Does the Gradualness of Leaf Shedding Govern Nutrient Resorption from Senescing Leaves in Mediterranean Woody Plants?

To reveal the environmental and substrate quality effects on decomposition process and enzyme activities, litterbag experiments containing Nuphar and Carex leaves, Nuphar rhizome, and Ranunculus shoot, were carried in five-subalpine marshes in Lake Tahoe basin, USA. Alkaline phosphatase, β-glucosidase, and β-xylosidase activities were determined by a fluorogenic method using methyumbelliferyl substrates. Carex leaves, Nuphar rhizome and leaves, and Ranunculus shoots lost, respectively, 33, 67, 82 and 93% of original dry weight over 268 days. Decay rates were different among substrates but not among marshes. Nitrogen and carbon contents increased during the first 58 days and subsequently remained stable. Phosphorus content was stable during the experimental period except for a decrease in the first 16 days in Nuphar shoots. Enzyme activities in decomposing Carex and Nuphar leaves in four marshes were not significantly affected by environmental conditions. β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase activities in decomposing Carex leaves increased with time, but in other plant tissue these enzyme activities remained stable during experimental period. Enzyme activities were significantly different among decomposing substrates. Alkaline phosphatase activity was highest in Nuphar leaves (ca. 1286 μ-mole h⁻¹ g DW −1) but lower and similar in other plant tissues (ca. 100 and 10 μ-mole h −1 g DW −1, respectively). This study showed differences in decay rates and enzyme activities rely on substrate and not the environment conditions of the study area. Decomposition rates in the early stage of decomposition were related to cumulative enzyme activities.     

Decomposition processes of Spartina maritima in a salt marsh of the Basque Country

Decomposition dynamics of aerial parts and root-rhizomes of Spartina maritima in a Basque Country salt marsh was studied, using litter bags placed on the soil surface and buried 10 cm below ground. Aerial parts of the plant in aboveground position showed higher breakdown rates than samples placed belowground. There was no significant difference found between aerial parts and root-rhizomes buried. Nitrogen and phosphorus followed different dynamics (seasonal changes and progressive losses) that may be a consequence of distinctive mineralization pathways. The low faunal richness and densities belowground reflect the unfavourable life conditions in such a situation and, to a certain extent, the lower decomposition rates of buried litter. Four mathematical expressions that fit the data are presented and discussed.     

Decomposition of emergent macrophytes in a Wisconsin marsh

Loss of both dry weight and nutrients during decomposition was measured using litter bags, both in a natural marsh and in controlled experiments. At 348 days dry weight remains of Typha latifolia, Sparganium eurycarpum, Scirpus fluviatilis shoot litter in the marsh were 47.5, 26.9, 51.4% respectively, and for the rootrhizome litter were 59.1, 42.1, 27.8% (Scirpus > Sparganium > Typha). Under controlled conditions both temperature and type of water produced significant effect on dry weight loss of Typha leaves. Sterilization and antibiotics effectively inhibited the growth and activities of decomposers. Initial weight, N, P, Ca, and Mg losses resulted chiefly from leaching. These elements accumulated in spring and summer; N exhibited the highest accumulation. In the laboratory, N accumulation occurred within 15 days, as a result of microorganisms inhabiting the litter. Increase in P, Ca, Mg in later stages of decomposition were attributed to microorganisms, epiphytes, and precipitation from solution. High C : N ratios and relatively low P, Ca, Mg in original standing crop may be the cause of low herbivore consumption, whereas the relative increases in N, P, Ca, Mg in decomposed litter provide a more nutrient-rich substrate for detritivores. Much of the nutrient uptake in the annual cycle is via microbial and detritivore growth rather than by macrophyte producers.     

Decomposition of Spartina anglica,Elytrigia pungens and Halimione portulacoides in a Dutch salt marsh in association with faunal and habitat influences

Decomposition of Spartina anglica, Elytrigia pungens and Halimione portulacoides was studied for 20.5 months in situ in two habitats on a salt marsh in The SW Netherlands. Litter bags of three different mesh sizes were used to exclude meio- and/or macrofauna. The middle-marsh habitat was flooded more frequently than the plant-debris habitat in the highest marsh zone. Decomposition of the three species followed an exponential pattern of decay: instantaneous decay rates varied from 0.0026 to 0.0054 per day. Decay rates were significantly influenced by habitat factors and fauna, while there was a significant interaction between plant species and habitat. In case of a significant meio- and/or macrofauna effect, this became noticeable 12–16 weeks after the start of decomposition and resulted in a difference of 5–10% ash-free dry weight remaining after 20.5 months. Nematodes were the dominant microfaunal group in the plant litter. Densities were influenced by habitat conditions but not by resource quality, season and meio- and/or macrofauna. Only initial C/N and C/P ratios were correlated with differences in decomposition rates between the plant species. During the later stages of decomposition N and P concentrations of the plant litter were higher in the plant-debris habitat than in the middle-marsh habitat, probably as a result of fluctuating detritivores densities. The course of the decomposition process differed per plant species and per habitat. The results of this study underline the importance of knowledge of long-term decomposition rates.     

Decomposition and nutrient release in halophytes of a Mediterranean salt marsh

This study dealt with the decomposition and nutrient release from the halophytes Atriplex portulacoides, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum, Limoniastrum monopetalum, and Spartina densiflora, the dominant species in the Castro Marim salt marsh, Portugal. Environmental effects on decomposition were also assessed. The study was carried out for one year using the in situ litterbag technique. S. densiflora showed a lower decomposition rate (k = 0.003 day⁻¹) than the other study species (k = 0.005-0.009). Study species showed similar decomposition patterns, that is, the weight loss mostly occurred during the autumn-winter period (study beginning in November). This indicates that temperature in this period did not hamper the decomposition process. The decomposition rate was positively affected by the initial N concentration (r² = 0.87, P < 0.05) and negatively by the C:N ratio (r² = 0.86, P < 0.05) in decomposing materials. At the end of the study, S. densiflora and L. monopetalum, the species with lower initial N concentrations, retained much higher proportion of initial N (89-109%) than the others (5-14%). Also, S. densiflora with the lowest P concentration retained higher proportion of initial P (48%) than the others (5-20%). Release of K and Mg were also slower from S. densiflora and was associated with their initial low concentration in this species. The lowest Mn release was observed from A. macrostachyum and also in relation to the lowest initial concentration. Our study supports the hypothesis that decomposition patterns of marsh species are mostly associated with differences regarding their morphology and chemical composition. Given the higher resistance of S. densiflora to decomposition, its progressive spreading may result in accumulation of organic detritus overtime in invaded salt marshes.     

Fungal biomass and decomposition in Spartina maritima leaves in the Mondego salt marsh (Portugal)

Spartina maritima (Curtis) Fernald is a dominant species in the Mondego salt marsh on the western coast of Portugal, and it plays a significant role in estuarine productivity. In this work, leaf litter production dynamics and fungal importance for leaf decomposition processes in Spartina maritima were studied. Leaf fall was highly seasonal, being significantly higher during dry months. It ranged from 42 g m^-2 in June to less than 6 g m^-2 during the winter. Fungal biomass, measured as ergosterol content, did not differ significantly between standing-decaying leaves and naturally detached leaves. Fungal biomass increased in wet months, with a maximum of 614 g g^-1 of ergosterol in January in standing-decaying leaves, and 1077 g g^-1 in December, in naturally detached leaves, decreasing greatly in summer. Seasonal pattern of fungal colonization was similar in leaves placed in litterbags on the marsh-sediment surface. However, ergosterol concentrations associated with standing-decaying and naturally detached leaves were always much higher than in litterbagged leaves, suggesting that fungal activity was more important before leaf fall. Dry mass of litterbagged leaves declined rapidly after 1 month (about 50%), mostly due to leaching of soluble organic compounds. After 13 months, Spartina leaves had lost 88% of their original dry weight. The decomposition rate constant (k) for Spartina maritima leaves was 0.151 month^-1.     

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.     

Effect of bryophytes on survival of conifer seedlings in subalpine forests of central Japan

Bryophytes form the major seedbed for coniferous trees in the subalpine forests of central Japan. Field experiments were conducted on the floor of a closed stand dominated byTsuga on Mt Fuji to examine the seedling survival ofAbies veitchii andTsuga diversifolia in seven substrate types in relation to the morphological characteristics of the seeds and seedlings. NeitherAbies norTsuga seedlings could survive on dwarf-bamboo litter beyond 2 years after the seed rain.Abies seedlings survived not only in all types of bryophyte communities but also in larch litter. In contrast, the survival ofTsuga seedlings was restricted to communities of smaller-statured bryophytes found on logs. The seeds and 1st year seedlings ofA. veitchii were larger than those ofT. diversifolia. Abies seedlings produced hypocotyls taller than any bryophyte community and radicles which were long enough to penetrate into the moist humus layer, whereasTsuga seedling radicles presumably penetrate into humus only in bryophyte communities forming a thin mat on logs. The effect of bryophytes on survival of tree seedlings therefore depends on the relationships between the morphology of seeds and seedlings and the structure of bryophyte communities.     

闽江口芦苇与短叶茳芏湿地土壤无机硫形态分布特征及其影响因素

选择闽江口鳝鱼滩的芦苇湿地、短叶茳芏湿地以及二者交错带湿地为对象,研究了不同类型湿地土壤无机硫赋存形态的分布特征及其主要影响因素。结果表明,芦苇与短叶茳芏在空间扩展过程中形成的交错带湿地土壤的水溶性硫(H_2O-S)、吸附性硫(Adsorbed-S)和盐酸可溶性硫(HCl-Soluble-S)含量在0—40 cm土层上整体要高于芦苇湿地和短叶茳芏湿地,而盐酸挥发性硫(HCl-Volatile-S)含量则与之相反。在垂直方向上,不同类型湿地土壤的H_2O-S、Adsorbed-S和HCl-Soluble-S含量整体均自表层向下呈先降低而后增加的变化,而盐酸挥发性硫(HCl-Volatile-S)含量则与之相反。3种类型湿地土壤中不同形态无机硫平均含量整体均表现为HCl-Soluble-S H_2O-S Adsorbed-S HCl-Volatile-S,且其总无机硫(TIS)平均含量分别占全硫(TS)含量的22.29%—39.99%(芦苇湿地)、32.39%—33.33%(交错带湿地)和30.20%—30.86%(短叶茳芏湿地)。与芦苇湿地和短叶茳芏湿地相比,交错带湿地土壤的H_2O-S、Adsorbed-S、HCl-Soluble-S和TIS平均含量整体均呈增加趋势,增幅分别为36.94%和54.31%、34.84%和13.03%、73.25%和67.59%以及45.72%和45.28%;与之不同,HCl-Volatile-S平均含量则呈降低趋势,降幅分别为2.78%和22.24%。不同类型湿地土壤中H_2O-S、Adsorbed-S和TIS含量的变化主要受有机质含量和细颗粒组成的控制,而HCl-Soluble-S和HCl-Volatile-S含量主要受土壤氧化还原环境和金属元素分布的影响。研究发现,芦苇与短叶茳芏的空间扩展明显增加了交错带湿地土壤的H_2O-S、Adsorbed-S、HCl-Soluble-S和TIS含量,但降低了HCl-Volatile-S含量,说明二者的空间扩展在整体提高交错带湿地土壤有效硫供给能力的同时,亦降低了挥发性硫化物可能对二者生长产生的不利影响,这对于保持二者在交错带湿地中的竞争力具有重要生态意义。     

Estimation of primary production using five different methods in a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh

The aboveground production of Spartina alterniflora in a salt marsh in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, USA was estimated using five different harvest methods: peak standing crop (PSC), Milner-Hughes, Smalley, Wiegert-Evans, and Lomnicki et al., and a non-destructive method based on measurement of stem density and longevity. Annual production estimates were 831 ± 41, 831 ± 62, 1231 ± 252, 1873 ± 147 and 1437 ± 96 g dry wt m^–2 for each method, respectively. The average longevity of individually tagged young shoots was 5.2 ± 0.2 months, equivalent to an annual turnover rate of 2.3 crops per year. Among the five methods, Wiegert-Evans and Lomnicki et al. were considered more accurate than the other three because they corrected for mortality losses between sampling times. The Lomnicki et al. method was preferred over the Wiegert-Evans method because of its greater simplicity.     

Food selection by brook trout in a subalpine stream

The diet and food selection of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and macroinvertebrate drift are described for a high altitude stream (3 205 m above mean sea level) adjacent to the alpine zone on the Snowy Range in the Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming. Diet composition differed between brook trout of two length classes, 150 mm and > 150 mm in total length. The number of prey organisms per stomach generally declined and the proportion of terrestrial prey items increased from July to September, 1985. Fish of both length classes selected for Trichoptera and Coleoptera over the three sampling months, and fish > 150 mm also selected for terrestrial insects in August and September.The Unit is jointly supported by the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the US Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe Unit is jointly supported by the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service     

A comparison of Phragmites australisin freshwater and brackish marsh environments in North America

This paper compares the available North Americanliterature and data concerning several ecologicalfactors affecting Phragmites australisin inlandfreshwater, tidal fresh, and tidal brackish marshsystems. We compare aboveground productivity, plantspecies diversity, and sediment biogeochemistry; andwe summarize Phragmiteseffects on faunalpopulations in these habitats. These data suggest thatPhragmitesaboveground biomass is higher thanthat of other plant species occurring in the samemarsh system. Available data do not indicate anysignificant difference in the aboveground Phragmitesbiomass between marsh types, nor doesthere appear to be an effect of salinity on height.However, Phragmitesstem density wassignificantly lower in inland non-tidal freshwatermarshes than in tidal marshes, whether fresh orbrackish. Studies of the effects of Phragmiteson plant species richness suggest that Phragmitesdominated sites have lower diversity.Furthermore, Phragmiteseradication infreshwater sites increased plant diversity in allcases. Phragmitesdominated communities appearto have different patterns of nitrogen cyclingcompared to adjacent plant communities. Abovegroundstanding stocks of nitrogen (N) were found to behigher in Phragmitessites compared to thosewithout Phragmites. Porewater ammonium(NH₄ ⁺) did not differ among plant covertypes in the freshwater tidal wetlands, but inbrackish marshes NH₄ ⁺was much higher inSpartinaspp. than in neighboring Phragmitesstands. Faunal uses of Phragmitesdominated sites in North America were found to vary bytaxa and in some cases equaled or exceeded use ofother robust emergent plant communities. In light ofthese findings, we make recommendations for futureresearch.     

Decomposition of Acer Rubrum Leaves at three depths in a eutrophic Ohio lake

Decomposition of terrestrial litterfall, that could enter a lake, was investigated at three depths within the lake in question using leaves of red maple (Acer rubrum). Sixty litter bags each containing 10 g dry weight of maple leaves were anchored at 1 m, 4 m and 12 m in East Twin Lake. At monthly intervals five bags were harvested at each level and dry weight changes noted. Results indicate little difference in decomposition between depths over the winter months. Beginning in May, however, significant differences were noted between 1 m and all other depths for the remainder of the experimental period. Maples lost 100% of weight at 1 m, 54% at 4 m, and 55% at 12 m over the experimental period. The rate of decomposition over the total experiment period was approximately .03 g da^–1 at 1 m and .015 g da^–1 at the 4 and 12 m depths. These results are discussed in terms of regulation of decomposition, position of decomposition and contribution to lake metabolism.     

Succession of microfungal assemblages in decomposing peatland plants

We investigated the microfungal assemblages in the decomposing tissues of dominant plant species in two peatlands in southern boreal Alberta, Canada, to determine if distinct patterns of succession of microfungi occurred throughout the first two years of decomposition. These plant species were Sphagnum fuscum from a bog and Carex aquatilis leaves and rhizomes and Salix planifolia leaves and roots from a riverine, sedge-dominated fen. Canonical correspondence analyses, a multivariate statistical analysis used infrequently in mycological research, revealed distinct patterns of fungal species succession in two of the five litters (S. fuscum and C. aquatilis leaves). Furthermore, our analyses showed that substantially different microfungal assemblages were associated with these litters within the first two years of decomposition. Litter quality variables, such as total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total carbon tissue nutrient concentrations, explained most of the succession patterns and differences in the microfungal assemblages of these five litters. Our data did not reveal the classical taxonomic zygomycete – ascomycete/fungi imperfecti – basidiomycete pattern of succession during organic matter decomposition. Similarly, a succession of functional groups of microfungi, i.e., cellulose-degraders preceding lignin-degraders, generally was not apparent. Instead, microfungi with broad spectra of enzymatic abilities co-existed over the first two years of decomposition in these peatland plant litters. These microfungi have a limited ability to decompose complex phenolic polymers, such as lignin, resulting in the accumulation of peat in these ecosystems. Some microfungal taxa were not affected by changes in litter quality, environmental variables, or surface water chemistry and were present at all stages of decomposition.     

Crab: snail size-structured interactions and salt marsh predation gradients

We studied size-structured predator-prey interactions between blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) and marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata) with a combination of field studies, laboratory experiments and individual-based modeling. Size distributions of Littoraria differed among years at the same sites in a salt marsh and could largely be explained by dominance of strong cohorts in the population. At a given site, abundance increased with elevation above tidal datum. Size-selective predation by blue crabs does not appear to be an important regulator of snail size distributions but may have a major effect on local abundance. Laboratory studies indicated that predator-prey interactions between Callinectes and Littoraria are strongly size-dependent. Crabs were generally effective at feeding on periwinkles at size ratios greater than approximately 6 (crab width: snail length). At lower size ratios crabs were far less effective at manipulating the snails, which often survived but with damaged shells. An individual-based model which incorporated information about incidence of snail shell scarring (resulting from non-lethal interactions) and snail density, predicted reduced predation rates and smaller average crab size with distance from the low tide refugium for crabs.     

三江平原沼泽湿地枯落物分解及其营养动态

分解袋法研究了三江平原典型沼泽湿地枯落物的分解速率和N、P营养动态.湿地枯落物的分解速率（0.000612～0.000945 d^-1）在群落间差异显著,分解480d,分别损失初始重的45.36%（Carexpseudocuraica）、35.32%（Carex lasiocarpa）、33.72%（Deyeuxia angustifolia）和29.13%（Deyeuxia angustifolia-Shrub）,即随淹水深度由大到小、淹水时间由长到短,枯落物分解由快到慢,说明湿地的淹水状况是影响枯落物分解速率的主要因素.分解过程中,漂筏苔草和毛果苔草枯落物N浓度持续上升,N在枯落物中积累;小叶章枯落物N浓度在第1个月快速下降而后缓慢上升,分解使枯落物释放N.各类枯落物P浓度的变化大致呈不同程度的降低趋势,分解使湿地枯落物均发生P释放.结果表明,微生物的营养需求状况决定了湿地枯落物N、P的动态变化,而其积累或释放的强度则可能与枯落物初始C：N和C：P的大小有关.     

祁连山亚高山灌丛优势植物水分来源

选取祁连山东部亚高山灌丛的6种优势植物:山生柳(Salix oritrepha Schneid)、头花杜鹃(Rhododendron capitatum Maxim)、绣线菊(Spiraea salicifolia L.)、高山柳(Salix cupularis)、千里香杜鹃(Rhododendron thymifolium Maxim)和金露梅(Potentilla fruticosa Linn),利用稳定同位素技术及多元线性混合模型(Isosource)定量分析典型高寒区植物的水分来源。结果表明:乌鞘岭地区7—8月的大气降水线为δD=7.775δ~(18)O+12.34(R~2=0.871,P0.001),反映了该地区气温低,湿度大的气候特点;6种优势植物的水分来源主要是降水,其次为0—10cm土壤水,地下水对各种植物水分的贡献率最小;6种优势植物对各水源的利用在不同时段有差异,7月份主要利用降水和浅层土壤水,而8月份各种植物的主要水源均为降水;绣线菊和头花杜鹃利用土壤水分的能力较强,头花杜鹃对地下水的利用率高于其他植物。     

Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of marsh litter in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

The litterbag technique was used to study the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of marsh litter in the four communities, Carex pseudocuraica (C.pa), C. lasiocarpa (C.la), Deyeuxia angustifolia (D.aa), and D. angustifolia-Shrub (D.aa-Srb), in Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Decomposition was divided into two periods in the first year, with the mass loss ranging from 11.7% to 31.4% of the initial mass during summer and autumn, accounting for more than 75% of the annual loss. The decomposition rates ranged from 0.000 612 to 0.000 945 d^-1 depending on the depth of the flooding and its duration, and differed significantly in each community. The litter decomposed faster in communities with deeper and perennial flooding than in those with shallow and seasonal flooding. The initial ratios of C:N and C:P were also different among the four litter types, but these differences had no impact on the decomposition rates, suggesting that the main factor influencing the decomposition rates of marsh litter was the flooding status rather than the litter quality. The N concentrations in C.pa and C.la almost continuously increased over time, with their final values being 2.8 and 2.4 times higher than the initial ones, respectively. However, the nutrient dynamics in D.aa and D.aa-Srb offered another pattern, sharply falling in the first month and then gradually rising, with the values at the end of the experiment being close to those at the beginning. The litter accumulated substantial amounts of N in C.pa and C.la, while net N release from the litter was observed in both D.aa and D.aa-Srb. The difference may be caused by microorganisms' demand for nutrition, and then limited by the C:N ratios of litter and the availability of nitrogen from the soil and marsh water. In contrast with N dynamics, P concentrations of all the litter types apparently decreased during the first month, and then continued to decline in C.pa, remained constant in C.la and D.aa and increased slightly in D.aa-Srb. At the end of the experiment, the P concentrations decreased, respectively, by 56%, -5%, 47% and 24% of the initial values of C.la, C. pa, D.aa and D.aa-Srb. The net P release was observed in all marsh litter over 480 days of decomposition and the intensity of the P release was different amongst communities, which may be regulated by ratios of initial C:P. The results suggested that in the marsh with the N limitation, litter tended to accumulate N and release P during decomposition and the intensity of accumulation or release was closely related to the initial C:N and C:P ratios.     

Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of marsh litter in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

The litterbag technique was used to study the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of marsh litter in the four communities, Carex pseudocuraica (C.pa), C. lasiocarpa (C.la), Deyeuxia angustifolia (D.aa), and D. angustifolia-Shrub (D.aa-Srb), in Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China. Decomposition was divided into two periods in the first year, with the mass loss ranging from 11.7% to 31.4% of the initial mass during summer and autumn, accounting for more than 75% of the annual loss. The decomposition rates ranged from 0.000 612 to 0.000 945 d^?1 depending on the depth of the flooding and its duration, and differed significantly in each community. The litter decomposed faster in communities with deeper and perennial flooding than in those with shallow and seasonal flooding. The initial ratios of C:N and C:P were also different among the four litter types, but these differences had no impact on the decomposition rates, suggesting that the main factor influencing the decomposition rates of marsh litter was the flooding status rather than the litter quality. The N concentrations in C.pa and C.la almost continuously increased over time, with their final values being 2.8 and 2.4 times higher than the initial ones, respectively. However, the nutrient dynamics in D.aa and D.aa-Srb offered another pattern, sharply falling in the first month and then gradually rising, with the values at the end of the experiment being close to those at the beginning. The litter accumulated substantial amounts of N in C.pa and C.la, while net N release from the litter was observed in both D.aa and D.aa-Srb. The difference may be caused by microorganisms' demand for nutrition, and then limited by the C:N ratios of litter and the availability of nitrogen from the soil and marsh water. In contrast with N dynamics, P concentrations of all the litter types apparently decreased during the first month, and then continued to decline in C.pa, remained constant in C.la and D.aa and increased slightly in D.aa-Srb. At the end of the experiment, the P concentrations decreased, respectively, by 56%, ?5%, 47% and 24% of the initial values of C.la, C. pa, D.aa and D.aa-Srb. The net P release was observed in all marsh litter over 480 days of decomposition and the intensity of the P release was different amongst communities, which may be regulated by ratios of initial C:P. The results suggested that in the marsh with the N limitation, litter tended to accumulate N and release P during decomposition and the intensity of accumulation or release was closely related to the initial C:N and C:P ratios.     

Effects of growing conditions on the growth of and interactions between salt marsh plants: implications for invasibility of habitats

A common but often less tested explanation for the successful invasion of alien species is that invasive alien species outcompete their co-occurring natives, which may not always be the case. In this study, we established artificial environmental gradients in a series of pot experiments with controlled environments to investigate the effects of salinity, sediment type and waterlogging on the performance of and interactions between Phragmites australis (native) and Spartina alterniflora (alien), which generally co-exist in the saline intertidal zones of Chinese and American coasts. Significant effects of salinity and waterlogging were detected on biomass production and morphological characteristics of S. alterniflora and P. australis, and the competitive interactions between the two species were found to vary with all three environmental factors in our experiments. Relative Neighbor Effect (RNE) analyses indicate that competitive dominance of S. alterniflora occurred under the conditions of high salinity, sandy sediment and full immersion, whereas P. australis showed competitive dominance under the conditions of low salinity and non-immersion. Our results suggest that S. alterniflora might outcompete P. australis under conditions present in early salt marsh succession, which support the viewpoint that the outcomes of competition between co-occurring native and invasive alien plants depend on the growing conditions. The implication of this study is that in response to the environmental changes expected from seawater intrusion and sea-level rise, the range of S. alterniflora is expected to expand further in the Yangtze River estuary in the future.