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1.
Litter decomposition of a pine plantation is affected by species evenness and soil nitrogen availability 总被引:2,自引:0,他引:2
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. 相似文献2.
Ingeborg Callesen Lars Ola Nilsson Inger Kappel Schmidt Lars Vesterdal Per Ambus Jesper Riis Christiansen Peter Högberg Per Gundersen 《Plant and Soil》2013,368(1-2):375-392
Aims
We investigated the influence of tree species on the natural 15N abundance in forest stands under elevated ambient N deposition.Methods
We analysed δ15N in litter, the forest floor and three mineral soil horizons along with ecosystem N status variables at six sites planted three decades ago with five European broadleaved tree species and Norway spruce.Results
Litter δ15N and 15N enrichment factor (δ15Nlitter–δ15Nsoil) were positively correlated with N status based on soil and litter N pools, nitrification, subsoil nitrate concentration and forest growth. Tree species differences were also significant for these N variables and for the litter δ15N and enrichment factor. Litter from ash and sycamore maple with high N status and low fungal mycelia activity was enriched in 15N (+0.9 delta units) relative to other tree species (European beech, pedunculate oak, lime and Norway spruce) even though the latter species leached more nitrate.Conclusions
The δ15N pattern reflected tree species related traits affecting the N cycling as well as site fertility and former land use, and possibly differences in N leaching. The tree species δ15N patterns reflected fractionation caused by uptake of N through mycorrhiza rather than due to nitrate leaching or other N transformation processes. 相似文献3.
Monique Weemstra Frank J. Sterck Eric J. W. Visser Thomas W. Kuyper Leo Goudzwaard Liesje Mommer 《Plant and Soil》2017,415(1-2):175-188
Aim
The fine roots of trees may show plastic responses to their resource environment. Several, contrasting hypotheses exist on this plasticity, but empirical evidence for these hypotheses is scattered. This study aims to enhance our understanding of tree root plasticity by examining intra-specific variation in fine-root mass and morphology, fine-root growth and decomposition, and associated mycorrhizal interactions in beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) forests on soils that differ in resource availability.Methods
We measured the mass and morphological traits of fine roots (i.e. ≤ 2 mm diameter) sampled to 50 cm depth. Fine-root growth was measured with ingrowth cores, and fine-root decomposition with litter bags. Mycorrhizal fungal biomass was determined using ingrowth mesh bags.Results
Both tree species showed more than three times higher fine-root mass, and a ten-fold higher fine-root growth rate on sand than on clay, but no or marginal differences in overall fine-root morphology. Within the fine-root category however, beech stands had relatively more root length of their finest roots on clay than on sand. In the spruce stands, ectomycorrhizal mycelium biomass was larger on sand than on clay.Conclusions
In temperate beech and spruce forests, fine-root mass and mycorrhizal fungal biomass, rather than fine-root morphology, are changed to ensure uptake under different soil resource conditions. Yet enhancing our mechanistic understanding of fine-root trait plasticity and how it affects tree growth requires more attention to fine-root dynamics, the functional diversity within the fine-roots, and mycorrhizal symbiosis as an important belowground uptake strategy.4.
H. Herlitzius 《Oecologia》1983,57(1-2):78-97
The decomposition (meaning disappearance) of different leaf types and artificial leaves made from cellulose hydrate foil was studied in three forests — an alluvial forest (Ulmetum), a beech forest on limestone soil (Melico-Fagetum), and a spruce forest in soil overlying limestone bedrock. Fine, medium, and coarse mesh litter bags of special design were used to investigate the roles of abiotic factors, microorganisms, and meso- and macrofauna in effecting decomposition in the three habitats. Additionally, the experimental design was carefully arranged so as to provide information about the effects on decomposition processes of the duration of exposure and the date or moment of exposure.
- Exposure of litter samples oor 12 months showed:
- Litter enclosed in fine mesh bags decomposed to some 40–44% of the initial amount placed in each of the three forests. Most of this decomposition can be attributed to abiotic factors and microoganisms.
- Litter placed in medium mesh litter bags reduced by ca. 60% in alluvial forest, ca. 50% in beech forest and ca. 44% in spruce forest.
- Litter enclosed in coarse mesh litter bags was reduced by 71% of the initial weights exposed in alluvial and beech forests; in the spruce forest decomposition was no greater than observed with fine and medium mesh litter bags. Clearly, in spruce forest the macrofauna has little or no part to play in effecting decomposition.
- Sequential month by month exposure of hazel leaves and cellulose hydrate foil in coarse mesh litter bags in all three forests showed that one month of exposure led to only slight material losses, they did occur smallest between March and May, and largest between June and October/November.
- Coarse mesh litter bags containing either hazel or artificial leaves of cellulose hydrate foil were exposed to natural decomposition processes in December 1977 and subsampled monthly over a period of one year, this series constituted the From-sequence of experiments. Each of the From-sequence samples removed was immediately replaced by a fresh litter bag which was left in place until December 1978, this series constituted the To-sequence of experiments. The results arising from the designated From- and To-sequences showed:
- During the course of one year hazel leaves decomposed completely in alluvial forest, almost completely in beech forest but to only 50% of the initial value in spruce forest.
- Duration of exposure and not the date of exposure is the major controlling influence on decomposition in alluvial forest, a characteristic reflected in the mirror-image courses of the From- and To-sequences curves with respect to the abscissa or time axis. Conversely the date of exposure and not the duration of exposure is the major controlling influence on decomposition in the spruce forest, a characteristic reflected in the mirror-image courses of the From-and To-sequences with respect to the ordinate or axis of percentage decomposition.
- Leaf powder amendment increased the decomposition rate of the hazel and cellulose hydrate leaves in the spruce forest but had no significant effect on their decomposition rate in alluvial and beech forests. It is concluded from this, and other evidence, that litter amendment by leaf fragments of phytophage frass in sites of low biological decomposition activity (eg. spruce) enhances decomposition processes.
- The time course of hazel leaf decomposition in both alluvial and beech forest is sigmoidal. Three s-phases are distinguished and correspond to the activity of microflora/microfauna, mesofauna/macrofauna, and then microflora/microfauna again. In general, the sigmoidal pattern of the curve can be considered valid for all decomposition processes occurring in terrestrial situations. It is contended that no decomposition (=disappearance) curve actually follows an e-type exponential function. A logarithmic linear regression can be constructed from the sigmoid curve data and although this facilitates inter-system comparisons it does not clearly express the dynamics of decomposition.
- The course of the curve constructed from information about the standard deviations of means derived from the From- and To-sequence data does reflect the dynamics of litter decomposition. The three s-phases can be recognised and by comparing the actual From-sequence deviation curve with a mirror inversion representation of the To-sequence curve it is possible to determine whether decomposition is primarily controlled by the duration of exposure or the date of exposure. As is the case for hazel leaf decomposition in beech forest intermediate conditions can be readily recognised.
5.
Aims
Feather mosses form a thick ground layer in boreal forests that can intercept incoming litter fall. This interception may influence the decomposition of incoming litter but this has been little explored. We investigated how the moss layer influences decomposition of intercepted litter along a 362-year fire driven forest chronosequence in northern Sweden across which soil fertility declines.Methods
We placed leaf litter from three plant species into plots in which mosses and dwarf shrubs were either experimentally removed or left intact, at each of ten stands across the chronosequence. After one year we measured litter mass loss, and litter nitrogen and phosphorous.Results
Litter decomposed consistently faster, and had higher nitrogen and phosphorus, in the presence of mosses and at greater depth in the moss layer. Despite an increase in moss depth across the chronosequence we did not find consistent increases in effects of moss removal on litter decomposition or on litter N or P.Conclusions
Our findings identify a clear role of the moss layer in boreal forests in promoting the decomposition of intercepted leaf litter, and highlight that this role is relatively consistent across chronosequence stages that vary greatly in productivity and moss depth. 相似文献6.
Christian Brandstätter Katharina Keiblinger Wolfgang Wanek Sophie Zechmeister-Boltenstern 《Plant and Soil》2013,371(1-2):139-154
Aims
Litter decomposition and subsequent nutrient release play a major role in forest carbon and nutrient cycling. To elucidate how soluble or bulk nutrient ratios affect the decomposition process of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) litter, we conducted a microcosm experiment over an 8 week period. Specifically, we investigated leaf-litter from four Austrian forested sites, which varied in elemental composition (C:N:P ratio). Our aim was to gain a mechanistic understanding of early decomposition processes and to determine microbial community changes.Methods
We measured initial litter chemistry, microbial activity in terms of respiration (CO2), litter mass loss, microbial biomass C and N (Cmic and Nmic), non purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), NH4 +, NO3 - and microbial community composition (phospholipid fatty acids – PLFAs).Results
At the beginning of the experiment microbial biomass increased and pools of inorganic nitrogen (N) decreased, followed by an increase in fungal PLFAs. Sites higher in NPOC:TDN (C:N of non purgeable organic C and total dissolved N), K and Mn showed higher respiration.Conclusions
The C:N ratio of the dissolved pool, rather than the quantity of N, was the major driver of decomposition rates. We saw dynamic changes in the microbial community from the beginning through the termination of the experiment. 相似文献7.
Aims
We characterized dissolved organic matter (DOM) leached during decomposition of deciduous silver birch litter (Betula pendula Roth.), coniferous Norway spruce litter (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and a mixture of these litters in order to find out whether the properties of DOM would explain the earlier observed signs for higher microbial activity in soil under birch than spruce.Methods
DOM leached from decomposing litters was collected in a litter-column experiment in the laboratory. Adsorption properties (XAD-8 resin fractionation) and molecular weight as well as the degradability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) were measured three times during decomposition: 1) in the early stages, 2) after the mass loss reached 20–30 % and 3) when the mass loss reached 30–40 %.Results
The leaching of DOC hydrophilic neutrals and bases, regarded easily degradable, decreased during decomposition. The leaching of DOC in hydrophobic acids, regarded refractory, increased from spruce and especially from the mixture litter during decomposition and may be connected to the degree of litter decomposition that was highest for the mixture. Unexpectedly, the degradability of DOC differed only slightly between the litters but the degradability of DON was substantially higher for spruce than birch. Spruce DOM seemed to be more N-rich than birch DOM in the early stages of decomposition and it seemed that labile DON was mobilized earlier from spruce than birch litter.Conclusions
We conclude that the decomposition degree of litter determines largely the properties of DOM. The observed differences in the properties of DOM sampled during the litter decomposition cannot explain differences in C and N cycling between birch and spruce. 相似文献8.
Litterfall interception by understorey vegetation delayed litter decomposition in Cinnamomum camphora plantation forest 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
Aims
This study was carried out to improve our understanding of the interception effect of understorey vegetation on litter decomposition in Cinnamomum camphora plantation forest of subtropical China.Methods
The interception simulation experiment in field was performed to determine how the litterfall interception delayed the leaf litter decomposition of C. camphora, by comparing the difference in variables among 4 litter interception locations.Results
The results showed that total mass loss, lignin loss, cellulose loss, microbial activities (CO2 release, fungal biomass and enzyme activities), and water content except nitrogen for litters on the crown were significantly lower than that of litters without interception. The maximum mass loss difference value among litter locations reached 35 %, indicative of obvious decomposition delay by the understorey. Litter CO2 release, enzyme activities and water content exhibited a clear seasonal pattern, suggesting a strong relation between the degree of microbial activities and the succession of cold and warm as well as moist and dry periods. A clear nitrogen increase was observed in this experiment, indicating persistent immobilization. No clear variation pattern in nitrogen content was observed in this study, which was probably mixed by the N precipitation from acid rain.Conclusions
The litterfall interception delayed the decomposition of leaf litter, displaying slow decomposition rate and inhibitive microbial activities by interception, which presumably resulted from low water content on the crown. 相似文献9.
Aims
The aim of this study was to determine whether goat grazing in the understory of a pine forest at Doñana Natural Park could accelerate the decomposition of the pine needles accumulated on the soil surface and, if so, through which mechanisms. Specifically, the roles of trampling (mechanical fragmentation) and nutrient enrichment through defecation (fertilization) were evaluated in terms of their effect on pine needle decomposition rates.Methods
An experiment was conducted featuring the following 4 treatments: 1) intact needles (control), 2) trampled needles, 3) intact needles fertilized with liquid manure, and 4) trampled needles fertilized with liquid manure. Litter decomposition was determined as a function of mass loss over time, using the litter-bag method. Bags were recovered 4, 8, 16, 24 and 36 months after burial in soil, dried and weighed. Needle length, leaf mass per area and C and N concentration were also measured in the buried litter-bags.Results
Four months after burial, mass loss was greater in the trampled (23–27 %) than non-trampled (14–16 %) treatments. However, from 8 months onwards, decomposition rates in the fertilized treatments were significantly higher than those in the non-fertilized treatments (between 5 % and 15 % less mass loss). Meanwhile, fertilized treatments presented higher N content (2.1 %) than the non-fertilized ones (1.2 %), with a significantly lower C:N ratio also found in the in the fertilized treatment.Conclusions
Trampling and fertilization during grazing accelerates litter decomposition and thus promotes the incorporation of N into the system. Acceleration of decomposition reduces the accumulation of pine needles on the soil surface, reducing the risk of fire. 相似文献10.
Background and aims
We determined the relationship between site N supply and decomposition rates with respect to controls exerted by environment, litter chemistry, and fungal colonization.Methods
Two reciprocal transplant decomposition experiments were established, one in each of two long-term experiments in oak woodlands in Minnesota, USA: a fire frequency/vegetation gradient, along which soil N availability varies markedly, and a long-term N fertilization experiment. Both experiments used native Quercus ellipsoidalis E.J. Hill and Andropogon gerardii Vitman leaf litter and either root litter or wooden dowels.Results
Leaf litter decay rates generally increased with soil N availability in both experiments while belowground litter decayed more slowly with increasing soil N. Litter chemistry differed among litter types, and these differences had significant effects on belowground (but not aboveground) decay rates and on aboveground litter N dynamics during decomposition. Fungal colonization of detritus was positively correlated with soil fertility and decay rates.Conclusions
Higher soil fertility associated with low fire frequency was associated with greater leaf litter production, higher rates of fungal colonization of detritus, more rapid leaf litter decomposition rates, and greater N release in the root litter, all of which likely enhance soil fertility. During decomposition, both greater mass loss and litter N release provide mechanisms through which the plant and decomposer communities provide positive feedbacks to soil fertility as ultimately driven by decreasing fire frequency in N-limited soils and vice versa. 相似文献11.
H. Pretzsch T. Rötzer R. Matyssek T. E. E. Grams K.-H. Häberle K. Pritsch R. Kerner J.-C. Munch 《Trees - Structure and Function》2014,28(5):1305-1321
Key message
We review causes of synergies in mixed-species stands, develop guiding hypotheses for revealing their mechanisms and present a rainfall exclusion experiment along with a transect (KROOF) for exploring drought effects.Abstract
While monocultures have dominated forest research and practice in the past, in face of growing resource scarcity and climate change, mixed-species stands are on the advance. Long-term observations show that mixed-species stands frequently over-yield monocultures, and they further suggest that the over-yielding is often higher on poor than on fertile sites and in low-growth than in high-growth years. However, the underlying causes have not yet been clarified. We start with a review of, among others, hydraulic redistribution, complementary eco-physiological traits, and ectomycorrhizal networks as possible causes behind the observed productivity gains in mixed-species stands. Then, we develop guiding hypotheses for further exploration of synergies in mixed-species stands. Finally, we introduce into the concept and model approach of the rainfall exclusion experiment for examining the role of water supply in mixed versus pure forest stands of spruce and beech. At the Kranzberg site, six plots are equipped with water retention roofs, which only close during rain events. The remaining six plots serve as non-roofed control. Together with the rainfall exclusion experiment, an ecological gradient with five sites extending through SE-Germany forms the “Kranzberg Roof Experiment” (in short KROOF). Kranzberg Forest is a part of this gradient from moist to dry conditions, with each site providing mixed and pure associations each of spruce and beech. The ecophysiological approach will be complemented by tree ring analysis and modelling of productivity of the tree associations under intense drought. 相似文献12.
Chanjuan Guo Michael Dannenmann Rainer Gasche Bernd Zeller Hans Papen Andrea Polle Heinz Rennenberg Judy Simon 《Plant and Soil》2013,368(1-2):519-534
Background and aims
Litter decomposition is regulated by e.g. substrate quality and environmental factors, particularly water availability. The partitioning of nutrients released from litter between vegetation and soil microorganisms may, therefore, be affected by changing climate. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of litter type and drought on the fate of litter-derived N in beech seedlings and soil microbes.Methods
We quantified 15N recovery rates in plant and soil N pools by adding 15N-labelled leaf and/or root litter under controlled conditions.Results
Root litter was favoured over leaf litter for N acquisition by beech seedlings and soil microorganisms. Drought reduced 15N recovery from litter in seedlings thereby affecting root N nutrition. 15N accumulated in seedlings in different sinks depending on litter type.Conclusions
Root turnover appears to influence (a) N availability in the soil for plants and soil microbes and (b) N acquisition and retention despite a presumably extremely dynamic turnover of microbial biomass. Compared to soil microorganisms, beech seedlings represent a very minor short-term N sink, despite a potentially high N residence time. Furthermore, soil microbes constitute a significant N pool that can be released in the long term and, thus, may become available for N nutrition of plants. 相似文献13.
Nitrogen transfer in litter mixture enhances decomposition rate,temperature sensitivity,and C quality changes 总被引:2,自引:0,他引:2
Giuliano Bonanomi Manuela Capodilupo Guido Incerti Stefano Mazzoleni 《Plant and Soil》2014,381(1-2):307-321
Background and aims
Litter decomposition is a critical process in terrestrial ecosystems and, since in natural conditions plant litter occurs in mixtures, understanding the interactive effects of mixed litter is of great ecological relevance. In this context, we test the hypothesis that N transfer between high quality litter to N-poor substrates are at the base of synergistic interactions, positively affecting litter decay rate, temperature sensitivity, and changes of organic C quality.Methods
We carried out a manipulative experiment using four organic substrates, encompassing a wide range of biochemical quality (Hedera helix and Quercus ilex leaf litter, cellulose strips and woody sticks), each decomposing either separately or in matched pair mixtures for 360 days. Organic substrates were characterized for mass loss, C and N content and by 13C CPMAS NMR to assess biochemical quality changes.Results
Litter response to mixing was related to the biochemical quality of the components in the mixture: additive when substrates with similarly high (H. helix and Q. ilex) or low (cellulose and wood) N content were paired, but synergistic when substrates with contrasting N content were associated (either of the two leaf litters with either cellulose or wood). Overall, no antagonist effects were observed in this experiment. Interestingly, decomposition of cellulose and wood showed an higher temperature sensitivity, compared to monospecific substrates, when paired with N rich materials. Significant N transfer was found from N rich litter to N poor substrates and 13C CPMAS NMR showed rapid changes of C quality of cellulose and wood sticks only when paired with N rich litter.Conclusions
Our findings support the hypothesis that mixing litters of different quality, with quality expressed in terms of C/N ratio and N content, increases decomposition rate and temperature sensitivity of the lower quality substrates. 相似文献14.
Factors controlling decomposition rates of fine root litter in temperate forests and grasslands 总被引:3,自引:0,他引:3
Emily F. Solly Ingo Schöning Steffen Boch Ellen Kandeler Sven Marhan Beate Michalzik Jörg Müller Jakob Zscheischler Susan E. Trumbore Marion Schrumpf 《Plant and Soil》2014,382(1-2):203-218
Background and aims
Fine root decomposition contributes significantly to element cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, studies on root decomposition rates and on the factors that potentially influence them are fewer than those on leaf litter decomposition. To study the effects of region and land use intensity on fine root decomposition, we established a large scale study in three German regions with different climate regimes and soil properties. Methods In 150 forest and 150 grassland sites we deployed litterbags (100 μm mesh size) with standardized litter consisting of fine roots from European beech in forests and from a lowland mesophilous hay meadow in grasslands. In the central study region, we compared decomposition rates of this standardized litter with root litter collected on-site to separate the effect of litter quality from environmental factors.Results
Standardized herbaceous roots in grassland soils decomposed on average significantly faster (24?±?6 % mass loss after 12 months, mean ± SD) than beech roots in forest soils (12?±?4 %; p?0.001). Fine root decomposition varied among the three study regions. Land use intensity, in particular N addition, decreased fine root decomposition in grasslands. The initial lignin:N ratio explained 15 % of the variance in grasslands and 11 % in forests. Soil moisture, soil temperature, and C:N ratios of soils together explained 34 % of the variance of the fine root mass loss in grasslands, and 24 % in forests.Conclusions
Grasslands, which have higher fine root biomass and root turnover compared to forests, also have higher rates of root decomposition. Our results further show that at the regional scale fine root decomposition is influenced by environmental variables such as soil moisture, soil temperature and soil nutrient content. Additional variation is explained by root litter quality. 相似文献15.
Leaf litter decomposition in temperate deciduous forest stands with a decreasing fraction of beech (Fagus sylvatica) 总被引:2,自引:0,他引:2
We hypothesised that the decomposition rates of leaf litter will increase along a gradient of decreasing fraction of the European
beech (Fagus sylvatica) and increasing tree species diversity in the generally beech-dominated Central European temperate deciduous forests due
to an increase in litter quality. We studied the decomposition of leaf litter including its lignin fraction in monospecific
(pure beech) stands and in stands with up to five tree genera (Acer spp., Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia spp.) using a litterbag approach. Litter and lignin decomposition was more rapid in stand-representative litter from multispecific
stands than in litter from pure beech stands. Except for beech litter, the decomposition rates of species-specific tree litter
did not differ significantly among the stand types, but were most rapid in Fraxinus excelsior and slowest in beech in an interspecific comparison. Pairwise comparisons of the decomposition of beech litter with litter
of the other tree species (except for Acer
platanoides) revealed a “home field advantage” of up to 20% (more rapid litter decomposition in stands with a high fraction of its own
species than in stands with a different tree species composition). Decomposition of stand-representative litter mixtures displayed
additive characteristics, not significantly more rapid than predicted by the decomposition of litter from the individual tree
species. Leaf litter decomposition rates were positively correlated with the initial N and Ca concentrations of the litter,
and negatively with the initial C:N, C:P and lignin:N ratios. The results support our hypothesis that the overall decomposition
rates are mainly influenced by the chemical composition of the individual litter species. Thus, the fraction of individual
tree species in the species composition seems to be more important for the litter decomposition rates than tree species diversity
itself. 相似文献
16.
Interactions between leaf litter and soil organic matter on carbon and nitrogen mineralization in six forest litter-soil systems 总被引:2,自引:0,他引:2
Background and aims
Leaf litter decomposes on the surface of soil in natural systems and element transfers between litter and soil are commonly found. However, how litter and soil organic matter (SOM) interact to influence decomposition rate and nitrogen (N) release remains unclear.Methods
Leaf litter and mineral soil of top 0–5 cm from six forests were incubated separately, or together with litter on soil surface at 25 °C for 346 days. Litter N remaining and soil respiration rate were repeatedly measured during incubation. Litter carbon (C) and mass losses and mineral N concentrations in litter and soil were measured at the end of incubation.Results
Net N transfer from soil to litter was found in all litters when incubated with soil. Litter incubated with soil lost more C than litter incubated alone after 346 days. For litters with initial C: N ratios lower than 52, net Nmin after 346 days was 100 % higher when incubated with soil than when incubated alone. Litter net Nmin rate was negatively related to initial C: N ratio when incubated with soil but not when incubated alone. Soil respiration rate and net Nmin rate did not differ between soil incubated with litter and soil incubated alone.Conclusions
We conclude that soils may enhance litter decomposition rate by net N transfer from soil to litter. Our results together with studies on litter mixture decomposition suggest that net N transfer between decomposing organic matter with different N status may be common and may significantly influence decomposition and N release. The low net Nmin rate during litter decomposition along with the small size of litter N pool compared to soil N pool suggest that SOM rather than decomposing litter is the major contributor to plant mineral N supply. 相似文献17.
Aims
Our goals were (1) to determine whether tree species diversity affects nutrient (N, P and K) cycling, and (2) to assess whether there is competition for these nutrients between microbial biomass and trees.Methods
We measured nutrient resorption efficiency by trees, nutrient contents in leaf litterfall, decomposition rates of leaf litter, nutrient turnover in decomposing leaf litter, and plant-available nutrients in the soil in mono-species stands of beech, oak, hornbeam and lime and in mixed-species stands, each consisting of three of these species.Results
Cycling of nutrients through leaf litter input and decomposition were influenced by the types of tree species and not simply by tree species diversity. Trees and microbial biomass were competing strongly for P, less for K and only marginally for N. Such competition was most pronounced in mono-species stands of beech and oak, which had low nutrient turnover in their slow decomposing leaf litter, and less in mono-species stands of hornbeam and lime, which had high nutrient turnover in their fast decomposing leaf litter.Conclusions
The low soil P and K availability in beech stands, which limit the growth of beech at Hainich, Germany, were alleviated by mixing beech with hornbeam and lime. These species-specific effects on nutrient cycling and soil nutrient availability can aid forest management in improving productivity and soil fertility.18.
Background and aims
In cold biomes, litter decomposition, which controls the nutrient availability for plants and the ecosystem carbon budget, is strongly influenced by climatic conditions. In this study, focused on the early litter decay within snowbed habitats, the magnitude of the short- and long-term influences of climate warming, the direction of the effects of warmer temperature and advanced snowmelt, and the control of microclimatic features and plant traits were compared.Methods
Combining experimental warming and space-for-time substitution, mass loss and nutrient release of different plant functional types were estimated in different climatic treatments with the litter bag method.Results
Plant functional types produced a larger variation in the early-decomposition compared to that produced by climatic treatments. Litter decay was not affected by warmer summer temperatures and reduced by advanced snowmelt. Structural-related plant traits exerted the major control over litter decomposition.Conclusions
Long-term effects of climate warming, resulting from shifts in litter quality due to changes in the abundance of plant functional types, will likely have a stronger impact on plant litter decomposition than short-term variations in microclimatic features. This weaker response of litter decay to short-term climate changes may be partially due to the opposite influences of higher summer temperatures and advanced snowmelt time. 相似文献19.
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. 相似文献20.