How does a tree species influence litter decomposition? Separating the relative contribution of litter quality, litter mixing, and forest floor conditions

2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Laganière ◽  
David Paré ◽  
Robert L. Bradley
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Litter Quality ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Litter Mixing

Litter quality is often considered the main driver of decomposition rate. The objective of this study was to investigate the relative contribution of two other tree-driven mechanisms, litter mixing and forest floor conditions, to foliar litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics for trembling aspen ( Populus tremuloides Michx.) and black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) using a microcosm approach. Results based on mixed linear models show that the greater influence over these processes was obtained through litter quality followed by forest floor conditions and litter mixing. Specifically, the results indicate that significantly more C and nutrients were mineralized (i) from aspen than from spruce litter, (ii) from spruce litter in mixture with aspen litter than from spruce litter applied singly, and (iii) from litter incubated on forest floor from the aspen stand rather than from the spruce stand, except for nutrients in the spruce litter. Collectively, our results show that the litter and forest floor material from aspen both favour decomposition and nutrient mineralization processes. Hence, we provide evidence that the effect of tree species on litter decomposition may not only be caused by the properties of its litter but also, indirectly, by the specific conditions and the decomposer community that tree species develop in their forest floor.

scholarly journals Effect of biochar addition on leaf-litter decomposition at soil surface during three years in a warm-temperate secondary deciduous forest, Japan

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukiya Minamino ◽  
Nobuhide Fujitake ◽  
Takeshi Suzuki ◽  
Shinpei Yoshitake ◽  
Hiroshi Koizumi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Leaf Litter Decomposition ◽  
Dry Conditions

AbstractThe addition of biochar to the forest floor should facilitate efficient carbon sequestration. However, little is known about how biochar addition effects litter decomposition, which is related to carbon and nutrient dynamics in forest ecosystems. This study evaluated the effect of biochar addition on leaf litter decomposition in a forest ecosystem. To examine whether leaf litter decomposition was stimulated above and below biochar, litterbag experiments were carried out for about 3 years in a field site where biochar was added at the rate of 0, 5 and 10 t ha−¹ (C0, C5 and C10 plots) to the forest floor in a temperate oak forest, Japan. Biochar addition at C10 significantly enhanced litter decomposition below biochar for 2 years after treatment and above biochar for 1 year after treatment. Litter water content in biochar plots tended to increase under dry conditions. Biochar addition enhanced litter decomposition because of increased microbial activity with increased moisture content and accelerated the decomposition progress rather than changing the decomposition pattern. However, the carbon emission through changing leaf litter decomposition was small when compared with the carbon addition by biochar, indicating that biochar could be an effective material for carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems.

Long-term responses of leaf litter decomposition to temperature, litter quality and litter mixing in plateau wetlands

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 178-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guodong Liu ◽  
Jinfang Sun ◽  
Kun Tian ◽  
Derong Xiao ◽  
Xingzhong Yuan
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Litter Quality ◽  
Leaf Litter Decomposition ◽  
Litter Mixing ◽  
Plateau Wetlands

scholarly journals Nutrient dynamics via litterfall and litter decomposition on the forest floor of an Acacia mangium Willd. stand in Sumatra

Tropics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayumi Sugimoto ◽  
Seiichi Ohta ◽  
Saiffidin Ansori ◽  
Hardjiono Arisman
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Acacia Mangium

scholarly journals Ligustrum lucidum invasion decreases abundance and relative contribution of soil fauna to litter decomposition but increases decomposition rate in a subtropical montane forest of NW Argentina

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romina Daiana Fernandez ◽  
María Laura Moreno ◽  
Natalia Pérez Harguindeguy ◽  
Roxana Aragón
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Litter Quality ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Soil Fauna ◽  
Mountain Forest ◽  
Forest Types ◽  
Soil Macrofauna ◽  
Ligustrum Lucidum ◽  
Relative Contribution

Invasive plant species can alter litter decomposition rates through changes in litter quality, environment conditions and decomposer organisms (microflora and soil fauna) but limited research has examined the direct impact on soil fauna. We assessed the abundance and relative contribution of soil meso- and macrofauna to litter decomposition in invaded forest by Ligustrum lucidum and non-invaded forest in a subtropical mountain forest of northwest Argentina using litterbags (0.01, 2 and 6 mm mesh size). Additionally, we analyzed litter quality and soil properties of both forest types. Soil fauna abundance was lower in invaded than in non- invaded forest. The contribution of soil macrofauna to litter decomposition was important in both forest types, but soil mesofauna contribution was only significant in non-invaded forest. Litter decomposition was significantly faster in invaded than in non-invaded forest, consistent with its highest quality. Invaded forest had significantly lower litter accumulation, lower soil moisture and greater soil pH than non-invaded forest. Our results showed that, although soil fauna was less abundant and played a less pronounced role in litter decomposition in invaded forest; these changes did not translate into a reduced litter decomposition rate due to the higher quality of litter produced in the invaded forest.

Boreal mixedwood tree growth on contrasting soils and disturbance types

2006 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 986-995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L Martin ◽  
Stith T Gower
Keyword(s):  
Populus Tremuloides ◽  
Tree Growth ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Pinus Banksiana ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Jack Pine ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Radial Increment ◽  
Mixedwood Forests ◽  
Increment Growth

Mixedwood forests are an ecologically and economically important ecosystem in the boreal forest of northern Canada. The objectives of this study were to (i) compare the age–height relationships for dominant tree species growing on two contrasting soil types and originating from different disturbances (logging versus wildfire), and (ii) determine the influence of competition on tree growth. Eight stands were selected that encompassed two age-classes replicated on two soil types (clay loam and sand) in a split-plot design. Four of the eight stands originated from logging (21–26 years old), and <F"Times">the four others originated from wildfires (80 years old). Nonlinear age–height analyses were used to compare annual height and radial increment growth of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Species, soil type, and size class explained significant amounts of the measured variation in the age–height models. Aspen, black spruce, and jack pine were 16%, 27%, and 19% taller, respectively, on clay soils than on sandy soils at the burned stand. Tree heights did not differ significantly among species or between soil types in logged stands. Diameter growth decreased as competition increased for black spruce and jack pine in the burned stands. The results for these three important boreal tree species are discussed in the context of sustainable forestry for boreal mixedwood forests.

scholarly journals Leaf-litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics of five selected tropical tree species

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
S. Bhattarai ◽  
B. Bhatta
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Rate Constant ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Nutrient Dynamics ◽  
Decomposition Rate Constant ◽  
Tropical Tree Species ◽  
One Year

Leaf-litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems has a major role in recycling the nutrients to the soil. Nutrient dynamics is the way nutrients cycle in an ecosystem. The present study was conducted for five selected tropical tree species viz. Shorea robusta, Ficus hookeri, Mallotus philippensis, Artocarpus lakoocha and Dillenia pentagyna at Hetauda, Makawanpur. This paper aims to determine the litter decomposition rate-constant and nutrient mineralization pattern of the selected species. The litter-bag method was used to assess the decomposition and nutrient dynamics for one year. Both decomposition rate-constant and weight loss were highest for M. philippensis (% weight loss = 73.49; k = 0.33) and lowest for S. robusta (% weight loss = 54.01; k = 0.18). In general, weight remaining showed a strong negative correlation with N and P concentration but a slightly negative with K. However, the remaining weight of litter showed a strong positive correlation with C : N ratio, thus indicating a good predictor of mass loss and mineralization. The study showed that there was no net release of nitrogen during the one-year study period; however, the net P release was found to be highest for S. robusta followed by D. pentagyna and the net K release was highest in F. hookeri followed by A. lakoocha.

scholarly journals Impact of Tree Litter Identity, Litter Diversity and Habitat Quality on Litter Decomposition Rates in Tropical Moist Evergreen Forest.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyoum Getaneh Aydagnehum ◽  
Olivier Honnay ◽  
Ellen Desie ◽  
Kenny Helsen ◽  
Lisa Couck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Litter Quality ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Evergreen Forest ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Litter Mixtures ◽  
Rooibos Tea ◽  
Litter Diversity

Abstract Background: Attempts to restore degraded highlands by tree planting are common in East Africa. However, up till now, little attention has been given to effects of tree species choice on litter decomposition and nutrient recycling. Method: In this study, three indigenous and two exotic tree species were selected for a litter decomposition study. The objective was to identify optimal tree species combinations and tree diversity levels for the restoration of degraded land via enhanced litter turnover. Litterbags were installed in June 2019 into potential restoration sites (disturbed natural forest and forest plantation) and compared to intact natural forest. The tested tree leaf litters included five monospecific litters, ten mixtures of three species and one mixture of five species. Standard green and rooibos tea were used for comparison. A total of 1033 litters were retrieved for weight loss analysis after one, three, six, and twelve months of incubation. Results: The finding indicates a significant effect of both litter quality and litter diversity on litter decomposition. The nitrogen-fixing native tree Millettia ferruginea showed a comparable decomposition rate as the fast decomposing green tea. The exotic conifer Cupressus lusitanica and the native recalcitrant Syzygium guineense have even a lower decomposition rate than the slowly decomposing rooibos tea. A significant correlation was observed between litter mass loss and initial leaf litter chemical composition. Moreover, we found positive non-additive effects for litter mixtures including nutrient-rich and negative non-additive effects for litter mixtures including poor leaf litters respectively. Conclusion: These findings suggest that both litter quality and litter diversity play an important role in decomposition processes and therefore in the restoration of degraded tropical moist evergreen forest.

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