Interacting effects of yak dung deposition and litter quality on litter mass loss and nitrogen dynamics in Tibetan alpine grassland

AbstractDecomposition of dead fine roots contributes significantly to nutrient cycling and soil organic matter stabilization. Most knowledge of tree fine-root decomposition stems from studies in monospecific stands or single-species litter, although most forests are mixed. Therefore, we assessed how tree species mixing affects fine-root litter mass loss and which role initial litter quality and environmental factors play. For this purpose, we determined fine-root decomposition of 13 common tree species in four European forest types ranging from boreal to Mediterranean climates. Litter incubations in 315 tree neighborhoods allowed for separating the effects of litter species from environmental influences and litter mixing (direct) from tree diversity (indirect). On average, mass loss of mixed-species litter was higher than those of single-species litter in monospecific neighborhoods. This was mainly attributable to indirect diversity effects, that is, alterations in microenvironmental conditions as a result of tree species mixing, rather than direct diversity effects, that is, litter mixing itself. Tree species mixing effects were relatively weak, and initial litter quality and environmental conditions were more important predictors of fine-root litter mass loss than tree diversity. We showed that tree species mixing can alter fine-root litter mass loss across large environmental gradients, but these effects are context-dependent and of moderate importance compared to environmental influences. Interactions between species identity and site conditions need to be considered to explain diversity effects on fine-root decomposition.

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Effects of management on plant litter traits and consequences for litter mass loss and Collembola functional diversity in a Mediterranean agro-forest system

Pedobiologia ◽

10.1016/j.pedobi.2019.05.002 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 75 ◽

pp. 38-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Eduardo Nascimento ◽

Filipa Reis ◽

Filipe Chichorro ◽

Cristina Canhoto ◽

Ana Lúcia Gonçalves ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Functional Diversity ◽

Plant Litter ◽

Litter Mass ◽

Litter Traits ◽

Litter Mass Loss

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Linking plant litter microbial diversity to microhabitat conditions, environmental gradients and litter mass loss: Insights from a European study using standard litter bags

Soil Biology and Biochemistry ◽

10.1016/j.soilbio.2020.107778 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 144 ◽

pp. 107778

Author(s):

Silvia Pioli ◽

Judith Sarneel ◽

Haydn J.D. Thomas ◽

Xavier Domene ◽

Pilar Andrés ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Microbial Diversity ◽

Mass Loss ◽

Environmental Gradients ◽

Plant Litter ◽

European Study ◽

Litter Bags ◽

Litter Mass ◽

Litter Mass Loss

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Experimental test of water, nutrients, and microclimate on leaf litter mass loss in headwater riparian forests

Ecosphere ◽

10.1002/ecs2.2478 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. e02478 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tonya L. Ramey ◽

John S. Richardson

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Experimental Test ◽

Riparian Forests ◽

Litter Mass ◽

Litter Mass Loss ◽

Water Nutrients

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Manganese dynamics in decomposing needle and leaf litter — a synthesis

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2013-0097 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 43 (12) ◽

pp. 1127-1136 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Björn Berg ◽

Björn Erhagen ◽

Maj-Britt Johansson ◽

Lars Vesterdal ◽

Mikaeel Faituri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Norway Spruce ◽

Scots Pine ◽

Deciduous Species ◽

Limit Values ◽

Litter Mass ◽

Litter Mass Loss ◽

Species Groups ◽

Mn Concentration ◽

Mn Concentrations

The aim of the present synthesis paper was to determine whether concentration changes and net release of manganese (Mn), as related to accumulated litter mass loss, are related to initial Mn concentration, mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), and tree genus or species. We also examined whether limit values for decomposition are related to initial litter Mn concentration, MAT, and MAP. We compiled 84 foliar litter decomposition studies, conducted mainly in boreal and temperate forest ecosystems, for which Mn dynamics had been well documented. Manganese concentration and amount were related to accumulated litter mass loss at each sampling time for each single study, as well as for (i) all studies combined (n = 748) and (ii) for species groups viz. Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) (n = 284), pine (Pinus) species (n = 330), and deciduous species (n = 214). The changes in Mn concentration with accumulated mass loss followed quadratic functions showing significantly higher Mn concentrations for Norway spruce vs. Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) (p < 0.0001) and vs. deciduous species (p < 0.01), as well as significantly higher for deciduous species vs. Scots pine (p < 0.0001). Manganese release rates were different among the three species groups (p < 0.001). Still, rates were related to initial Mn concentrations (p < 0.001) for all litter types combined and for the three species groups. Norway spruce released Mn more slowly than pine and deciduous species. Rates were related to climatic factors for litter of Norway spruce and deciduous species. Limit values for all litter and for pine species separately were related to Mn (p < 0.001) and MAT (p < 0.001). For Norway spruce, limit values were related to MAT (p < 0.001) and MAP (p < 0.01). It appears that Norway spruce litter retains Mn more strongly in the litter structure, producing humus richer in Mn than does litter of pine and deciduous species.

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