亚热带不同树种凋落叶分解对氮添加的响应

为探究不同质量凋落物对氮(N)沉降的响应, 该研究采用尼龙网袋分解法, 在亚热带福建三明格氏栲(Castanopsis kawakamii)自然保护区的米槠(Castanopsis carlesii)天然林, 选取4种本区常见的具有不同初始化学性质的树种凋落叶进行模拟N沉降(N添加)分解实验(施N水平为对照0和50 kg·hm ^-2·a ^-1)。研究结果表明: 在2年的分解期内, 对照处理的各树种凋落叶的分解速率依次为观光木(Michelia odora, 0.557 a ^-1)、米槠(0.440 a ^-1)、台湾相思(Acacia confusa, 0.357 a ^-1)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata, 0.354 a ^-1); N添加处理凋落叶分解速率依次为观光木(0.447 a ^-1)、米槠(0.354 a ^-1)、杉木(0.291 a ^-1)、台湾相思(0.230 a ^-1), 除杉木凋落叶外, N添加显著降低了其他3种凋落叶分解速率。N添加不仅使4种树木凋落叶分解过程中的N释放减慢, 同时还抑制凋落叶化学组成中木质素和纤维素的降解; N添加在凋落叶分解过程中总体上提高β-葡萄糖苷酶(βG)和酸性磷酸酶活性, 对纤维素水解酶的活性影响不一致, 而降低β-N-乙酰氨基葡萄糖苷酶活性和酚氧化酶活性。凋落叶分解速率与凋落叶中的碳获取酶(βG)活性以及其化学组分中的可萃取物含量极显著正相关, 与初始碳浓度、纤维素和木质素含量极显著负相关, 与初始N含量没有显著相关性。凋落物类型和N添加的交互作用虽未影响干质量损失速率, 但对木质素和纤维素的降解具有显著效应。综上所述, 化学组分比初始N含量能更好地预测凋落叶分解速率, 而N添加主要通过抑制分解木质素的氧化酶(如PHO)来降低凋落叶分解速率。     

不同化学性质叶凋落物添加对土壤有机碳矿化及激发效应的影响

凋落物输入可显著影响土壤有机碳(SOC)矿化速率,但添加不同化学性质叶凋落物对土壤有机碳矿化释放CO₂及激发效应的影响及其机理仍不清楚。本研究将亚热带6种树种¹³C标记的叶凋落物添加至天然次生林0～10 cm原位土柱中,比较不同树种叶凋落物添加对土壤总CO₂、外源凋落物和土壤来源CO₂释放速率和累积量以及激发效应的影响,并量化叶凋落物化学性质与土壤CO₂释放累积量、激发效应的相关关系。结果表明: 添加叶凋落物能够显著提高土壤总CO₂和土壤来源CO₂释放量,存在显著正激发效应,激发效应值为68%～128%。不同树种叶凋落物添加对土壤有机碳矿化和激发效应的影响存在显著差异。Pearson相关分析和逐步多元线性回归分析发现,凋落物来源CO₂释放累积量与叶凋落物C、P和纤维素含量呈显著负相关,而土壤来源CO₂释放量与叶凋落物C:N和木质素:N呈显著正相关。综上,不同化学性质的叶凋落物对土壤有机碳矿化和激发效应的影响存在异质性,在亚热带地区森林类型转变过程中营造具有高质量叶凋落物的人工林将有助于减少森林土壤碳损失。     

华西雨屏区亮叶桦凋落叶分解对模拟氮沉降的响应

从2008年1月至2009年2月, 对华西雨屏区亮叶桦(Betula luminifera)人工林进行了模拟氮(N)沉降试验, N沉降水平分别为对照(CK, 0 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、低N (5 g N·m^-2·a^-1)、中N (15 g N·m^-2·a^-1)和高N (30 g N·m^-2·a^-1)。利用凋落袋法对亮叶桦凋落叶进行原位分解试验, 并在每月下旬定量地对各处理施N (NH₄NO₃)。结果表明, 虽然华西雨屏区大气N沉降量较高, 但模拟N沉降试验表明: 在N沉降继续增加的情况下, 凋落叶分解这一碳(C)循环和养分循环过程仍会受到显著影响。在1年的分解试验中, 模拟N沉降显著抑制了亮叶桦凋落叶的分解, N沉降处理使得凋落叶质量损失95%的时间在2.65年的基础上增加了1.14-1.96年。N沉降抑制凋落叶分解的原因在于无机N的富集对木质素和纤维素的分解造成阻碍。N沉降处理也导致C、N、磷、钾和镁元素在凋落物中的残留量增加, 但N沉降加速了钙元素的释放。凋落物基质化学特性在很大程度上决定了凋落物分解对N沉降的响应方向, 以及凋落物分解过程中各元素的动态变化。     

Cumulative cellulolytic enzyme activities and initial litter quality in prediction of cellulose degradation in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau

植物凋落物分解是决定陆地生态系统碳和养分循环的关键生态系统过程。作为凋落物的主要组成部分,纤维素是与凋落物分解相关的微生物的重要能量来源。纤维素酶在凋落物纤维素降解过程中的重要作用已为人们所熟知,然而纤维素降解的季节模式、累积酶活性和凋落物质量是否能预测高寒草甸的纤维素降解仍是一个未解之谜,这限制了我们对草本植物凋落物纤维素降解的认识。 为了探究纤维素降解的季节性模式以及累积纤维素分解酶活性和凋落叶初始质量对纤维素降解的影响,我们在青藏高原东部的高山草甸选取了三种优势种[圆叶筋骨草(Ajuga ovalifolia)、藏羊茅(Festuca wallichanica)和草甸马先蒿(Pedicularis roylei)],进行了为期两年的凋落物网袋分解实验。 我们的研究发现,纤维素在第一年中迅速降解且降解率超过50%,而且主要发生在第一个生长季(31.9%–43.3%)在两年的分解过程中,纤维素降解由累积内切葡聚糖酶(R²= 0.70),累积纤维二糖水解酶(R²= 0.59)和累积1,4-β-葡糖苷酶(R²=       0.57)共同驱动。此外,在这两年的分解过程中,纤维素、可溶性有机碳、总酚、木质素的浓度和木质素/N可以解释纤 维素降解变异的52%–78%)。用初始纤维素浓度模型预测纤维素降解效果最佳(R² = 0.78)。在凋落物的分解过程中,酶效率和微生物对纤维素分解酶的分配因物种而异。藏羊茅凋落物中纤维素酶效率较高,但质量相对较低。与草甸马先蒿相比,完全降解圆叶筋骨草和藏羊茅的纤维素需要4倍和6.7倍的内切葡聚糖酶、3倍和4.5倍的纤维二糖水解酶、1.2倍和1.4倍的1,4-β-葡糖苷酶。我们的研究结果表明,虽然微生物酶活性和凋落物初始质量都对高山草甸纤维素降解有显著影响,但使用纤维素浓度来预测纤维素降解是简化凋落物分解过程中纤维素降解和C循环模型的好方法。     

杉木根系和凋落物对土壤微生物学性质的影响

通过模拟试验,研究了杉木根系和凋落物及其交互作用对土壤微生物学性质的影响.结果表明：杉木根系和凋落物在土壤生态过程中发挥的作用有所不同.与对照相比,杉木根系处理的土壤微生物生物量碳（MBC）、土壤基础呼吸、土壤有机碳（TOC）和微生物熵显著增加,土壤呼吸熵（qCO₂）显著降低（P<0.05）;凋落物处理中,仅土壤基础呼吸和qCO₂显著降低（P<0.05）,而MBC、TOC和微生物熵没有显著变化（P>0.05）.杉木根系和凋落物对土壤基础呼吸和qCO₂的影响具有显著的交互作用.qCO₂与土壤可溶性碳（R²=0.325）及TOC（R²=0.209）含量呈显著正相关,说明微生物对碳的利用效率随土壤有机碳数量的增加而降低.与凋落物相比,杉木根系在土壤生态过程中发挥着更重要的作用.     

氮添加对川西高寒灌丛凋落枝化学计量特征及养分归还的影响

氮(N)是陆地生态系统初级生产力的重要限制因子,大气N沉降的增加将会对植物的化学元素含量和生物量产生重要影响,进而影响凋落物的化学计量特征及其养分归还。高寒灌丛是陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,但有关N沉降对高寒灌丛凋落物尤其是凋落枝的化学元素和生物量的研究还较为缺乏,难以深入揭示N沉降对高寒灌丛土壤碳(C)和养分循环的影响机理。基于此,以青藏高原东部地区的优势高寒灌丛类型—窄叶鲜卑花(Sibiraea angustata(Rehd.) Hand.-Mazz.)灌丛为研究对象,连续4年人工模拟N沉降,分析了凋落枝C、N、磷(P)、木质素和纤维素化学计量特征及其归还量对不同N添加浓度(0、20、50、100 kg hm^-2 a^-1)的响应趋势。结果表明：(1)N添加对凋落枝C、N含量无显著性影响(P>0.05),而对P、木质素和纤维素含量有显著性影响(P<0.05),但不同年份间的影响趋势不一致;(2)4年的N添加并未改变凋落枝的C/N、N/P,但显著降低了凋落枝的木质素/N(第3年)、C/P(第1年和第4年)和C/N/P(第1年);(...     

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.     

氮添加和凋落物处理对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解的影响

为探究氮(N)沉降和凋落物输入量改变对凋落叶分解的影响,该研究于2014年6月至2019年6月,以华西雨屏区处于N饱和状态的常绿阔叶林为研究对象,设置N添加和凋落物处理双因素实验,其中N添加处理分别为对照(CK, 0 kg·hm^–2·a^–1)、低N(LN,50kg·hm^–2·a^–1)和高N(HN,150kg·hm^–2·a^–1),凋落物处理分别为凋落物输入量不变(L0,不改变凋落物输入),减少(L-,减少50%)以及增加(L+,增加50%)。结果表明:6年N添加处理对该森林生态系统地上凋落物产量影响不显著; N添加处理显著抑制凋落叶分解,且N添加量越高,凋落叶分解抑制作用越强;N添加显著降低分解后期凋落叶中锰(Mn)的残留率,促进Mn的释放;凋落物输入量的增减处理未显著改变凋落叶分解速率,而凋落物增减处理升高了凋落叶中Mn的残留率,减缓Mn的释放; N添加和凋落物处理交互作用不显著。该研究表明亚热带N饱和常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解受N沉降的直接影响显著,凋落物处理...     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区慈竹林凋落物分解的影响

试验设对照(CK,0 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)、低氮(LN,50 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)、中氮(MN,150 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)和高氮(HN,300 kg·hm^-2·a^-1)4个施氮水平,通过原位试验,研究了模拟N沉降对华西雨屏区慈竹(Neosinocalamus affinis)林凋落物分解的影响.结果表明：不同组分凋落物分解过程中,慈竹叶片分解速率最快,其次是箨,枝最慢,分解15个月时,叶片、箨、枝的质量残留率分别为26.38%、46.18%和54.54%,三者差异极显著(P<0.01);叶片在凋落后第1～2月和7～10月分解较快,而箨和枝则在第5～8月分解较快;凋落叶片分解95%需要的时间(2.573年)分别比箨和枝短1.686年和3.319年.凋落叶分解15个月时,各N沉降处理间分解率差异不显著;凋落箨分解95%需要2.679～4.259年,其中MN分解率最高,CK最低;凋落枝经过15个月的分解,各处理分解率大小顺序为MN>HN>LN>CK,MN与LN处理间差异达显著水平(P<0.05).说明N沉降对3种凋落物分解均有明显的促进作用,且对凋落箨促进作用最强;但随着N沉降浓度的增加和时间的延长,其促进作用减缓.     

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。     

Linking Foliar Chemistry to Forest Floor Solid and Solution Phase Organic C and N in Picea abies [L.] Karst Stands in Northern Bohemia

Dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen (DOC and DON) produced in the forest floor are important for ecosystem functions such as microbial metabolism, pedogenesis and pollutant transport. Past work has shown that both DOC and DON production are related to litterfall and standing stocks of C and N in the forest floor. This study, conducted in spring, 2003, investigated variation in forest floor water extractable DOC (WEDOC) and DON (WEDON) and forest floor C and N as a function of lignin, cellulose and N contained in live canopy foliage across eight Picea abies [L.] Karst stands in northern Bohemia. Based on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) analysis of foliar materials, lignin:N and cellulose:N content of the youngest needles (those produced in 2002) were positively and significantly related to WEDOC (R² = 0.82–0.97; P<0.01) and to forest floor C:N ratio (R = 0.72–0.78; P<0.01). Foliar N was strongly and negatively related to WEDOC and C:N ratio (R = −0.91 and 0.72; P<0.05) among our study sites. WEDON was positively correlated to foliar lignin:N (R = 0.48; P<0.05; n=40). Forest floor C pools were not positively correlated with foliar lignin and cellulose and forest floor N pools were not positively correlated with foliar N. Instead, a significant negative correlation was found between forest floor N pools and foliar cellulose (R=−0.41; P<0.05), and between forest floor C pools and foliar N (R = −0.44; P<0.05). From a remote sensing standpoint, our results are important because canopy reflectance properties are primarily influenced by the most recent foliage, and it was the chemistry of the most recently produced needles that showed a stronger relationship with forest floor WEDOC and C:N ratio suggesting forest floor production of WEDOC can be calculated regionally with remote sensing.     

Irrigation,fertilization and initial substrate quality effects on decomposing Loblolly pine litter chemistry

Changes in carbon chemistry (i.e., carbon compound classes such as aromatics, phenolics, etc.) of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) litter were examined during three years of decomposition under factorial combinations of irrigation and fertilization treatments. Cross polarization magic angle spinning ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance revealed that total carbon and nutrient concentrations correlated strongly with carbohydrate and O-alkyl carbon concentrations but did not relate well with concentrations of lignin, aromatic and phenolic carbon, or with lignin-related decomposition indices. The best correlations to carbon and nutrient concentrations occurred with the C/N (R²=0.86, P > 0.0001) and alkyl/O-alkyl (R²=0.75, P > 0.0001) decomposition indices. In all situations, the carbon chemistry of the decomposing litter followed the general pattern of accumulation of alkyl and carbonyl carbon with a loss of O-alkyl and methoxy carbon. Only small variations in the aromatic and phenolic carbon concentrations were detected. Since lignin is composed primarily of aromatic and phenolic carbons, the observation that there were only small changes in the aromatic and phenolic carbons of the litter is consistent with the general stability of lignin in these ecosystems. Trends in carbon chemistry during decomposition suggested that fertilization accelerated the decomposition process by about 100% as compared with the control plots. Irrigation also accelerated the decomposition process but to a lower extent (about 62% greater than control plots). Initial litter quality, as defined by the litter C/N, did not have a significant effect on the carbon chemistry of the decomposing litter. This study demonstrated that the decomposition mechanisms were not altered by the treatments but there were important changes in the relative chemistry of the decomposing litter which impacted the rate of decomposition.     

Foliage litter quality and annual net N mineralization: comparison across North American forest sites

The feedback between plant litterfall and nutrient cycling processes plays a major role in the regulation of nutrient availability and net primary production in terrestrial ecosystems. While several studies have examined site-specific feedbacks between litter chemistry and nitrogen (N) availability, little is known about the interaction between climate, litter chemistry, and N availability across different ecosystems. We assembled data from several studies spanning a wide range of vegetation, soils, and climatic regimes to examine the relationship between aboveground litter chemistry and annual net N mineralization. Net N mineralization declined strongly and non-linearly as the litter lignin:N ratio increased in forest ecosystems (r ² = 0.74, P < 0.01). Net N mineralization decreased linearly as litter lignin concentration increased, but the relationship was significant (r ² = 0.63, P < 0.01) only for tree species. Litterfall quantity, N concentration, and N content correlated poorly with net N mineralization across this range of sites (r ² < 0.03, P = 0.17–0.26). The relationship between the litter lignin:N ratio and net N mineralization from forest floor and mineral soil was similar. The litter lignin:N ratio explained more of the variation in net N mineralization than climatic factors over a wide range of forest age classes, suggesting that litter quality (lignin:N ratio) may exert more than a proximal control over net N mineralization by influencing soil organic matter quality throughout the soil profile independent of climate. Received: 16 December 1996 / Accepted: 8 February 1997     

Influence of stand density on soil CO2 efflux for a Pinus densiflora forest in Korea

We investigated the influence of stand density [938 tree ha⁻¹ for high stand density (HD), 600 tree ha⁻¹ for medium stand density (MD), and 375 tree ha⁻¹ for low stand density (LD)] on soil CO₂ efflux (R _S) in a 70-year-old natural Pinus densiflora S. et Z. forest in central Korea. Concurrent with R _S measurements, we measured litterfall, total belowground carbon allocation (TBCA), leaf area index (LAI), soil temperature (ST), soil water content (SWC), and soil nitrogen (N) concentration over a 2-year period. The R _S (t C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) and leaf litterfall (t C ha⁻¹ year⁻¹) values varied with stand density: 6.21 and 2.03 for HD, 7.45 and 2.37 for MD, and 6.96 and 2.23 for LD, respectively. In addition, R _S was correlated with ST (R ² = 0.77–0.80, P < 0.001) and SWC (R ² = 0.31–0.35, P < 0.001). It appeared that stand density influenced R _S via changes in leaf litterfall, LAI and SWC. Leaf litterfall (R ² = 0.71), TBCA (R ² = 0.64–0.87), and total soil N contents in 2007 (R ² = 0.94) explained a significant amount of the variance in R _S (P < 0.01). The current study showed that stand density is one of the key factors influencing R _S due to the changing biophysical and environmental factors in P. densiflora.     

氮磷添加对金露梅叶片化学计量及光合特征的影响

通过三种养分添加处理,氮添加(5、10和15 g??m-2)、磷添加(梯度同氮添加)、氮磷同时添加[(5 g N＋5 g P)??m-2、(10 g N＋10 g P)??m-2、(15 g N＋15 g P)??m-2],对照(无养分添加),探讨养分添加对金露梅叶片性状氮含量(Nmas )、磷含量(Pmas )、氮磷比(N∶P)、比叶重(LMA)、净光合速率(Pn )和光合氮利用效率(PNUE)的影响,以及各性状之间的相互关系.结果表明：在处理水平上,除N或P显著提高金露梅叶片的N∶P外,氮、磷添加对叶片其它性状无显著影响;不同氮、磷处理下添加水平对金露梅叶片的Nmas、N∶P、Pn和PNUE均有显著影响,随着养分水平提高,各性状的变化模式各不相同,叶片Pmas无明显变化,而叶片LMA虽有降低的趋势但不显著.回归分析表明,叶片Pmas与Nmas之间呈显著正相关(R2＝0．347,P＜0．001),叶片Nmas 与N∶P之间也呈显著正相关(R2＝0．018,P＜0．05),而叶片Pmas与N∶P呈显著负相关(R2＝0．505,P＜0．001);叶片LMA与Pn之间显著负相关(R2＝0．02,P＜0．05),而与PNUE之间显著正相关(R2＝0．077,P＜0．001).这表明在一定范围内,环境变化可以改变金露梅叶片的养分保持能力、光合能力以及养分利用效率.     

南亚热带格木和红椎凋落叶及细根分解特征

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

Litter quality and decomposition in Danthonia richardsonii swards in response to CO2 and nitrogen supply over four years of growth

Litter quality parameters of Danthonia richardsonii grown under CO₂ concentrations of ≈ 359 & ≈ 719 μL L^{? 1} at three mineral N supply rates (2.2, 6.7 & 19.8 g m^{? 2} y^{? 1}) were determined. C:N ratio was increased in senesced leaf (enhancement ratios, R_e/c, of 1.25–1.67), surface litter (1.34–1.64) and root (1.13–1.30) by CO₂ enrichment. After 3 years of growth, nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations were reduced in senesced leaf lamina (avg. R_e/c= 0.84) but not in root in response to CO₂ enrichment. Cellulose concentrations increased slightly in senesced leaf (avg. R_e/c= 1.07) but not in root in response to CO₂ enrichment. Lignin and polyphenolic concentrations in senesced leaf and root were not changed by CO₂ enrichment. Decomposition, measured as cumulative respiration in standard conditions in vitro, was reduced in leaf litter grown under CO₂ enrichment. Root decomposition in vitro was lower in the material produced under CO₂ enrichment at the two higher rates of mineral N supply. Significant correlations between decomposition of leaf litter and initial %N, C:N ratio and lignin:N ratio were found. Decomposition in vivo, measured as carbon disappearance from the surface litter was not affected by CO₂ concentration. Arbuscular mycorrhizal infection was not changed by CO₂ enrichment. Microbial carbon was higher under CO₂ enrichment at the two higher rates of mineral N supply. Possible reasons for the lack of effect of changes in litter quality on in‐sward decomposition rates are discussed.     

Litterfall and nutrient returns in red alder stands in western Washington

Summary Litterfall was collected over 1 year from eight natural stands of red alder growing on different sites in western Washington. The stands occurred at various elevations and on different soils, and differed in age, basal area, and site index. Most litterfall was leaf litter (average 86 percent). Amounts of litterfall and leaf litter varied significantly (P<0.05) among the sites. Average weights of litterfall and leaf litter in kg ha^–1 yr^–1, were 5150 and 4440, respectively. Weight of leaf litter was not significantly (P<0.05) related to site index, stand age, or basal area. The sites varied significantly (P<0.05) in concentrations of all elements determined in the leaf litter, except Zn. Average chemical concentrations were: N, 1.98 percent; P, 0.09 percent; K, 0.44 percent; Ca, 1.01 percent; Mg, 0.21 percent; S, 0.17 percent; SO₄–S, nil; Fe, 324 ppm; Mn, 311 ppm; Zn, 53 ppm; Cu, 13 ppm; and Al, 281 ppm. There were significant correlations between some stand characteristics and concentrations of some elements, and among the different chemical components of the leaf litter. Important correlations were found between stand age and P concentration (r=–0.84,P<0.01); weight of leaf litter and P concentration (r=0.74,P<0.05); weight of leaf litter and K concentration (r=0.71,P<0.05); concentrations of N and S (r=0.81,P<0.05); and concentrations of Fe and Al (r=0.98,P<0.01). Returns of the different elements to the soil by leaf litter varied among the different sites. Average nutrient and Al returns, in kg ha^–1 yr^–1, were: N, 82; Ca, 41; K, 19; Mg, 8; S, 7; P, 4; Fe, 1; Mn, 1; Al, 1; Zn, 0.2, and Cu, <0.1.     

Grasping the heterogeneity of kettle hole water quality in Northeast Germany

Riparian vegetation typically provides substantial allochthonous material to aquatic ecosystems where micro-organisms can play an important role in organic matter degradation which can support consumer biomass. We examined the effects of leaf litter quality (e.g., leaf nutrients, lignin and cellulose content), leaf species mixing, and microbial community diversity on in-stream breakdown rates of litter from dominant riparian trees (Melaleuca argentea, M. leucadendra, and Nauclea orientalis) in both a perennial and intermittent river in Australia’s wet-dry tropics. Leaf mass remaining after 82 days of in-stream incubation was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with initial leaf N and P content while initial lignin and cellulose content had no statistically significant effect. Breakdown rates of incubated leaves of both Melaleuca and Nauclea were significantly higher in mixed litter bags compared with single species litter bags. Although it was expected that leaf N content would decrease from initial levels during decomposition, we found either similar or slightly higher N content following in-stream incubation suggesting microbial colonisation increased overall N content. Stable isotopes of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N for the major sources and consumers in both rivers provide evidence that leaf litter was an important macroinvertebrate food source in the perennial river where heavy shading may limit algal production. However, in the intermittent river where riparian cover was low, benthic algae were the major organic carbon source for consumers. Our findings suggest that riparian tree species influence rates of in-stream organic matter processing, microbial community composition, and aquatic food web dynamics in tropical wet-dry streams.