Mixing Effects of Understory Plant Litter on Decomposition and Nutrient Release of Tree Litter in Two Plantations in Northeast China

Understory vegetation plays a crucial role in carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems; however, it is not clear how understory species affect tree litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics. In this study, we examined the impacts of understory litter on the decomposition and nutrient release of tree litter both in a pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) and a poplar (Populus × xiaozhuanica) plantation in Northeast China. Leaf litter of tree species, and senesced aboveground materials from two dominant understory species, Artemisia scoparia and Setaria viridis in the pine stand and Elymus villifer and A. sieversiana in the poplar stand, were collected. Mass loss and N and P fluxes of single-species litter and three-species mixtures in each of the two forests were quantified. Data from single-species litterbags were used to generate predicted mass loss and N and P fluxes for the mixed-species litterbags. In the mixture from the pine stand, the observed mass loss and N release did not differ from the predicted value, whereas the observed P release was greater than the predicted value. However, the presence of understory litter decelerated the mass loss and did not affect N and P releases from the pine litter. In the poplar stand, litter mixture presented a positive non-additive effect on litter mass loss and P release, but an addition effect on N release. The presence of understory species accelerated only N release of poplar litter. Moreover, the responses of mass loss and N and P releases of understory litter in the mixtures varied with species in both pine and poplar plantations. Our results suggest that the effects of understory species on tree litter decomposition vary with tree species, and also highlight the importance of understory species in litter decomposition and nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems.     

马尾松与乡土阔叶树种凋落叶混合分解过程中全碳释放的动态变化

为了调整低山丘陵区低效林林分结构,探明马尾松（Pinus massoniana Lamb.）与乡土阔叶树种凋落叶混合分解过程中的全碳（C）释放规律。本研究以华南广泛分布的马尾松、檫木（Sassafras tzumu（Hemsl.） Hemsl）、香樟（Cinnamomum camphora（Linn） Presl）以及香椿（Toona sinensis（A. Juss.） Roem.）凋落叶为研究对象,将这4个树种凋落叶按照不同树种搭配以及混合比例组合为35个处理后进行野外分解实验,探讨C释放最佳的凋落叶树种组合以及混合比例。研究发现：4个单一树种凋落叶之间,香椿凋落叶的C释放最快,檫木和香樟凋落叶次之,马尾松凋落叶最慢。31个混合凋落叶中,C释放的非加和效应随着分解时间的延长表现出先升增强后减弱的趋势,且相对于其他季节,凋落叶在秋季的非加和效应有所减弱。一针一阔树种组合中,香樟凋落叶占比≥30%的处理：PC73和PC64的协同效应较强;一针两阔和一针三阔组合中,阔叶占比≥30%且含有香椿凋落叶的处理：PST613和712、PCT631和613、PSCT7111和6121的协同效应较强。     

Driving Factors Behind Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release at Temperate Forest Edges

Forest edges have become important features in landscapes worldwide. Edges are exposed to a different microclimate and higher atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition compared to forest interiors. It is, however, unclear how microclimate and elevated N deposition affect nutrient cycling at forest edges. We studied litter decomposition and release of N, phosphorus (P), total cations (TC) and C/N ratios during 18 months via the litterbag technique along edge-to-interior transects in two oak (Quercus robur L.) and two pine (Pinus nigra ssp. laricio Maire and ssp. nigra Arnold) stands in Belgium. Furthermore, the roles of edge conditions (microclimate, atmospheric deposition, soil fauna and soil physicochemical conditions), litter quality and edge decomposer community were investigated as underlying driving factors for litter decomposition. Litter of edge and interior was interchanged (focusing on the influence of edge conditions and litter quality) and placed in open-top chamber (OTC), which create an edge (warmer) microclimate. As the decomposer macrofauna was more abundant at the edge than in the interior, the OTCs were used to isolate the effects of warming versus soil fauna. Oak litter at the edge lost 87 and 37% more mass than litter in the interior. We demonstrated an edge effect on litter decomposition and nutrient release, caused by an interplay of edge conditions (atmospheric deposition of N and TC, soil pH and C/N ratio), litter quality and soil fauna. Consequently, edge effects must be accounted for when quantifying ecosystem processes, such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in fragmented landscapes.     

Effects of Nitrogen Addition on Litter Decomposition and CO2 Release: Considering Changes in Litter Quantity

This study aims to evaluate the impacts of changes in litter quantity under simulated N deposition on litter decomposition, CO₂ release, and soil C loss potential in a larch plantation in Northeast China. We conducted a laboratory incubation experiment using soil and litter collected from control and N addition (100 kg ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ for 10 years) plots. Different quantities of litter (0, 1, 2 and 4 g) were placed on 150 g soils collected from the same plots and incubated in microcosms for 270 days. We found that increased litter input strongly stimulated litter decomposition rate and CO₂ release in both control and N fertilization microcosms, though reduced soil microbial biomass C (MBC) and dissolved inorganic N (DIN) concentration. Carbon input (C loss from litter decomposition) and carbon output (the cumulative C loss due to respiration) elevated with increasing litter input in both control and N fertilization microcosms. However, soil C loss potentials (C output–C input) reduced by 62% in control microcosms and 111% in N fertilization microcosms when litter addition increased from 1 g to 4 g, respectively. Our results indicated that increased litter input had a potential to suppress soil organic C loss especially for N addition plots.     

Leaf Litter Disappearance in Earthworm-Invaded Northern Hardwood Forests: Role of Tree Species and the Chemistry and Diversity of Litter

Earthworm invasion in North American temperate forest reduces forest floor mass, yet the interactions between litter composition, invasive earthworm community composition, and forest floor structure and composition are not well understood. For 2?years, we compared disappearance of leaf litter in field mesocosms in which we manipulated litter composition (monocultures of Quercus rubra, Acer saccharum, and Tilia americana litter, and an equal mixture of all three) and thereby the initial litter chemistry (C, C fractions, N, Ca) in sites with and without the major litter-feeding invasive earthworm species. The disappearance of litter mass followed the same ranking at both the sites: T. americana?>?equal mixtures?>?A. saccharum?≥?Q. rubra. However, differences in disappearance rate between the sites depended on litter composition and time. The differences in mass loss among litters of different compositions were greatest at the site invaded by the large litter-feeding earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris, and especially for T. americana and the mixture. Similarly, observed disappearance of the litter mixture was faster than predicted by an additive model at the site with L. terrestris, especially for the higher quality litter component in early summer. Initial litter calcium content was the best predictor (R ²?≥?0.90) of overall litter mass remaining each year, supporting the idea of the importance of calcium in forest floor dynamics, especially in the presence of calciferous, invasive earthworms.     

Tree Diversity,Initial Litter Quality,and Site Conditions Drive Early-Stage Fine-Root Decomposition in European Forests

Ecosystems - Decomposition of dead fine roots contributes significantly to nutrient cycling and soil organic matter stabilization. Most knowledge of tree fine-root decomposition stems from studies...     

Genetic Identity of Populus tremuloides Litter Influences Decomposition and Nutrient Release in a Mixed Forest Stand

Recent research has shown that genetic variation can directly impact community and ecosystem level processes. Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen) is an extremely widespread and genetically diverse tree species important to many North American forest ecosystems. Using leaf litter from five genotypes grown in a common garden under two nutrient treatments, we tracked litter decomposition in a natural aspen stand for 1 year. Here we show that aspen leaf litter decomposes and releases carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in relation to its genetic identity. In a secondary experiment, we show that the genetic diversity of aspen litter mixtures can influence decomposition, however weakly so. Overall, nutrient treatments influenced leaf litter decomposition the most, followed by genetic identity, and then by genetic diversity (if at all in some cases). In this widespread, genetically diverse, and dominant species, genetic variation within a single species is important to ecosystem functioning. The relatively weak effect of genetic diversity on the processes measured here does not preclude its importance to ecosystem functioning, but does suggest that genetic identity and composition are more important than genetic diversity per se.     

The Study on the Litter Decomposition of Chinese Pine and Oriental Oak

In this paper, the decomposition rates of the litter of Pinus tabulaefomis and Quercus variabilis placed in chinese pine plantation on Xi Shem in Beijing have been studied, the results showed that the differance between two kinds of litter was insignificant. The ratio of weight loss of litter placed in chinese pine plantation for 591 days was 24.2-28.06%. The exponential decay model has been used, the litter decomposition rates were estimated 0.190-4).210 g/g/year for Pinus tabulaeformis and 0.176-0.203 g/g/year for Quercus variabilis. The chemical component analysis of litter re- presented that the weight loss of litter was caused by losing gross fat, soluble sugar; tannin, organic carbon initially. The correlation coefficients between the weight loss rate and the net chemical component loss of Pinus tabulaeformis and Quercus variabilis were 0.970 (p<0.05) and 0.982 (p<0.05), respectively.     

辽东栎叶片凋落物在不同气候带下的分解及其主要元素释放的比较

辽东栎叶片凋落物在不同气候带下的分解及其主要元素释放的比较 王立新 王 瑾 黄建辉     

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.     

辽东栎叶片凋落物在不同气候带下的分解及其主要元素释放的比较

应用分解网袋法对辽东栎（Quercus liaotungensis Koize)叶片凋落物分别在暖温带的东灵山,亚热带的神农架,热带的西双版纳为期1-2年的分解和K,Ca,Mg,Fe,P,Cu,Mn等营养元素释放动态进行比较研究。三个气候带下辽东栎叶片凋落物质量损失基本符合Olson的指数模型。但降解速率有很大的差别。气候条件对凋落物的分解和营养元素的释放影响很大,降水量增多,年均温增高,凋落物分解速率相应加快,研究还发现影响营养元素释放的因素除公认的土壤生物（土壤动物和土壤微生物）作用外。对于Fe,Mn等元素遵循的是“化学因素主导”模式。特征在于由于化学螯合作用。其释放过程和凋落物本身失重呈显著负相关。另外,对不同因素占主导的各种分解模式进行了归纳总结。     

Litter Decomposition in Four Woody Species in a Mediterranean Climate: Weight Loss, N and P Dynamics

Decomposition dynamics in leaves and needles of two Mediterraneanshrubs and two pine species growing in the Sierra de Filabres(Almería, Spain) was investigated during 2 years usingthe litter bag technique. The species studied are representativeof the vegetation of the study area and differ greatly in theirfoliar traits. Results are discussed in relation to the initiallitter quality (C, N and P) and through the application of theexponential decay model. The mass lost at the end of study variedin the order: Pinus pinaster < Pinus nigra < Cistus laurifolius< Adenocarpus decorticans. Differences in annual rates ofdecomposition among species are consistent with the particularchemical and structural attributes of their leaves. The massof decomposing litter remaining after 2 years was positivelyassociated with the initial C:N ratio. Weight loss and nutrientrelease were fastest in the leguminous A. decorticans. The resultssuggest the importance of both structure and elemental concentrationof initial litter for decomposition dynamics in Mediterraneanspecies. Copyright 2000 Annals of Botany Company Adenocarpus decorticans Boiss., C:N ratio, Cistus laurifolius L., litter decomposition, litter quality, Mediterranean environments, nutrient dynamics, Pinus pinaster Aiton, Pinus nigra Arnold, single exponential model, Southern Spain     

Nutrient Movement in Litter Fall and Precipitation Components for Central Himalayan Forests

The annual total litter fall in six Central Himalayan forestsranged from 2.1 to 3.8 t C ha^–1, of which 54 to 82 percent was leaf litter, 9–20 per cent wood litter and 6–14per cent other litter. In all forests the order of relativeabundance of nutrients (kg ha^-1 year^-1) in litter fall was Ca(50.8–91.6) > N (47.7–72.2) > K (22.8–37.1)> P (4.1–6.4). Leaf litter accounted for 63–95per cent of the total nutrients returned through litter fall. In these forests throughfall ranged from 71.3 to 81.4 per cent,stemflow from 0.50 to 2.16 per cent and canopy interceptionfrom 17.7 to 28.2 per cent of the gross rainfall. In the incidentrainfall the concentration and annual input of Ca was the greatestand of P the least. Canopy precipitation was richer in all nutrientscompared to incident rainfall. Net gain of nutrients from thecanopy ranged from 0.16 kg ha^-1 year^-1, for P, to 17.77 kg ha^-1year^-1 for K. Leaching was greatest for K and least for N. Ofthe total quantity of nutrients returned to the soil, 11 to46 per cent was accounted for by precipitation components. Thusprecipitation inputs play a significant role in nutrient cyclingof these forests. Himalaya, forest, litter fall, precipitation components, nutrients     

红松人工林枝叶分解速度及养分动态的研究

修枝作为培育无节良材的重要经营措施已被广泛应用于生产,修落的枝叶能为林地提供大量的有机物,分解后提高林地土壤肥力。为了探明红松人工纯林枝叶分解过程中各种营养元素的变化规律,我们于1984年至1986年在草河     

Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics in a Phosphorus Enriched Everglades Marsh

A field study was conducted in a nutrient-impacted marsh in Water Conservation Area 2A (WCA-2A) of the Everglades in southern Florida, USA, to evaluate early stages of plant litter (detritus) decomposition along a well-documented trophic gradient, and to determine the relative importance of environmental factors and substrate composition in governing decomposition rate. Vertically stratified decomposition chambers containing native plant litter (cattail and sawgrass leaves) were placed in the soil and water column along a 10-km transect coinciding with a gradient of soil phosphorus (P) enrichment. Decomposition rate varied significantly along the vertical water–soil profile, with rates typically higher in the water column and litter layer than below the soil surface, presumably in response to vertical gradients of such environmental factors as O₂ and nutrient availability. An overall decrease in decomposition rate occurred along the soil P gradient (from high- to low-impact). First-order rate constant (k) values for decomposition ranged from 1.0 to 9.2 × 10⁻³ day⁻¹ (mean = 2.8 ×10⁻³ day⁻¹) for cattails, and from 6.7 × 10⁻⁴ to 3.0 ×  10⁻³ day⁻¹ (mean = 1.7 ×  10⁻³ day⁻¹) for sawgrass. Substantial N and P immobilization occurred within the litter layer, being most pronounced at nutrient-impacted sites. Nutrient content of the decomposing plant tissue was more strongly correlated to decomposition rate than was the nutrient content of the surrounding soil and water. Our experimental results suggest that, although decomposition rate was significantly affected by initial substrate composition, the external supply or availability of nutrients probably played a greater role in controlling decomposition rate. It was also evident that nutrient availability for litter decomposition was not accurately reflected by ambient nutrient concentration, e.g., water and soil porewater nutrient concentration.     

Precipitation Regime and Nitrogen Addition Effects on Leaf Litter Decomposition in Tropical Dry Forests

We conducted a year‐long field experiment to investigate how nitrogen addition affected decomposition of Piscidia piscipula and Gymnopodium floribundum along a precipitation gradient in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Nitrogen addition did not affect decomposition rates at the drier sites. However, fertilization at the wettest site increased the decomposition of Gymnopodium litter and decreased the decomposition of Piscidia litter. Water‐soluble carbon and lignin, and water‐soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations were the best predictors of decomposition for Gymnopodium and Piscidia litters, respectively. We conclude that the effects of nitrogen addition on decomposition will vary from site to site as a function of mean annual precipitation, inherent soil fertility, and species identity.     

Phenology of Tree Species in Bolivian Dry Forests

Phenological characteristics of 453 individuals representing 39 tree species were investigated in two dry forests of the Lomerío region, Department of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The leaf, flower, and fruit production of canopy and sub–canopy forest tree species were recorded monthly over a two–year period. Most canopy species lost their leaves during the dry season, whereas nearly all sub–canopy species retained their leaves. Peak leaf fall for canopy trees coincided with the peak of the dry season in July and August. Flushing of new leaves was complete by November in the early rainy season. Flowering and fruiting were bimodal, with a major peak occurring at the end of the dry season (August–October) and a minor peak during the rainy season (January). Fruit development was sufficiently long in this forest that fruiting peaks actually tended to precede flowering peaks by one month. A scarcity of fruit was observed in May, corresponding to the end of the rainy season. With the exception of figs (Ficus), most species had fairly synchronous fruit production. Most canopy trees had small, wind dispersed seeds or fruits that matured during the latter part of the dry season, whereas many sub–canopy tree species produced larger animal– or gravity–dispersed fruits that matured during the peak of the rainy season. Most species produced fruit annually. Lomerio received less rainfall than other tropical dry forests in which phenological studies have been conducted, but rainfall can be plentiful during the dry season in association with the passage of Antarctic cold fronts. Still, phenological patterns in Bolivian dry forests appear to be similar to those of other Neotropical dry forests.     

死、活地被物对红松伴生树种天然更新影响的实验研究

1963年在小兴安岭丰林自然保护区红松林及有关的皆伐迹地上设置了61组,325个实验样方,定期观察到1965年,以研究死、活地被物对人工播种的红松林伴生树种种子发芽和幼苗初期存活、生长的影响。实验表明死、活地被物,特别是死地被物的干湿变化剧烈,影响幼苗的成活,甚至使种子或幼根无法接触土壤,因而种粒越小,或轻而带翅,受影响越大。此外本文还指出了桦树种子的强迫休眠和延迟发芽现象。讨论了实验结果在红松林演替和人工促进天然更新中的意义。