SOIL ORGANIC MATTER AND NUTRIENT DYNAMICS

2013 ◽  
pp. 425-444
2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 701-716 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Osono

The ecology of endophytic and epiphytic phyllosphere fungi of forest trees is reviewed with special emphasis on the development of decomposer fungal communities and decomposition processes of leaf litter. A total of 41 genera of phyllosphere fungi have been reported to occur on leaf litter of tree species in 19 genera. The relative proportion of phyllosphere fungi in decomposer fungal communities ranges from 2% to 100%. Phyllosphere fungi generally disappear in the early stages of decomposition, although a few species persist until the late stages. Phyllosphere fungi have the ability to utilize various organic compounds as carbon sources, and the marked decomposing ability is associated with ligninolytic activity. The role of phyllosphere fungi in the decomposition of soluble components during the early stages is relatively small in spite of their frequent occurrence. Recently, the roles of phyllosphere fungi in the decomposition of structural components have been documented with reference to lignin and cellulose decomposition, nutrient dynamics, and accumulation and decomposition of soil organic matter. It is clear from this review that several of the common phyllosphere fungi of forest trees are primarily saprobic, being specifically adapted to colonize and utilize dead host tissue, and that some phyllosphere fungi with marked abilities to decompose litter components play important roles in decomposition of structural components, nutrient dynamics, and soil organic matter accumulation.Key words: carbon cycle, community, endophyte, epiphyte, succession.


Author(s):  
Heide Spiegel ◽  
Taru Sandén ◽  
Georg Dersch ◽  
Andreas Baumgarten ◽  
Ralf Gründling ◽  
...  

2004 ◽  
pp. 145-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Andre ◽  
Cécile Villenave ◽  
Fabienne Charpentier ◽  
Nicolas Bernier ◽  
Patrick Lavelle ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Sumit Chakravarty ◽  
Prakash Rai ◽  
Vineeta ◽  
Nazir A. Pala ◽  
Gopal Shukla

Plant litter production and decomposition is a crucial ecosystem process that defines and governs the plant-soil relationships by regulating the nutrient turnover and the build-up of soil organic matter. Litter is the principal source of organic matter for soils in the forest ecosystem. The litter, upon decomposition, makes available essential nutrients for the growth and development of a forest stand. Different tree components contain different amounts of nutrients; and build up of soil organic matter. The amount of nutrients added through litter decomposition varies with forest types, species, stand attributes, and variation in seasonal environmental conditions. Nutrient return from organic matter is estimated by the physico-chemical properties of the litter. Moreover, the rate of decomposition and the nutrient releases are highly influenced by magnitude of litter produced, litter quality and nutrients release, as well as, by climatic conditions and existing microbial communities in the soil system. Ecological impact of carbon and nutrient dynamics in the litter layer is considerable in a forest ecosystem.


1999 ◽  
Vol 31 (13) ◽  
pp. 1773-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane J. Kapkiyai ◽  
Nancy K. Karanja ◽  
Javaid N. Qureshi ◽  
Paul C. Smithson ◽  
Paul L. Woomer

1992 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary A. Arthur ◽  
Timothy J. Fahey

Biomass and nutrient dynamics were examined in a subalpine Piceaengelmannii Parry–Abieslasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. forest within Loch Vale watershed in north central Colorado by quantifying annual above- and below-ground production, biomass, nutrient pools, and internal nutrient transfers. Subalpine forest covers only 6% of the watershed, and the values reported here refer only to the forested area. Total ecosystem biomass was 42 kg•m−2, of which 30% was soil organic matter, 33% was detrital biomass (including deadwood and forest floor), and 36% was living biomass. Total forest biomass (not including soil organic matter) was 28.9 kg•m−2, of which root biomass was 11%. Net primary production was 520 g•m−2•year−1, of which fine root production was about 27% and foliar production was 30%. Much more N was recycled via fine root turnover than via aboveground litter fall (1.6 versus 0.9 g•m−2•year−1), whereas four times more Ca was returned via litter fall than via fine roots. Compared with other temperate coniferous forests, this subalpine forest had low production. Nutrient resorption contributed between 35 and 38% of the annual requirements of N, P, and K, but only 9% of Ca and 12% of Mg. Although a higher percentage of annual N requirement was met by resorption, this forest used N less efficiently than a similar forest in southwestern Alberta.


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