Organic Matter and Nitrogen Cycles in a Pine Afforested Catchment with a Shrub Layer of Adenocarpus decorticans and Cistus laurifolius in South-eastern Spain

Organic matter and nitrogen cycles in two mediterranean woodyshrubs (Adenocarpus decorticans Boiss. andCistus laurifoliusL.) and two pine species were investigated during 1987–1989in a small, recently pine-afforested catchment in Sierra delos Filabres (Almería Province, south-eastern Spain).Pine cover was sparse because canopy closure was not yet completed,allowing strong shrub colonization in the clearings. The aimof this study was to compare the contribution of different annualfluxes and the distribution of organic matter and nitrogen inboth shrub and pine components for the entire catchment. Specialemphasis was placed on the N use strategy shown by the two shrubspecies, a symbiotic N₂fixing species (A. decorticans) and anon-fixing species (C. laurifolius). Our results showed that the characteristics of C and N cyclingin the Nacimiento catchment are mainly determined by the earlystage of pine layer development and the significant contributionof the two shrub species differing with respect to C acquisitionand N use. The pine layer was characterized by a low standing biomass,substantial percentages of needle biomass and high (net production/biomass)and (needle production/total net production) ratios. N uptakewas mainly diverted to biomass increment, as shown by the substantialallocation found in this study. Overall, these results are consistentwith the patterns described for even-aged stands during theearly-growth phase. Retranslocation supplied 21% of the annualN requirements for pine above-ground biomass production. C. laurifolius showed low litter-fall return, strong retranslocation,efficient utilization of N in bulk deposition and slow decomposition,suggesting a closer, self-regulated organic matter and N-conservingbehaviour thanA. decorticans . On the contrary,A. decorticansshowed high leaf turnover, strong litter-fall return, low retranslocationand fast mineralization of organic matter and nitrogen, indicatingthat internal organic matter and N cycling is less efficient,and thus, that this species is more dependent on the soil tomeet its N requirements. Adenocarpus decorticans Boiss.; biogeochemical cycles,Cistus laurifolius L.; mediterranean shrubs; nitrogen fixation; nitrogen use; pine afforestation; south-eastern Spain; woody legumes     

Impact of active soil carbonate and burn size on the capacity of the rockrose Cistus laurifolius to produce Tuber melanosporum carpophores in truffle culture

There are very few studies on Tuber melanosporum associated with Cistus populations. In central Spain, we confirm that C. laurifolius shows carpophore production of Tuber melanosporum. This study demonstrates a correlation between T. melanosporum production and the size of the 41 burns, with burn size explaining 26 % of the variability in carpophore production. However, statistical analysis of the results indicates that average production of 21 burns with Cistus laurifolius is 73 % lower than the production of 20 burns associated with Quercus/Corylus without Cistus laurifolius in this zone, respectively. C. laurifolius develops small burns, which has an impact on their carpophore production, and their soils have 92 % less active carbonate than the burns associated with Quercus/Corylus in this zone, respectively. The low levels of active carbonate allow Cistus laurifolius to grow, but impair Tuber melanosporum production. We thus provide a mechanism, based on the inability of Cistus laurifolius to grow in highly carbonated soils, which contradicts the well-known fact that C. laurifolius might act as a transmitter of Tuber melanosporum mycorrhizae. These results indicate that this rockrose can not be considered a useful species for truffle culture. We thus recommend that particular attention should be given to the concentration of active carbonate present in the soil in future studies on the relationship between Cistus species and truffles.     

No-till reduces global warming potential in a subtropical Ferralsol

Aims

We investigated the link between tree community composition and soil microbial community biomass and structure in central-eastern Spain.

Methods

The effects of the forest stand composition on the soil organic matter dynamics and on the structure and activity of the soil microbial community have been determined using phospholipid fatty acid profiles and soil enzymatic activities.

Results

The soil and litter N and C contents were higher in Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Quercus ilex mixed forest stands (SBHO) and in long-term unmanaged Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPC) than in pure Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii forest stands (SBPA) and Pinus nigra Arn. ssp. salzmannii and Juniperus thurifera mixed forest stands (SBSJ). The bacterial biomass was significantly higher in SBSJ and SBPA than in SBPC and SBHO. The results show an uncoupling of the soil microbial biomass and its activity. pH is related to microbial biomass and its community structure under a Mediterranean humid climate.

Conclusions

The tree species seem to affect the biomass of the soil microbial community and its structure. The pH, but not the C/N ratio, is a factor influencing the microbial dynamics, biomass, and community structure.     

Early effects of phenolic compounds, extracted from two forest litters, on ammonium uptake and assimilation in Pinus laricio and Pinus pinaster seedlings

The early effects of low molecular weight phenolic compounds, released by Pinus laricio and Pinus pinaster litter, on ammonium uptake and its assimilation in two Pinus species were studied. In Pinus laricio seedlings, the exposure to phenols extracted from Pinus laricio litter increased not only the ammonium uptake but also the activity of the main enzymes involved in its assimilation, whereas the phenols extracted from Pinus pinaster litter had a negative effect on these metabolic processes. In Pinus pinaster seedlings, the exposure to both phenols decreased the ammonium uptake and the activity of the main enzymes involved in its assimilation. Histological analysis carried out in Pinus laricio roots showed that phenols extracted from Pinus laricio litter induced the greatest growth of cortex, element through which occurs the ions uptake in plants, whereas phenol extracted from Pinus pinaster litter inhibited cortex development. On the other hand, in Pinus pinaster seedlings the observation showed that both phenols inhibited cortex growth indicating a strict correlation between cortex development and ammonium uptake and its assimilation.     

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.     

Effects of mixing pine and broadleaved tree/shrub litter on decomposition and N dynamics in laboratory microcosms

This study was carried out to compare the ecological function of exotic pine (Pinus radiata—Pr) and native pine (Pinus tabulaeformis—Pt) in terms of litter decomposition and its related N dynamics and to evaluate if the presence of broad-leaved tree species (Cercidiphyllum japonicum—Cj) or shrub species (Ostryopsis davidiana—Od) litter would promote the decomposition of pine needles and N cycling. Mass remaining, N release of the four single-species litters and mixed-species (Pt + Cj; Pr + Cj; Pt + Od; Pr + Od) litters and soil N dynamics were measured at microcosm scale during an 84-day incubation period. The Pt and Pr litter, with poorer substrate quality, indicated slower decomposition rates than did the Cj and Od litter. Due to their high C/N ratios, the N mass of Pt and Pr litter continuously increased during the early stage of decomposition, which showed that Pt and Pr litter immobilized exogenous N by microbes. No significant differences of soil inorganic, dissolved organic and microbial biomass N were found between the Pt and Pr microcosm at each sampling. The results showed that the exotic Pr performed similar ecological function to the native Pt in terms of litter decomposition and N dynamics during the early stage. The presence of Cj or Od litter increased the decomposition rates of pine needle litter and also dramatically increased soil N availability. So it is feasible for plantation managers to consider the use of Cj as an ameliorative species or to retain Od in pine plantations to promote the decomposition of pine litter and increase nutrient circulation. The results also suggested that different species litters induced different soil dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). As a major soluble N pool in soil, DON developed a different changing tendency over time compared with inorganic N, and should be included into soil N dynamic under the condition of our study.     

Carbon and nitrogen status of litterfall, litter decomposition and soil in even-aged larch, red pine and rigitaeda pine plantations

The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) status in forest ecosystems can change upon establishment of plantations because different tree species have different nutrient cycling mechanisms. This study was carried out to evaluate C and N status of litterfall, litter decomposition and soil in three adjacent plantations consisting of one deciduous (larch: Larix leptolepis) and two evergreen (red pine: Pinus densiflora; rigitaeda pine: P. rigida × P. taeda) species planted in the same year (1963). Both the pine plantations showed comparatively higher C input from needle litter but significantly lower N concentration and input than the larch plantation (P < 0.05). During the decomposition process, the deciduous larch needle litter showed low C concentration and C remaining in soil, but high N concentration and N remaining in soil compared to the two evergreen pine needle litters. However, the soil C and N concentration and their content at a soil depth of 0–10 cm were not affected significantly (P > 0.05) by the plantation type. These results demonstrate the existence of considerable variation in C and N status resulting from needle litter input and litter decomposition in these three plantations grown at sites with similar environmental conditions.     

美国南卡罗来纳州森林湿地十种典型植物凋落叶的分解特征

凋落叶分解是控制森林湿地物质循环的重要生态过程,是全球C、N等元素循环的重要一部分。以美国南卡罗来纳州10种典型植物的凋落叶为研究对象,通过2a的分解实验测定分解阶段凋落叶的生物量残留率、分解速率常数k和C、N残留百分比,探讨初始凋落叶化学性质对分解速率常数k的影响。结果表明:(1)十种凋落叶生物量在两年内降解至初始的14.5%—66.2%,种间差异可达4倍以上;分解速率常数k在0.26—1.64a~(-1)之间,针叶分解速率阔叶分解速率;(2)分解速率常数k与初始凋落叶酸溶性组分(AS)极显著正相关(P0.001),与初始C含量、酸不溶组分(AIF)和AIF/N比均显著负相关(P0.05);(3)凋落叶C残留百分比持续下降至10.2%—66.1%,而N残留百分比因物种与分解阶段不同呈现不同变化规律。结果表明,森林湿地中凋落叶初始C组分差异是其分解速率的种间极大差异的主要原因,评估森林湿地的C、N循环应充分考虑种间差异。     

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.     

The Influence of Cellulose Content on Tensile Strength in Tree Roots

Root tensile strength is an important factor to consider when choosing suitable species for reinforcing soil on unstable slopes. Tensile strength has been found to increase with decreasing root diameter, however, it is not known how this phenomenon occurs. We carried out tensile tests on roots 0.2–12.0 mm in diameter of three conifer and two broadleaf species, in order to determine the relationship between tensile strength and diameter. Two species, Pinus pinaster Ait. and Castanea sativa Mill., were then chosen for a quantitative analysis of root cellulose content. Cellulose is responsible for tensile strength in wood due to its microfibrillar structure. Results showed that in all species, a significant power relationship existed between tensile strength and root diameter, with a sharp increase of tensile strength in roots with a diameter <0.9 mm. In roots >1.0 mm, Fagus sylvatica L. was the most resistant to failure, followed by Picea abies L. and C. sativa., P. pinaster and Pinus nigra Arnold roots were the least resistant in tension for the same diameter class. Extremely high values of strength (132–201 MPa) were found in P. abies, C. sativa and P. pinaster, for the smallest roots (0.4 mm in diameter). The power relationship between tensile strength and root diameter cannot only be explained by a scaling effect typical of that found in fracture mechanics. Therefore, this relationship could be due to changes in cellulose content as the percentage of cellulose was also observed to increase with decreasing root diameter and increasing tensile strength in both P. pinaster and C. sativa.     

Effects of forest fire ash on germination and early growth of four pinus species

Fire modifies the germination of seeds of numerous species. One of the fire factors that cause these modifications is the ash. This study analysed the germination of seeds of Pinus sylvestris L., Pinus nigra Arn. Pinus radiata D. Don and Pinus pinaster Aiton, subjected to different ash treatments, and the development of seedlings that grew in these conditions for 14 weeks. We obtained the ash by completely burning leaves and small twigs from the most abundant woody species in populations of pines. The ash treatments applied were as follows: Control (without ash), Low (half of the amount registered in a fire), Medium (equal to the amount registered in a fire) and High (double the amount registered in a fire). Germination took place on paper inside Petri dishes and in soil, and growth was only analysed for the plants that grew in the soil. For all species, and especially P. nigra, germination rate decreased as the amount of ash applied increased. The negative effects of the ash were more apparent following treatments in Petri dishes than in the soil. In the dishes, the average germination time varies little between the four species of pine. In soil, the average germination time is more prolonged, and only some differences were observed between treatments in P. sylvestris and P. nigra. In these species the high treatment significantly increased the average germination time. We found a greater sensitivity of P. sylvestris and P. nigra to the addition of ash, showing a higher seedling mortality rate. However, it appears that seedling development (length and weight) was not affected in any of the species through the addition of ash. These tests allow us to deduce that, in P. sylvestris, P. nigra, P. radiata and P. pinaster, the ash produced by forest fires has an inhibiting effect on germination and little effect on the development of seedlings in the first months of life. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

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.     

Drivers of spatial variability in urban plant and soil isotopic composition in the Los Angeles basin

Aims

Plant litter decomposition plays an important role in the storage of soil organic matter in terrestrial ecosystems. Conversion of native vegetation to agricultural lands and subsequent land abandonment can lead to shifts in canopy structure, and consequently influence decomposition dynamics by alterations in soil temperature and moisture conditions, solar radiation exposure, and soil erosion patterns. This study was conducted to assess which parameters were more closely related to short-term decomposition dynamics of two predominant Mediterranean leaf litter types.

Methods

Using the litterbag technique, we incubated leaf litter of Pinus halepensis and Rosmarinus officinalis in two Mediterranean land-uses with different degree of vegetation cover (open forest, abandoned agricultural field).

Results

Fresh local litter lost between 20 and 55% of its initial mass throughout the 20-month incubation period. Rosemary litter decomposed faster than pine litter, showing net N immobilization in the early stages of decomposition, in contrast to the net N release exhibited by pine litter. Parameters related to litter quality (N content or C:N) or land-use/site conditions (ash content, an index of soil deposition on litter) were found to explain the cross-site variability in mass loss rates for rosemary and Aleppo pine litter, respectively.

Conclusions

The results from this study suggest that decomposition drivers may differ depending on litter type in this Mediterranean ecosystem. While rosemary litter was degraded mainly by microbial activity, decomposition of pine litter was likely driven primarily by abiotic processes like soil erosion.     

原始阔叶红松林下红松、蒙古栎混合凋落叶分解特征及相互作用研究

采用凋落物网袋（litter bag）分解法,模拟红松（Pinus koraiensis）(以下用P表示)和蒙古栎（Quercus mongolica）（以下用M表示）在不同演替阶段可能的组成比例(P、M/P1∶3、M/P1∶1、M/P3∶1、M）进行野外分解实验。分析不同比例的两种凋落叶混合的分解特征、相互作用及机理。结果表明：1.从质量损失率来看,与单种凋落叶分解情况相比,蒙古栎和红松凋落叶混合对凋落物分解具有促进作用,其中蒙古栎和红松（M/P）按1∶3混合分解最快,且随着蒙古栎凋落叶在混合比例中的增加,混合分解速率先减小后增大。2.从C、N元素动态看,C素在各处理的凋落叶主要表现为净释放,而N素在各处理中变现比较复杂,在各处理的红松凋落叶中表现为富集,而在各处理蒙古栎凋落叶中则表现为释放。蒙古栎凋落叶可以促进红松凋落叶C元素释放和N元素的富集,降低红松凋落叶的C/N比,促进红松凋落叶的分解。红松凋落叶能促进蒙古栎凋落物C元素释放,但对蒙古栎凋落叶N元素的释放作用不明显,对蒙古栎凋落叶的C/N比影响也并不一致。     

Influence of leaf litter type on the chemical evolution of a soil parent material (sandstone)

The influence of leaves of Quercus suber L. and Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and needles of Pinus pinaster Ait. on a sandstone substrate was assessed through lysimetric studies during a ten-year period at a site in Central Portugal. The decomposition rate of Q. suber leaf litter was similar to that of E. globulus and higher than that of P. pinaster needle litter. The proportion of nitrogen released from the Q. suber leaf litter was higher than that lost from the other organic species. Such a release was proportional to the initial nitrogen content in the substrates. The concentrations of both NH₄-N and NO₃-N were much higher in leachates collected under Q. suber leaf litter than in those collected under the other organic substrates. A similar trend was found in the leachates collected under the mineral substrate influenced by the studied organic substrates. The leachate concentrations of mineral N (especially NO₃-N) were higher from the mineral substrate under Q. suber leaf litter than from this organic substrate itself. The mineral substrate under leaf litter of E. globulus or needle litter of P. pinaster showed an increase in exchangeable base cations and pH values, and a decrease in extractable Al. Conversely, in the substrate with Q. suber leaf litter there was only a slight increase in exchangeable base cations and pH values, and a decrease in extractable Al. These results combined with those obtained in soils under E. globulus plantations indicate that changes found in these soils are due to soil and forest management practices rather than to the decomposition process of the respective of leaf litter.     

Dry-matter Production and Photosynthesis in Pine Seedlings

Growth analysis and photosynthesis measurements were carriedout on first-year seedlings of Pinus radiata, P. contorta, andP. nigra. P. sylvestris was also included in two growth-analysisexperiments. There appeared to be no difference in relativegrowth-rate (RGR) between the species mentioned, except betweenP. radiata and P. nigra. It was found that when the level ofmineral nutrition was high, P. radiata had a higher RGR thanP. nigra and that the reverse was true at low mineral nutrientlevels. There was no difference in net assimilation rate (NAR)between the species, but NAR appeared to increase and decreasewith mineral nutrient supply. Net photosynthesis per unit of leaf was somewhat higher in P.radiata than in P. contorta; P. nigra had a lower photosyntheticrate than either P. radiata or P. contorta.     

四川盆地亚热带常绿阔叶林凋落叶多酚类物质在不同降雨期间的降解特征

植物多酚类物质是森林凋落物中的重要组分,其含量的多寡在一定程度上决定了凋落物的分解速率。然而,凋落物分解过程中多酚类物质的降解动态仍不十分清楚。因此,以四川盆地亚热带常绿阔叶林最具代表性的3个针叶树种马尾松(Pinus massoniana)、柳杉(Cryptomeria fortunei)、杉木(Cunninghamia lanceolata)和3个阔叶树种香樟(Cinnamomum camphora)、红椿(Toona ciliata)、麻栎(Quercus acutissima)凋落叶为对象,采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了6种凋落叶多酚类物质在第一年不同降雨期间的降解特征。结果表明:自微量降雨期起至雨季前期止,6种凋落叶多酚类物质具有一致的降解动态,降解率均表现为随着降水量的增加而增加;自雨季后期之后,多酚类物质含量均处于稳定状态。第一个分解年,6种凋落叶多酚类物质降解率大小顺序依次为:红椿(100%)柳杉(97.81%)杉木(94.45%)麻栎(93.67%)马尾松(93.06%)香樟(91.64%)。分解初期旱季两时期(微量降雨期和春季少雨期),6种凋落叶多酚类物质均有较大的降解量,其降解率占全年降解率的42.16%—71.20%。并且,除香樟以外的5种凋落叶多酚类物质大量降解释放发生在雨季前期,占全年降解率的44.46%—55.72%。此外,凋落叶多酚类物质初始含量与其降解率呈显著的二次函数关系。可见,降雨是湿润亚热带常绿阔叶林区凋落物多酚类物质降解的关键驱动因子之一,树种组成是影响凋落物多酚类物质降解的内部因素。     

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.     

Stream carbon and nitrogen supplements during leaf litter decomposition: contrasting patterns for two foundation species

Leaf litter decomposition plays a major role in nutrient dynamics in forested streams. The chemical composition of litter affects its processing by microorganisms, which obtain nutrients from litter and from the water column. The balance of these fluxes is not well known, because they occur simultaneously and thus are difficult to quantify separately. Here, we examined C and N flow from streamwater and leaf litter to microbial biofilms during decomposition. We used isotopically enriched leaves (¹³C and ¹⁵N) from two riparian foundation tree species: fast-decomposing Populus fremontii and slow-decomposing Populus angustifolia, which differed in their concentration of recalcitrant compounds. We adapted the isotope pool dilution method to estimate gross elemental fluxes into litter microbes. Three key findings emerged: litter type strongly affected biomass and stoichiometry of microbial assemblages growing on litter; the proportion of C and N in microorganisms derived from the streamwater, as opposed to the litter, did not differ between litter types, but increased throughout decomposition; gross immobilization of N from the streamwater was higher for P. fremontii compared to P. angustifolia, probably as a consequence of the higher microbial biomass on P. fremontii. In contrast, gross immobilization of C from the streamwater was higher for P. angustifolia, suggesting that dissolved organic C in streamwater was used as an additional energy source by microbial assemblages growing on slow-decomposing litter. These results indicate that biofilms on decomposing litter have specific element requirements driven by litter characteristics, which might have implications for whole-stream nutrient retention.     

Effects of exotic and native tree leaf litter on soil properties of two contrasting sites in the Iberian Peninsula

Aims

We assessed the effects of native and exotic tree leaf litter on soil properties in two contrasting scenarios. The native Quercus robur and Pinus pinaster tree species coexist with the aliens Eucalyptus globulus and Acacia dealbata in acid soils of NW Spain. The native trees Fraxinus angustifolia and Ulmus minor coexist with the aliens Ailanthus altissima, Robinia pseudoacacia and Ulmus pumila in eutrophic basic riparian soils in Central Spain.

Methods

Four plastic trays per species were filled with homogenized top-soil of the site and covered with leaf litter. Before and after 9?months of incubation, litter mass, soil pH, organic matter, mineral and total N were measured. Available mineral N (NO ₃ ^? -N and NH ₄ ⁺ -N) was assessed every 2?months.

Results

Soil biological activity was higher in the basic than in the acid soil. Litter of the exotic trees tended to decompose less than litter of native species, probably due to the presence of secondary metabolites in the former. Soil pH, mineral and total N responded differently to different litter types, irrespective of their exotic or native origin (acid soil), or was similar across litter treatments (basic riparian soil). The similar response of the basic soil to the addition of different litter types may be due to the low contrast of litter quality between the species. E. globulus litter inhibitied soil microbial activity much more than the rest of the studied litter types, leading to a drastic impoverishment of N in soils.

Conclusion

Litter of exotic N-fixing trees (A. dealbata and R. pseudoacacia) did not increase soil N pools because of the inhibition of microbial activity by secondary compounds. Therefore, secondary metabolites of the litter played a major role explaining exotic litter impact on soil properties.