Effects of base-cation fertilization on litter decomposition in a sugar maple forest in southern Quebec

Application of base-cation fertilizers has been shown to increase tree growth and vigour in declining sugar maple (Acersaccharum Marsh.) stands in southern Quebec but little is known about the effects of such fertilizers on litter quality or decomposition. Sugar maple foliage litters from fertilized and unfertilized plots on a base-poor site and from a naturally base-rich site were incubated in litterbags of 1- and 3-mm mesh sizes on fertilized and unfertilized plots at the base-poor site. Mass loss of unfertilized litter was slower in fertilized than in unfertilized plots, suggesting a negative effect of fertilization on the decomposer community. Faster mass loss of fertilized than unfertilized litter incubated in the same plot indicated that changes in litter quality brought about by fertilization enhanced decomposition. Mass loss of fertilized litter on fertilized plots did not differ from that of unfertilized litter on control plots, indicating that although decomposition processes are affected by fertilization the overall effect on decomposition is negligible. Mass loss was significantly, but only slightly, higher in large mesh than in small mesh bags indicating that larger soil fauna play a limited role in litter decomposition in this forest.

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Effects of nitrogen deposition on litter decomposition and nutrient release mediated by litter types and seasonal change in a temperate forest

Canadian Journal of Soil Science ◽

10.1139/cjss-2019-0037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 100 (1) ◽

pp. 11-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Guoyong Yan ◽

Xiongde Dong ◽

Binbin Huang ◽

Honglin Wang ◽

Ziming Hong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Nutrient Release ◽

N Deposition ◽

Pinus Koraiensis ◽

N Addition ◽

Entire Study ◽

Mixed Litter ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Four Levels

We conducted a field experiment with four levels of simulated nitrogen (N) deposition (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 g N m−2 yr−1, respectively) to investigate the response of litter decomposition of Pinus koraiensis (PK), Tilia amurensis (TA), and their mixture to N deposition during winter and growing seasons. Results showed that N addition significantly increased the mass loss of PK litter and significantly decreased the mass loss of TA litter throughout the 2 yr decomposition processes, which indicated that the different responses in the decomposition of different litters to N addition can be species specific, potentially attributed to different litter chemistry. The faster decomposition of PK litter with N addition occurred mainly in the winter, whereas the slower decomposition of TA litter with N addition occurred during the growing season. Moreover, N addition had a positive effect on the release of phosphorus, magnesium, and manganese for PK litter and had a negative effect on the release of carbon, iron, and lignin for TA litter. Decomposition and nutrient release from mixed litter with N addition showed a non-additive effect. The mass loss from litter in the first winter and over the entire study correlated positively with the initial concentration of cellulose, lignin, and certain nutrients in the litter, demonstrating the potential influence of different tissue chemistries.

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Effects of N Deposition Induced by Environmental Pollution on Litter Decomposition Rate of Cortex phellodendri chinensis in Shenyang City

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.518-523.1913 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 518-523 ◽

pp. 1913-1917

Author(s):

Fang Qin Guo ◽

Wei Chen

Keyword(s):

Environmental Pollution ◽

Mass Loss ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Environmental Conditions ◽

Decomposition Rate ◽

Litter Quality ◽

N Deposition ◽

Shenyang City ◽

Litter Decomposition Rate ◽

Cortex Phellodendri

The effects of N deposition induced by environmental pollution on litter decomposition rate in Shenyang city are analyzed by the reciprocal transplant experiment. By contrasting environments and intraspecific variations in Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis leaf litter quality on mass loss rates to investigate the effects of N deposition on mass loss rates in urban and suburb. The results showed that N deposition in urban significantly affected litter decomposition rate by affecting litter quality and environmental conditions. There was a faster decomposition rate when the environmental conditions or litter quality was affected by N deposition.

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Variability in litter quality and its relationship to litter decay in Canadian forests

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b00-101 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 78 (10) ◽

pp. 1269-1287 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Caroline M Preston ◽

JA (Tony) Trofymow ◽

the Canadian Intersite Decompositio Working Group

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Proximate Analysis ◽

Resonance Spectroscopy ◽

Magic Angle ◽

Klason Lignin ◽

Nmr Parameters ◽

Organic Composition ◽

Wide Range

Predicting the effects of climate change on litter decomposition requires an improved understanding of the link between organic composition and the parameters used to define litter quality. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy with cross-polarization and magic-angle spinning (CPMAS NMR) was used to characterize 36 foliar litters, including the species used in the Canadian Intersite Decomposition Experiment (CIDET), a Canada-wide long-term litter decomposition study. The litters showed a wide range of organic composition, qualitatively interpreted as the sum of component biopolymers (mainly carbohydrates, cutin, tannins, and lignin). Only weak correlations were found between NMR parameters and Klason lignin (KLIG); however, cluster analysis based on elemental, NMR, and proximate analysis gave good separation of botanical classes. NMR also had little predictive value for 3-year CIDET mass losses, which were negatively correlated with both KLIG and KLIG/N. Mass loss generally decreased in the following order: grass > pioneer broad-leafed deciduous > conifer (deciduous and evergreen) > American beech (a fagaceae) > wood. Predictive models for 3-year CIDET mass loss derived from linear regression with elemental, proximate, and NMR analyses were superior to those using only NMR parameters, with the best model based on KLIG, N, and Ca. Although providing no molecular-level understanding, KLIG integrates the most insoluble lignin, cutin, and tannin components. Limitations and possible improvements for NMR evaluation of litter quality are discussed.Key words: Klason lignin, 13C CPMAS NMR, proximate analysis, litter decomposition, tannin, cutin, CIDET.

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Exotic litter of the invasive plantLigustrum lucidumalters enzymatic production and lignin degradation by selected saprotrophic fungi

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/cjfr-2017-0309 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 709-720 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Julieta Mallerman ◽

Raúl Itria ◽

Enrique Alarcón-Gutiérrez ◽

Christian Hernández ◽

Laura Levin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solid State ◽

Mass Loss ◽

Lignin Degradation ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Soluble Sugars ◽

Saprotrophic Fungi ◽

Enzymatic Production ◽

Ligustrum Lucidum ◽

Decomposition Processes ◽

C Nmr

Chemical changes in leaf input to forest soils have been reported to affect decay processes. In this work, litter mass loss and decomposition constants (k) during 200 days in solid-state fermentation of the native tree Celtis tala Gill. ex Planch. and the exotic one Ligustrum lucidum Ait. with three common litter saprotrophic basidiomycetes were compared. Alterations in litter quality were characterized by solid-state13C NMR spectroscopy, pH, soluble sugars, ammonium, proteins, and phenol content determination and were associated with extracellular lignocellulolytic enzyme production. Differences in substrate decomposition related to litter type were observed for Leratiomyces ceres, achieving a higher k in the exotic L. lucidum litter, which might be attributed to the induction of manganese peroxidase activity. Substrate preference for alkyl C and more degradation of lignified compounds were found in such substrates. Although no statistical differences in mass loss were observed for the rest of the fungi assayed, we detected changes in several of the parameters evaluated. This suggests that exotic invasions may alter ecosystem functioning by accelerating decomposition processes through an increased fungal ligninolytic activity.

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Deer slow down litter decomposition by reducing litter quality in a temperate forest

10.1101/690032 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Chollet Simon ◽

Maillard Morgane ◽

Schörghuber Juliane ◽

Grayston Sue ◽

Martin Jean-Louis

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Temperate Forest ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Experimental Situation ◽

Nitrogen Loss ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Decomposition Process ◽

Carbon Loss ◽

One Year

ABSTRACTIn temperate forest ecosystems, the role of deer in litter decomposition, a key nutrient cycling process, remains debated. Deer may modify the decomposition process by affecting plant cover and thus modifying litter abundance. They can also alter litter quality through differential browsing and affect decomposer ability by changing soil abiotic properties and the nature of decomposer communities. We used two litterbag experiments in a quasi-experimental situation resulting from the introduction of Sitka black-tailed deer Odocoileus odocoileus sitkensis on forested islands of Haida Gwaii (Canada). We investigated the effects of deer on decomposition through their impacts on litter quality and on decomposer ability. After one year, the effect of deer on litter quality resulted in a lower rate of mass loss in litter from litterbags. This mass loss mainly reflected a 21 and 38 % lower rate of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) loss, respectively. Presence of deer resulted in lower decomposer ability for the rate of carbon loss, but not for nitrogen loss. The level of C loss after one year was 5% higher for litter decomposing on an island without deer. But the change in the rate of carbon loss explained by the effect of deer on decomposer ability was outweighed by the effect deer had on litter quality. Additional effects of deer on the decomposition process through feces deposition were significant but minor. These results question the role the large increase in deer populations observed in temperate forests at continental scales may play in broad scale patterns of C and N cycling.

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Role of endophytic fungi in grass litter decomposition

NZGA: Research and Practice Series ◽

10.33584/rps.13.2006.3097 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 ◽

pp. 103-105

Author(s):

T. Osono

Keyword(s):

Litter Decomposition ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Fungal Endophytes ◽

Published Data ◽

Minor Effect ◽

Slow Increase ◽

Negative Effect ◽

Litter Nitrogen ◽

Low Nitrogen

Fungal endophytes of grasses affect ecosystem processes through mutualistic interactions with host plants, but how grass endophytes affect litter decomposition remains unclear. In this study, previously published data on litter quality and decomposition of grasses are summarised and effects of fungal endophytes of grasses on litter quality and decomposition are reviewed to discuss possible roles of endophytes in decomposition. Aboveground litters of grasses have relatively low nitrogen (N) and lignin contents and show slow increase of N and lignin contents during decomposition. Endophyte-infected litter have slightly lower N contents than non-infected litter, but the differences so far reported were not statistically significant. A negative effect of grass endophytes on litter decomposition rates was demonstrated, but the effect of endophyte infection on decomposition was not as strong as the effects of other biological and environmental factors. This suggests that grass endophytes have a relatively minor effect of on litter quality and decomposition, but more studies are necessary to verify this tentative conclusion. Keywords: decomposition, lignin, litter, nitrogen

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Direct and legacy effects of plant-traits control litter decomposition in a deciduous oak forest in Mexico

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.5095 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e5095 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bruno Chávez-Vergara ◽

Agustín Merino ◽

Antonio González-Rodríguez ◽

Ken Oyama ◽

Felipe García-Oliva

Keyword(s):

Microbial Community ◽

Mass Loss ◽

Microbial Activity ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Soil Microbial Community ◽

Litter Quality ◽

Metabolic Capacity ◽

Soil Microbial ◽

Decomposition Stage

Background Litter decomposition is a key process in the functioning of forest ecosystems, because it strongly controls nutrient recycling and soil fertility maintenance. The interaction between the litter chemical composition and the metabolism of the soil microbial community has been described as the main factor of the decomposition process based on three hypotheses: substrate-matrix interaction (SMI), functional breadth (FB) and home-field advantage (HFA). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of leaf litter quality (as a direct plant effect, SMI hypothesis), the metabolic capacity of the microbial community (as a legacy effect, FB hypothesis), and the coupling between the litter quality and microbial activity (HFA hypothesis) on the litter decomposition of two contiguous deciduous oak species at a local scale. Methods To accomplish this objective, we performed a litterbag experiment in the field for 270 days to evaluate mass loss, leaf litter quality and microbial activity in a complete factorial design for litter quality and species site. Results The litter of Quercus deserticola had higher rate of decomposition independently of the site, while the site of Quercus castanea promoted a higher rate of decomposition independently of the litter quality, explained by the specialization of the soil microbial community in the use of recalcitrant organic compounds. The Home-Field Advantage Index was reduced with the decomposition date (22% and 4% for 30 and 270 days, respectively). Discussion We observed that the importance of the coupling of litter quality and microbial activity depends on decomposition stage. At the early decomposition stage, the home-advantage hypothesis explained the mass loss of litter; however, in the advanced decomposition stage, the litter quality and the metabolic capacity of the microbial community can be the key drivers.

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Ants accelerate litter decomposition in a Costa Rican lowland tropical rain forest

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467412000375 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (5) ◽

pp. 437-443 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Terrence P. McGlynn ◽

Evan K. Poirson

Keyword(s):

Mass Loss ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Costa Rican ◽

Tropical Rain Forests ◽

Rain Forests ◽

Food Web Structure ◽

Litter Bags ◽

Lowland Rain Forest

Abstract:The decomposition of leaf litter is governed, in part, by litter invertebrates. In tropical rain forests, ants are dominant predators in the leaf litter and may alter litter decomposition through the action of a top-down control of food web structure. The role of ants in litter decomposition was investigated in a Costa Rican lowland rain forest with two experiments. In a mesocosm experiment, we manipulated ant presence in 50 ambient leaf-litter mesocosms. In a litterbag gradient experiment, Cecropia obtusifolia litter was used to measure decomposition rate constants across gradients in nutrients, ant density and richness, with 27 separate litterbag treatments for total arthropod exclusion or partial arthropod exclusion. After 2 mo, mass loss in mesocosms containing ants was 30.9%, significantly greater than the 23.5% mass loss in mesocosms without ants. In the litter bags with all arthropods excluded, decomposition was best accounted by the carbon: phosphorus content of soil (r2 = 0.41). In litter bags permitting smaller arthropods but excluding ants, decomposition was best explained by the local biomass of ants in the vicinity of the litter bags (r2 = 0.50). Once the microarthropod prey of ants are permitted to enter litterbags, the biomass of ants near the litterbags overtakes soil chemistry as the regulator of decomposition. In concert, these results support a working hypothesis that litter-dwelling ants are responsible for accelerating litter decomposition in lowland tropical rain forests.

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