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.

scholarly journals Litter mixing effect on decomposition rate and nutrient release: low quality leaves of coastal species

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lili Wei
Keyword(s):  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Additive Effect ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Mangrove Species ◽  
Litter Bag ◽  
Litter Mixtures ◽  
Coastal Species ◽  
Litter Mixing

Coastal wetlands are among the most carbon-rich ecosystems in the world. Litter decomposition is a major process controlling soil carbon input. Litter mixing has shown a non-additive effect on the litter decomposition of terrestrial plants particularly of those species having contrasting litter quality. But the non-additive effect has been rarely tested in coastal plants which generally having low-quality litters. We selected three common mangrove species and one saltmarsh species, co-occurring in subtropical coasts, to test whether the non-additive effect occurs when the litters of these coastal species mixing together. We are also concerned whether the changes in the decomposition rate of litter will affect the nutrient contents in waters. A litter-bag experiment was carried out in a glasshouse with single and mixed leaf litters. A non-additive effect was observed in the litter mixtures of mangrove species Aegiceras corniculatum vs. Kandelia obovata (antagonistic) and A. corniculatum vs. Avicennia marina (synergistic). Whereas, the mixture of A. corniculatum (mangrove species) and Spartina alterniflora (saltmarsh species) showed an additive effect. The strength of the non-additive effect was unrelated to the initial trait dissimilarity of litters. Instead, the decomposition rate and mass remaining of litter mixtures were strongly related to the carbon concentrations in litters. Nutrient content in waters was dependent on the decomposition rate of litter mixtures but not on the initial nutrient concentrations in litters. Despite the behind mechanisms were not yet revealed by the current study, these findings have improved our understanding of the litter decomposition of coastal species and the consequent nutrient release.

scholarly journals Litter Traits of Native and Non-Native Tropical Trees Influence Soil Carbon Dynamics in Timber Plantations in Panama

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Kerdraon ◽  
Julia Drewer ◽  
Biancolini Castro ◽  
Abby Wallwork ◽  
Jefferson Hall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Soil Carbon ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Soil Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Litter Mixtures ◽  
Native Tree ◽  
Native Tree Species

Tropical reforestation initiatives are widely recognized as a key strategy for mitigating rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Although rapid tree growth in young secondary forests and plantations sequesters large amounts of carbon (C) in biomass, the choice of tree species for reforestation projects is crucial, as species identity and diversity affect microbial activity and soil C cycling via plant litter inputs. The decay rate of litter is largely determined by its chemical and physical properties, and trait complementarity of diverse litter mixtures can produce non-additive effects, which facilitate or delay decomposition. Furthermore, microbial communities may preferentially decompose litter from native tree species (homefield advantage). Hence, information on how different tree species influence soil carbon dynamics could inform reforestation efforts to maximize soil C storage. We established a decomposition experiment in Panama, Central America, using mesocosms and litterbags in monoculture plantations of native species (Dalbergia retusa Hemsl. and Terminalia amazonia J.F.Gmel., Exell) or teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) to assess the influence of different litter types and litter mixtures on soil C dynamics. We used reciprocal litter transplant experiments to assess the homefield advantage and litter mixtures to determine facilitative or antagonistic effects on decomposition rates and soil respiration in all plantation types. Although litter properties explained some of the variation in decomposition, the microclimate and soil properties in the plantations also played an important role. Microbial biomass C and litter decomposition were lower in Tectona than in the native plantations. We observed non-additive effects of mixtures with Tectona and Dalbergia litter on both decomposition and soil respiration, but the effect depended on plantation type. Further, there was a homefield disadvantage for soil respiration in Tectona and Terminalia plantations. Our results suggest that tree species diversity plays an important role in the resilience of tropical soils and that plantations with native tree species could help maintain key processes involved in soil carbon sequestration.

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

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.

scholarly journals Leaf Litter Mixtures Alter Microbial Community Development: Mechanisms for Non-Additive Effects in Litter Decomposition

PLoS ONE ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e62671 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha K. Chapman ◽  
Gregory S. Newman ◽  
Stephen C. Hart ◽  
Jennifer A. Schweitzer ◽  
George W. Koch
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Community Development ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Litter Mixtures

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.

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.

Non-additive Effects of Leaf Litter Mixtures from Robinia pseudoacacia and Ten Tree Species on Soil Properties

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 771-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Li ◽  
Guangyue Zhao ◽  
Guangmin Cao ◽  
Xiaoxi Zhang ◽  
Zengwen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Robinia Pseudoacacia ◽  
Additive Effects ◽  
Litter Mixtures

scholarly journals Effect of Litter Quality on Needle Decomposition for Four Pine Species in Korea

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 371
Author(s):  
Hee Myung Chae ◽  
Sung Hwan Choi ◽  
Sang Hoon Lee ◽  
Sangsub Cha ◽  
Keum Chul Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Litter Decomposition ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Litter Quality ◽  
Pinus Koraiensis ◽  
Cellulose Content ◽  
Initial Surface ◽  
Needle Litter ◽  
Pine Species

Litter decomposition involves multiple complex processes, including interactions between the physicochemical characteristics of litter species and various environmental factors. We selected four representative pine species in South Korea (Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc., Pinus thunbergii Parl., Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc., and Pinus rigida Miller) to investigate the decay rate and effects of the physicochemical properties on decomposition. Needle litters were incubated in microcosms at 23 °C for 280 days and retrieved four times in about 70-day intervals. The mass loss showed significant differences among the species and was higher in the order of P. densiflora (30.5%), P. koraiensis (27.8%), P. rigida (26.5%), and P. thunbergii (23.6%). The needle litter decomposition showed a negative relationship with the initial surface area, volume, density, cellulose content, and lignin/nitrogen of the litter, and a positive relationship with the initial specific leaf area (SLA), surface-area-to-volume ratio (SA/V), and water- and ethanol-soluble substances. The decomposition rate was highly affected by the physical properties of litter when compared with the initial chemical litter quality, and it was strongly influenced by SLA and SA/V. Accordingly, the physical properties of pine needle litter, especially SLA and SA/V, may be the key factors, and they could be used as predictive indices for the decomposition rate of pine tree litters.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document