Litter decomposition of six common tree species at different rainy periods in the subtropical region

Plant–microbial interactions in the litter layer represent one of the most relevant interactions for biogeochemical cycling as litter decomposition is a key first step in carbon and nitrogen turnover. However, our understanding of these interactions in the litter layer remains elusive. In an old-growth mixed Nothofagus forest in Patagonia, we studied the effects of single tree species identity and the mixture of three tree species on the fungal and bacterial composition in the litter layer. We also evaluated the effects of nitrogen (N) addition on these plant–microbial interactions. In addition, we compared the magnitude of stimulation of litter decomposition due to home field advantage (HFA, decomposition occurs more rapidly when litter is placed beneath the plant species from which it had been derived than beneath a different plant species) and N addition that we previously demonstrated in this same forest, and used microbial information to interpret these results. Tree species identity had a strong and significant effect on the composition of fungal communities but not on the bacterial community of the litter layer. The microbial composition of the litter layer under the tree species mixture show an averaged contribution of each single tree species. N addition did not erase the plant species footprint on the fungal community, and neither altered the bacterial community. N addition stimulated litter decomposition as much as HFA for certain tree species, but the mechanisms behind N and HFA stimulation may have differed. Our results suggest that stimulation of decomposition from N addition might have occurred due to increased microbial activity without large changes in microbial community composition, while HFA may have resulted principally from plant species’ effects on the litter fungal community. Together, our results suggest that plant–microbial interactions can be an unconsidered driver of litter decomposition in temperate forests.

Download Full-text

Leaf litter decomposition and mulch performance from mixed and monospecific plantations of native tree species in Costa Rica

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment ◽

10.1016/0167-8809(96)01028-6 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 58 (2-3) ◽

pp. 145-155 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Rachel Byard ◽

Kristin C. Lewis ◽

Florencia Montagnini

Keyword(s):

Costa Rica ◽

Leaf Litter ◽

Litter Decomposition ◽

Tree Species ◽

Leaf Litter Decomposition ◽

Native Tree ◽

Native Tree Species

Download Full-text

The relative importance of space compared to topography increases from rare to common tree species across latitude

Journal of Biogeography ◽

10.1111/jbi.13420 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 (11) ◽

pp. 2520-2532 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yue-Hua Hu ◽

Daniel J. Johnson ◽

Xiang-Cheng Mi ◽

Xu-Gao Wang ◽

Wan-Hui Ye ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

Relative Importance ◽

Common Tree

Download Full-text

Site Type Effect on Litter Decomposition Rates: A Three-Year Comparison of Decomposition Process between Spoil Heap and Forest Sites

Forests ◽

10.3390/f10040353 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 353 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Horodecki ◽

Jagodziński

Keyword(s):

Litter Decomposition ◽

Tree Species ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Forest Stands ◽

Decomposition Rates ◽

Degraded Lands ◽

Spoil Heap ◽

Forest Sites ◽

Pine Stands

Research Highlights: Direct comparison of leaf litter decomposition rates between harsh soil conditions of degraded lands and adjacent “closer to natural” forest areas has not been done before. Background and Objectives: We aimed to fill this knowledge gap by determining the differences in amounts of carbon and nitrogen released by species-specific litter depending on decomposition rates in various stand and habitat conditions, which enables selection of the most ecologically and economically appropriate (for fast soil organic layer development) tree species for afforestation of reclaimed lands. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on the external spoil heap of the “Bełchatów” lignite mine (Central Poland) and adjacent forests. In December 2013, we established a litterbag experiment beneath the canopies of birch and pine stands. We used litter of Alnus glutinosa (Gaertn.), Betula pendula (Roth), Pinus sylvestris (L.), and Quercus robur (L.) collected ex situ, which we installed (after oven-drying) beneath the canopies of eight stands. The experiment lasted for three years (with sampling of three-month intervals). Results: Harsh soil conditions of degraded lands are unfavorable for litter mineralization. It was found that 23%–74% of decomposed materials were mineralized in spoil heap stands, whereas in forest stands these amounts ranged from 35%–83%. Litter of Q. robur in birch stands on the spoil heap is predicted to take 12 years longer for total decomposition than in forest stands of the same species. This hinders organic carbon turnover and could result in elongation of the time for full biological and economic reclamation of degraded lands. On the other hand, decomposition of relatively fast decomposable litter (A. glutinosa and B. pendula) in pine stands on the spoil heap was faster than in pine stands in forest sites (17% and 13% faster, respectively). We did not observe this trend for decomposition of more recalcitrant litter types of P. sylvestris and Q. robur. Conclusions: The results show the value of selective choice of tree species for afforestation of post-mining areas to accelerate the development of technogenic soil substrates. We recommend introducing all tree species studied in the cluster form of admixtures as all of them could bring some profits in ecological and economical reclamation.

Download Full-text