桂林岩溶石山檵木群落不同恢复阶段凋落物层酶对凋落物分解的影响

该文选取桂林岩溶石山檵木群落不同恢复阶段(灌木阶段、乔灌阶段和小乔林阶段)作为研究对象,探究凋落物层酶对凋落物分解速率的影响。结果表明:不同恢复阶段凋落物经1 a分解后,凋落物剩余率分别为灌木阶段(59.58%)、乔灌阶段(61.79%)和小乔林阶段(62.02%)。不同恢复阶段凋落物分解速率随演替的进行而减小。3个不同恢复阶段凋落物层多酚氧化酶、脲酶、蔗糖酶活性均在12月份最低,多酚氧化酶活性均在3月份最高,脲酶和蔗糖酶活性均在6月份最高。3个恢复阶段纤维素酶活性变化规律趋势一致,均在6月份酶活性最高,灌木阶段纤维素酶活性在3月份最低,乔灌阶段和小乔林阶段纤维素酶活性均在9月份最低。3个不同恢复阶段的凋落物层酶活性在不同时期均表现为蔗糖酶脲酶纤维素酶多酚氧化酶。不同恢复阶段凋落物层酶活性对凋落物分解速率影响不同。灌木阶段凋落物层蔗糖酶活性与分解速率呈显著正相关(P 0.05),乔灌阶段脲酶活性与分解速率呈显著正相关(P 0.05),小乔林阶段各酶活性与分解速率相关不显著。蔗糖酶、脲酶和多酚氧化酶是影响灌木阶段凋落物分解速率的重要因素,脲酶、纤维素酶和多酚氧化酶是影响乔灌和小乔林阶段分解速率的重要因素。     

Survival ofSclerotinia minor Jagger sclerotia in solarized soil

Calcium, magnesium and potassium dynamics in decomposing litter of three tree species were measured over a two-year period. The speices studied were flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), red maple (Acer rubrum) and chestnut oak (Quercus prinus). The order of decomposition was:C. florida>A. rubrum>Q. prinus.Calcium concentrations increased following any initial leaching losses. However, there were net releases of Ca from all three litter types since mass loss exceeded the increases in concentration. Net release of Ca by the end of two years from all three species combined was 42% of initial inputs in litterfall. Magnesium concentrations increased in the second year, following decreases due to leaching during the first year inC. florida andA. rubrum litter. Net release of Mg by the end of two years was 58% of initial inputs. Potassium concentrations decreased rapidly and continued to decline throughout the study. Net release of K by the end of two years was 91% of initial inputs.These data on cation dynamics, and similar data on N, S and P dynamics from a previous study, were combined with annual litterfall data to estimate the release of selected nutrients from foliar litter of these tree species at the end of one and two years of decomposition. The relative mobility of all six elements examined in relation to mass loss after two years was; K>Mg>mass>Ca>S>P>N.     

Responses of litter decomposition to temperature along a chronosequence of tropical montane rainforest in a microcosm experiment

We conducted a microcosm experiment for studying the decomposition of Altingia obovata leaf litter by the decomposer community at 20 and 30°C from three forest stands (namely a 35-year-old secondary forest, a 47-year-old secondary forest, and a primary forest) of a tropical montane rainforest. Our results showed that rank-order of the litter decomposition among the three forest stands was not parallel to the stand age. At 20°C, the mass loss of A. obovata leaf litter from the primary forest was higher than those from the two secondary forests, of which the younger stand showed higher mass loss than did the older one. However, there were no differences in mass loss among these three stands at 30°C. The mass loss for the two secondary forest stands, but not for the primary forest stand, increased significantly from 20 to 30°C. The level of lignin decomposition among the three stands at 20°C corresponded to their forest stand age, i.e., the primary forest > the 47-year-old secondary forest > the 35-year-old secondary forest. A rise of 10°C in temperature significantly increased lignin decomposition for the two secondary forests, while the reverse was true for the primary forest. Carbohydrate decomposition was positively related to the temperature but not to the stand age. The different responses of litter decomposition to the forest stand age and temperature might be due to the differences in the microbial activities among the three forest stands.     

A 5 year study of litter decomposition processes in aChamaecyparis obtusa Endl. forest

Decomposition of needle litter in aChamaecyparis obtusa forest was studied over a 5 year period using a litter bag method. Organic matter, nitrogen and carbon mass and faunal abundance were monitored. The pattern of weight loss was represented by three phases: the initial leaching of carbon and nitrogen (0–3 months), nitrogen immobilization (3–15 months), and nitrogen mobilization (15–60 months). The decomposition rate of needle litter was expressed by Olson's decomposition constant (k) which was−0.113 over a 5 year period. The decomposition rate decreased with the advance of decomposition processes. The role of soil fauna in the decomposition process was assessed by comparing decomposition rates between the control and defaunated plots. In the leaching phase, soil animals had no significant role in the decomposition processes. During the immobilization phase, soil animals contributed to the immobilization processes through their grazing activities, and there were significant differences in weight loss between the control and defaunated plots. In the mobilization phase, saprovorous soil animals such as Collembola and Acari contributed to the mobilization processes by feeding on decomposing litter. Decomposition processes observed in this study were compared with other similar studies.     

Aerobic cellulolytic bacterial flora associated with decomposing Phragmites leaf litter in a seawater lake

A litter bag experiment was carried out in a eutrophic seawater lake from autumn to summer in order to determine which bacterial genera play an important role in decomposition of Phragmites communis leaf litter. The count of cellulolytic bacteria and decomposition rate of litter cellulose increased rapidly during the initial month. In contrast, the count of cellulolytic fungi was lowest in this period. Pseudomonas accounted for 65–90% of total isolates of cellulolytic bacteria up to 5 months. These results suggest that Pseudomonas plays an important role in at least the initial decomposition stage of the litter.     

Wetland plant decomposition under different nutrient conditions: what is more important, litter quality or site quality?

Plants in nutrient poor environments are often characterized by high nutrient resorption resulting in poor litter quality and, consequently, slow decomposition. We used oligotrophic, P-limited herbaceous wetlands of northern Belize as a model system, on which to document and explain how changes in nutrient content along a salinity gradient affect decomposition rates of macrophytes. In 2001 we established a nutrient addition experiment (P, N, and N&P) in 15 marshes of a wide range of water conductivities (200–6000 μS), dominated by Eleocharis spp. To determine what is more important for decomposition, the initial litter quality, or site differences, we used reciprocal litter placement and cellulose decomposition assay in a combined “site quality” and “litter quality” experiment. Our prediction of the positive effects of P-enrichment on decomposition rate due to both the quality of litter and the site was confirmed. The site effect was stronger than the litter quality although both were highly significant. Strong site quality effect was apparently the result of more active decomposer community in P-enriched plots as supported by finding of higher microbial biomass in litter decomposing there. The strong effect of site quality on decomposition was further confirmed by the cellulose assay. The cellulose decomposition was significantly slower at high salinity sites indicating lower decomposer microbial activity. Litter nutrient N and P content and nutrient ratios were well correlated with decomposition with the best fit found for log C/P. At C/P mass ratio of >4000 decomposition processes were extremely slow. We hypothesize that in a long run, the increased decomposition will compensate the increase in primary production resulting from increased nutrient loading and there will be no differences in accumulation of organic material between the controls and nutrient enriched plots.     

Litter pool sizes,decomposition, and nitrogen dynamics in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spartina alterniflora</Emphasis>-invaded and native coastal marshlands of the Yangtze Estuary

Past studies have focused primarily on the effects of invasive plants on litter decomposition at soil surfaces. In natural ecosystems, however, considerable amounts of litter may be at aerial and belowground positions. This study was designed to examine the effects of Spartina alterniflora invasion on the pool sizes and decomposition of aerial, surficial, and belowground litter in coastal marshlands, the Yangtze Estuary, which were originally occupied by two native species, Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis. We collected aerial and surficial litter of the three species once a month and belowground litter once every 2 months. We used the litterbag method to quantify litter decomposition at the aerial, surficial and belowground positions for the three species. Yearly averaged litter mass in the Spartina stands was 1.99 kg m⁻²; this was 250 and 22.8% higher than that in the Scirpus (0.57 kg m⁻²) and Phragmites (1.62 kg m⁻²) stands, respectively. The litter in the Spartina stands was primarily distributed in the air (45%) and belowground (48%), while Scirpus and Phragmites litter was mainly allocated to belowground positions (85 and 59%, respectively). The averaged decomposition rates of aerial, surficial, and belowground litter were 0.82, 1.83, and 1.27 year⁻¹ for Spartina, respectively; these were 52, 62 and 69% of those for Scirpus litter at corresponding positions and 158, 144 and 78% of those for Phragmites litter, respectively. The differences in decomposition rates between Spartina and the two native species were largely due to differences in litter quality among the three species, particularly for the belowground litter. The absolute amount of nitrogen increased during the decomposition of Spartina stem, sheath and root litter, while the amount of nitrogen in Scirpus and Phragmites litter declined during decomposition for all tissue types. Our results suggest that Spartina invasion altered the carbon and nitrogen cycling in the coastal marshlands of China.     

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.     

Altitude and species identity drive leaf litter decomposition rates of ten species on a 2950 m altitudinal gradient in Neotropical rain forests

Identifying the environmental factors controlling litter decomposition is key to understanding the magnitude and rates of nutrient cycling in tropical forests, and how they may be influenced by climate variability and environmental change. We carried out a leaf litter translocation experiment in mature rain forest over a 2,520 m altitudinal gradient in Costa Rica. Leaf litter decomposition rates (k) of ten tree species, two dominant species from each ecosystem, plus two standard species, were calculated over 540 days in four life zones. k was lowest in montane with 0.83 per year and lower montane forests with 2.21 per year. k did not differ between lowland and premontane forests at 3.12 per year, in spite of the 3℃ difference of mean annual temperature between these life zones. k varied fourfold among species. Species decomposition rates ranked as follows, and were predictably related to leaf economic spectrum traits of the species: Acalypha communis (standard, fast decomposer)» Hyeronima oblonga > Alchornea latifolia, Quercus bumelioides, Jarava ichu (standard, slow decomposer)> Minquartia guianensis > Magnolia sororum > Vochysia allenii > Pourouma bicolor, Carapa guianensis. These two slowest-decomposing species were native premontane and lowland forest dominants, respectively, with tough, low-nutrient leaves. The ranking of species by k varied very little among life zones suggesting that decomposer organisms in very different ecosystems and environments react in similar ways to the litter quality in general. We conclude that while k decreases with temperature in rain forests on tropical mountains, bioclimatic zones defined as premontane may be “functionally lowland.” The effects of species identity on decomposition rates on tropical mountains are consistent and independent of environment for both standard and native species. Under climate change on these mountains, if moisture regimes do not change, decomposition rates will increase due to rising temperatures. Soil carbon storage may therefore decrease. Changes in the altitudinal distributions of currently dominant species will also affect this critically important biogeochemical process.     

Litter decomposition in created and reference wetlands in West Virginia,USA

Large amounts of resources have gone into wetland mitigation in recent years; however, it is still unclear whether wetland function is being replaced along with wetland area. Litter decomposition is linked to numerous wetland functions. In this study, we measured plant litter decomposition potential over 12 months in 8 created and 8 reference wetlands located in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, USA. Broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia L.) litter bags were placed in each wetland and collected at 3 month intervals. Linear decomposition rate constants and percent mass remaining were similar between wetland types (created and reference) and among Cowardin classifications (palustrine: unconsolidated bottom, aquatic bed, emergent, and scrub/shrub). Created wetland age was not correlated with decomposition potential. Our study found that created wetlands had similar litter decomposition potential as reference wetlands indicating that similar processes are likely acting upon litter decomposition within both natural and created wetlands.     

Application of a rapid thin section method for observations on decomposing litter in mor humus form in a subalpine coniferous forest

Morphological changes in the decomposing litter ofAbies spp. andBetula spp. in a mor humus form were studied by a rapid thin section method. According to the morphological characteristics, the epidermis, mesophyll and vascular bundleof Abies needle litter were classified into four types: (i) newly fallen; (ii) slightly decomposed; (iii) moderately decomposed; and (iv) greatly decomposed. The distribution of these tissue types along the profile of the forest floor was then investigated. The morphological changes in other litter types, such as branches, scales andBetula leaves during decomposition were observed directly with microscope and electron microscope. Five vertical thin sections and 80 horizontal thin sections were used for these observations and investigations. the decomposition ofAbies litter was slower than that ofBetula litter. The relative decomposition rate of the tissues was in the order of: mesophyll>vascular bundle >epidermis inAbies needles; mesophyll≥epidermis>vascular bundles inBetula leaves; and inner bark >xylem>outer bark in bothAbies andBetula branches. The last remains of the litter were usually stomata, segments of seminiferous scale and outer bark ofAbies. The decomposition of plant litter occurred mainly within the L and F layers of the soil (0–5 cm in depth).Abies needles andBetula leaves completely disappeared at depths of 0–6 cm and 0–4 cm, respectively. Branches disappeared within the top of 5 cm and 6–8 cm forBetula and forAbies, respectively. The scales ofAbies were most slowly decomposed in the soil layers.     

Leaf litter decomposition of canopy trees, bamboo and moss in a montane moist evergreen broad-leaved forest on Ailao Mountain, Yunnan, south-west China

Litter decomposition and nutrient release of selected dominant synusiae in an old-growth, evergreen, broad-leaved mossy forest on Ailao Mountain, Yunnan, south-west China, were studied over a 22-month period. The species studied were three dominant tall tree species, Lithocarpus xylocarpus Markg., Lithocarpus chintungensis Hsu et Qian and Castanopsis wattii A. Camus; one dominant understory species (the bamboo Sinarundinaria nitida Nakai); and a mixture of dominant mosses (including Homaliodendron scalpellifolium Fleisch, Symphyodon perrottetti Mont., Herberta longifolissa Steph. and Bazzania albicans Horik.). Fast initial litter decomposition was followed by lower rates. Decomposition rates of canopy species and bamboo leaf litter appear to be controlled by the initial concentration of lignin, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) more than by morphological features of the leaves. The decay rate of moss litter was less correlated with nutrient composition and lignin concentration in initial mass. The order of decomposition rates was Castanopsis wattii > L. xylocarpus > L. chintungensis > bamboo > moss. The decomposition rate constants (k) of the leaf litter for the canopy species L. xylocarpus, L. chintungensis and Castanopsis wattii were 0.62, 0.50 and 0.64, respectively, and 0.40 and 0.22 for bamboo and moss, respectively. Turnover time (1/k) for the three canopy species was 1.61 years, 2.0 years and 1.55 years, respectively, and 2.50 years and 4.55 years for bamboo and moss, respectively. The N and P concentration in the decomposing leaf litter increased in the first 6 months and then decreased over the remaining period. There was a relatively rapid initial loss of potassium (K), followed by a slight increase. Each of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) decreased with time whereas iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) increased with time to some extent. Nutrient release from decomposing leaf litter was in the order of K > Mg > Ca > N > P > Mn > Fe, except for bamboo (Sinarundinaria nitida) K > Ca > P > N > Mg > Mn > Fe.     

模拟氮沉降对华西雨屏区慈竹林凋落物分解的影响

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

Litter production,nutrient recycling and litter accumulation inPinus caribaea Morelet var.hondurensis stands in the northern Guniea savanna of Nigeria

Summary The seasonal pattern and quantity of litterfall were studied during a two-year period in two unthinned stands ofPinus caribaea Morelet var. hondurensis Barr. and Golf. in Nigeria. Although pine needles were cast continuously throughout the year, the peak period of litterfall occurred in the dry months of March and April. Mean values of annual litterfall were 3068 and 3665 kg/ha in the two stands aged 7–9 and 9–11 years respectively. Nutrient returns in litterfall in the stands had mean values of 15.0, 0.6, 17.3, 18.2 and 6.3 kg/ha of N, P, K, Ca and Mg respectively. Comparatively low amounts of N and P returned in litterfall were attributed to soil deficiencies of the two elements.Measurements of ground litter showed considerable dry matter accumulation (11378 kg/ha) in the litter layers. Estimates of litter decomposition rate and recycling time showed that it would take 3 to 4 years for the organic matter in annual litterfall to decompose completely as contrasted to about 2 to 5 months often reported under mixed nautral savanna vegetation in the same climatic environment. Similar estimates of nutrient recycling time also showed that between 2 to 4 years were required to mineralize nutrient elements in the annual litterfall; the relative mobilities of the elements were in the order K>Mg>P>NCa.     

The influence of a neotropical herbivore (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lamponius portoricensis</Emphasis>) on nutrient cycling and soil processes

The role of phytophagous insects in ecosystem nutrient cycling remains poorly understood. By altering the flow of litterfall nutrients from the canopy to the forest floor, herbivores may influence key ecosystem processes. We manipulated levels of herbivory in a lower montane tropical rainforest of Puerto Rico using the common herbivore, Lamponius portoricensis (Phasmatidea), on a prevalent understory plant, Piper glabrescens (Piperaceae), and measured the effects on nutrient input to the forest floor and on rates of litter decomposition. Four treatment levels of herbivory generated a full range of leaf area removal, from plants experiencing no herbivory to plants that were completely defoliated (>4,000 cm² leaf area removed during the 76-day study duration). A significant (P<0.05) positive regression was found between all measures of herbivory (total leaf area removed, greenfall production, and frass-related inputs) and the concentration of NO ₃ ⁻ in ion exchange resin bags located in the litter layer. No significant relationship was found between any of the herbivory components and resin bag concentrations of NH ₄ ⁺ or PO ₄ ⁻ . Rates of litter decay were significantly affected by frass-related herbivore inputs. A marginally significant negative relationship was also found between the litter mass remaining at 47 days and total leaf area removed. This study demonstrated a modest, but direct relationship between herbivory and both litter decomposition and NO ₃ ⁻ transfer to the forest floor. These results suggest that insect herbivores can influence forest floor nutrient dynamics and thus merit further consideration in discussions on ecosystem nutrient dynamics.     

Litter- and soil carbohydrate-carbon stocks in 2-, 4- and 10-year-old improved fallows in eastern Zambia

This study evaluated the effects of tree species and sites on soil carbohydrates, litterfall, and litter chemistry in 2-, 4- and 10-year-old improved fallows at three sites in eastern Zambia. Between April 2002 and August 2003, litter was collected in 2-year-old tree fallows at Kalichero, Kalunga and Msekera for chemical analyses. Soil samples collected at 0–30 cm from all experiments were analysed for total soil organic carbon (SOC), but only those from 4- and 10-year-old fallows were analysed for carbohydrates. Soil arabinose- and mannose-C stocks, and carbohydrate-C percentages of SOC (7.7–20.6 %) significantly (P < 0.05) differed across tree species in 10-year-old coppicing fallows at Msekera. Converting M + F to improved fallows resulted in a decline in monosaccharide-C, carbohydrate-C stocks and carbohydrate-C percentage of SOC. There were significant (P < 0.05) variations in litterfall (0.7–2.3 t ha^?1 year^?1) and litter C contents (0.3–1.1 t ha^?1 year^?1) across 2-year-old coppicing tree fallows at Msekera. Litter production and C contents were significantly greater on sandy soils at Kalunga than on fine-textured soils at Msekera. Litter chemical contents (C, N, AUR and polyphenols) and ratios (C:N, P:N, AUR:N, and (AUR + P):N) for litter in fallows differed significantly (P < 0.05) across species and sites. In this study, the role of litter in carbon cycling in improved fallows depended on tree species and site conditions.     

Decomposition and accumulation of litter after fire in sub-alpine eucalypt forests

Accession, decomposition and accumulation of litter were studied in three sub-alpine eucalypt forest communities (dominated by overstoreys of Eucalyptus delegatensis, E. pauciflora or E. dives) located in the Brindabella Range. Australian Capital Territory, at an elevation of 1100–1250 m. The sites had either been protected from fire for more than 20 years or been burnt by low-intensity prescribed fires. After a prescribed burn, the rate of decomposition of abscised leaves was reduced by 22% in E. delegatensis forest and by 34% in E. pauciflora forest, but was little affected in the drier E. dives community. Lowered decomposition was apparently due to greater aridity after fire, a consequence of removal of the shading understorey and reduction in the depth and hence mulching effect of the titter layer. Litter accumulates rapidly after prescribed burning, reaching a mass of 10–12 t ha^?1 within 4–5 years in all communities. Such quantities are dangerous from a fire control viewpoint. The quasi steady-state mass of accumulated litter ranges from about 17 t ha^?1 in E. dives and E. pauciflora forests to about 25 t ha^?1 in old-growth E. delegatensis forests. The rapid re-accumulation of litter after fire is not the result of any significant change in litterfall rate, but is due to a marked reduction in the total amount of litter decomposing—and this reduction is more a consequence of a decrease in the weight of the forest floor than to any fire-induced lowering of the rate of litter decomposition. The rapid build-up of litter is a consequence of the relatively high rates of litterfall (3.4–5.0 t ha^?1 year^?1) and low rates of litter decomposition (k = 0.19–0.32 year^?1) in these forests. In most cases the pattern of litter accumulation was well described by an exponential equation of the form X_t= X_ss (1—e_-kt), where X_t is the weight (t ha_?1) of litter accumulated at time t (year). X_ss is the weight of litter accumulated under steady-state conditions, and k is a decomposition rate constant (year^?1). Marked temporal variations in annual litterfall and mass of accumulated litter were found at specific forest sites which had been unburnt for more than 4.5 years. Variation from the long-term mean was greater for litterfall (31–37%) than for accumulated litter (14–26%). The maximum error when calculating decomposition rate (k) as the ratio of annual litterfall: accumulated titter, when based on single measurements of these parameters, ranged from 43 to 69% of that based on long-term measurements. Decomposition rates of the entire titter layer, calculated for periods of 22–79 months, and based on measurements of litter input and change in mass of accumulated titter, were positively correlated with the average number of days per month during each period that the litter layer remained moist (>approx. 60% ODW). The implications of these findings for fire management planning in sub-alpine and other eucalypt forests are briefly discussed.     

漓江流域岩溶区檵木群落不同恢复阶段凋落物分解初期动态

为探究漓江流域岩溶区檵木群落不同恢复阶段凋落物的分解情况,运用凋落物袋法研究其凋落物分解初期动态。结果表明:经过1a的分解,檵木群落凋落物失重大小顺序为:灌木阶段乔灌阶段乔林阶段。檵木群落灌木阶段、乔灌阶段和乔林阶段凋落物分解50%所需的时间分别为1.28a、1.38a、1.41a,分解95%所需的时间分别为5.54a、5.97a和6.09a。经过1a的分解,凋落物养分动态变化为:灌木阶段和乔灌阶段C含量总体上升,乔林阶段C含量总体下降;3个恢复阶段N和纤维素含量总体上升;灌木阶段和乔林阶段P含量总体下降,乔灌阶段P含量总体上升;灌木阶段木质素含量总体上升,而乔灌阶段和乔林阶段木质素含量总体下降。相关分析表明,灌木阶段凋落物分解速率分别与C,N,P,C/P,N/P之间呈显著或极显著相关性,乔灌阶段凋落物分解速率与N和木质素/N之间呈显著或极显著相关性,乔林阶段凋落物分解速率分别与N,纤维素、C/N和木质素/N之间呈显著或极显著相关性。     

Influence of habitat,litter type,and soil invertebrates on leaf-litter decomposition in a fragmented Amazonian landscape

Amazonian forest fragments and second-growth forests often differ substantially from undisturbed forests in their microclimate, plant-species composition, and soil fauna. To determine if these changes could affect litter decomposition, we quantified the mass loss of two contrasting leaf-litter mixtures, in the presence or absence of soil macroinvertebrates, and in three forest habitats. Leaf-litter decomposition rates in second-growth forests (>10 years old) and in fragment edges (<100 m from the edge) did not differ from that in the forest interior (>250 m from the edges of primary forests). In all three habitats, experimental exclusion of soil invertebrates resulted in slower decomposition rates. Faunal-exclosure effects were stronger for litter of the primary forest, composed mostly of leaves of old-growth trees, than for litter of second-growth forests, which was dominated by leaves of successional species. The latter had a significantly lower initial concentration of N, higher C:N and lignin:N ratios, and decomposed at a slower rate than did litter from forest interiors. Our results indicate that land-cover changes in Amazonia affect decomposition mainly through changes in plant species composition, which in turn affect litter quality. Similar effects may occur on fragment edges, particularly on very disturbed edges, where successional trees become dominant. The drier microclimatic conditions in fragment edges and second-growth forests (>10 years old) did not appear to inhibit decomposition. Finally, although soil invertebrates play a key role in leaf-litter decomposition, we found no evidence that differences in the abundance, species richness, or species composition of invertebrates between disturbed and undisturbed forests significantly altered decomposition rates.     

Influence of stand age on nutrient and energy release through decomposition in alder-cardamom agroforestry systems of the eastern Himalayas

The influence of stand age (5, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 years) on the decomposition of litter fractions, nutrient and energy release of mixtures of N₂-fixing alder (Alnus nepalensis) and non-N₂-fixing large cardamom (Amomum subulatum) systems was compared. Seasonal decomposition rates were distinct with the highest rate in the first 6 months followed by subsequent seasons. The decomposition rate was substantially high in younger stands (10- to 15-years) and declined in the older stands. Heat sink from the stand floor litter increased from 171 × 10⁶ kJ year⁻¹ in 5 years to 299 × 10⁶ kJ year⁻¹ at 15 years and then considerably decreased with advancing age. However, energy and nutrient releases were slow at a high initial lignin-to-initial N ratio and C-to-N ratio, and there was an inverse relationship between the k-value of ash-free-mass and N expressed as a function of the C-to-N ratio. Quantities of nutrient release and energy loss per unit area in 24 months of decomposition were highest in 15 years and subsequently they lowered with advancing age. Nutrient loss indicated approximately uniform absolute and relative rates. Absolute energy consistently decreased by 81–88% in 24 months. Ash-free mass of decomposing litter remaining at different retrieval dates was associated with a narrowing of the C-to-N ratio. The relative loss rate of ash-free mass, nutrients and energy content was strongly related to the C-to-N ratio, litter temperature and litter moisture. The influence of Alnus in the younger stands on nutrient and energy releases were rapid, indicating accelerated nutrient cycling and energy dynamics. The intensity of the processes was highly phenomenal and considerably high in younger stands up to 20 years. Thus, an appropriate management cycle of the Alnus-cardamom system for sustainability is 15–20 years.