNP) at 90-day intervals. Relative to the no-nutrient control (CK), nutrient additions decreased organic C retention in C. sclerophylla, with the greatest effect observed in +CNP. Nitrogen content in P. massoniana litter similarly increased with nutrient addition, particularly +P and +CNP. The P addition treatments also increased P content in the litter of both species. Nitrogen content in C. sclerophylla and organic C content in P. massoniana were unaffected by nutrient additions. The C/N and C/P ratios in decomposing C. sclerophylla litter were significantly lower in the CK treatment, while those of P. massoniana litter were influenced by the interaction of nutrient addition and decomposition time. Increased availability of C, N, and P individually and collectively alters nutrient release dynamics in decomposing foliar litter. Litter quality, as determined by source species, is a key determinant of the impact of exogenous nutrient inputs. A stronger effect of P addition than N addition indicates a relatively N-rich and P-poor ecosystem.     

减雨对南亚热带马尾松人工林凋落物分解的影响

为探究气候变化背景下降雨格局改变对马尾松人工林凋落物分解及养分释放过程的影响,以南亚热带马尾松(Pinus massoniana)人工林为研究对象,设置穿透雨减少50%和不减雨(对照)处理,开展连续观测野外降水控制实验。采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了减雨处理对南亚热带马尾松人工林凋落叶分解速率及养分释放的影响,以及凋落叶分解速率的影响因素。结果表明:凋落叶分解2年后,减雨处理和对照林凋落叶残留率分别为38.09%和38.06%;凋落叶分解过程中碳元素表现为淋溶-富集-释放,而氮元素表现为富集,减雨50%在一定程度上促进了氮的富集,但未达到显著水平。相关分析表明,凋落叶的残留率与氮浓度和月积温呈显著负相关,与碳/氮呈显著正相关。本研究发现,减雨50%并未改变马尾松凋落叶分解速率和养分释放模式,凋落叶的残留率与氮浓度、碳/氮及月积温密切相关。     

Correlation of foliage and litter chemistry of sugar maple, Acer saccharum, as affected by elevated CO2 and varying N availability, and effects on decomposition

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide has the potential to alter leaf litter chemistry, potentially affecting decomposition and rates of carbon and nitrogen cycling in forest ecosystems. This study was conducted to determine whether growth under elevated atmospheric CO₂ altered the quality and microbial decomposition of leaf litter of a widely distributed northern hardwood species at sites of low and high soil nitrogen availability. In addition, we assessed whether the carbon–nutrient balance (CNB) and growth differentiation balance (GDB) hypotheses could be extended to predict changes in litter quality in response to resource availability. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was grown in the field in open‐top chambers at 36 and 55 Pa partial pressure CO₂, and initial soil mineralization rates of 45 and 348 μg N g^?1 d^?1. Naturally senesced leaf litter was assessed for chemical composition and incubated in the laboratory for 111 d. Microbial respiration and the production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were quantified as estimates of decomposition. Elevated CO₂ and low soil nitrogen resulted in higher litter concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates and condensed tannins, higher C/N ratios and lower N concentrations. Soil N availability appears to have had a greater effect on litter quality than did atmospheric CO₂, although the treatments were additive, with highest concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates and condensed tannins occurring under elevated CO₂–low soil N. Rates of microbial respiration and the production of DOC were insensitive to differences in litter quality. In general, concentrations of litter constituents, except for starch, were highly correlated to those in live foliage, and the CNB/GDB hypotheses proved useful in predicting changes in litter quality. We conclude the chemical composition of sugar maple litter will change in the future in response to rising atmospheric CO₂, and that soil N availability will exert a major control. It appears that microbial metabolism will not be directly affected by changes in litter quality, although conclusions regarding decomposition as a whole must consider the entire soil food web.     

An invasive frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui, increases new leaf production and leaf litter decomposition rates through nutrient cycling in Hawaii

A frog endemic to Puerto Rico, Eleutherodactylus coqui, invaded Hawaii in the late 1980s, where it can reach densities of 50,000 individuals ha⁻¹. Effects of this introduced insectivore on invertebrate communities and ecosystem processes, such as nutrient cycling, are largely unknown. In two study sites on the Island of Hawaii, we studied the top-down effects of E. coqui on aerial, herbivorous, and leaf litter invertebrates; herbivory, plant growth, and leaf litter decomposition rates; and leaf litter and throughfall chemistry over 6 months. We found that E. coqui reduced all invertebrate communities at one of the two study sites. Across sites, E. coqui lowered herbivory rates, increased NH₄⁺ and P concentrations in throughfall, increased Mg, N, P, and K in decomposing leaf litter, increased new leaf production of Psidium cattleianum, and increased leaf litter decomposition rates of Metrosideros polymorpha. In summary, E. coqui effects on invertebrates differed by site, but E. coqui effects on ecosystem processes were similar across sites. Path analyses suggest that E. coqui increased the number of new P. cattleianum leaves and leaf litter decomposition rates of M. polymorpha by making nutrients more available to plants and microbes rather than through changes in the invertebrate community. Results suggest that E. coqui in Hawaii has the potential to reduce endemic invertebrates and increase nutrient cycling rates, which may confer a competitive advantage to invasive plants in an ecosystem where native species have evolved in nutrient-poor conditions.