茂兰喀斯特森林自然保护区凋落叶分解动态

[目的]研究喀斯特森林生态系统凋落叶分解特征,为喀斯特森林区石漠化防治及水土保持提供科学依据。[方法]采用1 mm网孔孔径分解袋,对茂兰喀斯特森林自然保护区不同树种凋落叶(落叶和常绿叶)在不同坡位的分解状况进行为期18个月的观测研究。研究茂兰喀斯特森林自然保护区凋落叶失重率和干重残留率动态变化、分解速率及养分释放特征。[结果]凋落叶分解过程呈现"快—慢—快"的周期变化,春夏季分解速度快于秋冬季,落叶树种凋落叶分解速度快于常绿树种凋落叶,不同坡位凋落叶的分解速度表现为:下坡中坡上坡。利用Olson模型对凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间进行估测,发现落叶树种凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间分别为0.95～1.66 a和4.13～7.19 a,常绿树种凋落叶分解50%和95%所需时间分别为1.14～1.69 a和4.92～7.30 a,二者无显著性差异。凋落叶分解速率低于中亚热带东部常绿阔叶林和常绿落叶阔叶混交林,但比同区域喀斯特次生林与人工林高。落叶树种凋落叶和常绿树种凋落叶的N元素释放模式为富集—释放模式,C含量随分解时间的波动差异显著,总体在不断减少,而C/N比呈逐步下降的趋势。[结论]由于不同树种凋落叶初始养分含量和叶片理化结构的差异,落叶比常绿叶具有更快的分解速率和养分释放速率,对促进喀斯特森林生态系统物质循环起着积极作用。     

我国热带亚热带森林凋落物及其对土壤的影响

本文研究了我国热带、亚热带森林凋落物的数量、化学组成、分解速率及其土壤发育特点。研究表明,季雨林的凋落物量 > 雨林 > 常绿阔叶林;凋落物中灰分总量以季雨林的最大、雨林的次之,阔叶林最少;凋落物的分解速率以最初的90天内最快,以后渐趋缓慢,凋落物在地表的分解速率比表土层快10-20%。热带亚热带森林有明显地生物富集作用,通过凋落物不断增加土壤有机质、提高土壤肥力,改善土壤结构。凋落物归还给土壤的养分元素总量为0.305-1.123吨/公顷·年。由此可以判断土壤发育进程的快慢,如季雨林土壤的发育进程相刘较快,雨林次之,常绿阔叶林最慢。     

马缨杜鹃不同花叶比例凋落物的分解程度和持水性能研究

为揭示马缨杜鹃花叶凋落物对百里杜鹃保护区生态水文功能的影响,采用凋落物分解袋法及室内浸泡法对马缨杜鹃花、叶凋落物分解过程中的持水性能进行研究。结果表明:(1)马缨杜鹃花叶混合凋落物的累积分解率随分解时间及花比例的增加而增加,各花叶混合凋落物累积分解率在纯花及纯叶凋落物之间变化。(2)马缨杜鹃花叶混合凋落物的持水率与浸水时间呈对数函数关系(R=aln t+b,R~20.80),浸水初期2 h内迅速增加,2～8 h时缓慢增加,8 h后趋于平缓并逐渐达到饱和;而凋落物的持水速率均随着浸泡时间的增加而下降,持水速率与浸泡时间呈幂函数关系(V=kt~n,R~20.99),持水速率在浸水初期4 h最大,后逐渐趋于一致;(3)马缨杜鹃花叶混合凋落物最大持水率随着分解时间及花比例的增加逐渐升高,但不同花叶比例凋落物持水率的差异逐渐减小;(4)马缨杜鹃花叶凋落物最大持水量受分解率和最大持水率的共同调控,在分解0～360天时随花比例增加而增加,分解450天后花叶比例不再影响马缨杜鹃林下凋落物层的最大持水量。整体来看,马缨杜鹃花凋落物对叶凋落物分解及花叶凋落物持水功能有很大的影响,对花凋落物进行回收利用不宜超过现存量的50%。     

不同人工林凋落叶混合分解速率及其C,N释放动态

对岷江上游连香树、糙皮桦、云南松和云杉4种主要人工林凋落叶进行了凋落叶混合分解试验,探讨了凋落叶混合分解过程中的残留率以及分解过程中C,N含量和C,N释放率的动态变化,为试验区最佳混交树种的选择提供理论指导.结果表明,不同凋落叶分解速率存在显著差异.糙皮桦与云杉,糙皮桦与云南松,连香树与云南松凋落叶混合后对分解过程具有明显的促进作用,连香树与云杉凋落叶的混合对分解的促进作用不明显.放置于阔叶林地的针阔混合凋落叶分解速率较之放置于针叶林地快,且针阔混交有益于凋落叶的分解.在分解过程中凋落叶C含量呈减小趋势,但其释放率反之;N含量在分解过程中,连香树、云杉、云南松凋落叶表现为增加(富集)减小(释放)趋势,糙皮桦表现为减小—增大—减小的变化趋势.针阔林地凋落叶混合后促进了针叶林地凋落叶C和N的释放.     

西藏原始暗针叶林凋落物有机碳释放特征与土壤有机碳库关系研究

结合野外凋落物分解袋法和室内分析试验,对藏东南2种典型暗针叶林—急尖长苞冷杉(Abies georgei var.Smithii)和林芝云杉(Picea likiangensis var.linzhiensis)凋落物的分解和有机碳释放特征进行研究,分析了2种亚高山暗针叶林凋落物有机碳释放速率与土壤有机碳及其组分之间的关系。结果表明:藏东南2种原始暗针叶林凋落物分解均呈现出雨季分解快(4—9月)、旱季分解慢(10—翌年3月),前期分解快(3—9月)、后期分解慢(10—翌年2月)的特征,且冷杉(PLLF)分解速率大于云杉(AGSF),Olson指数衰减模型能够较好地模拟2种暗针叶林凋落物的分解,冷杉(PLLF)和云杉(AGSF)凋落物半分解时间为2.11,2.52年;分解95%时间为8.96,10.84年;2种暗针叶林凋落物中有机碳含量表现出先上升后下降,再平稳降低的趋势,而2种暗针叶林凋落物中有机碳释放速率表现出先短暂富集再释放的模式;2种暗针叶林土壤总有机碳(TOC)及其活性组分(MBC、POC、LOC)含量都具有明显的表聚性(p<0.01),且同一土壤层次内TOC、MBC、POC、LOC互相之间均呈极显著正相关关系(p<0.01);2种暗针叶林凋落物分解进程中有机碳的释放速率与表层土(0—10 cm)中TOC、MBC、POC、LOC含量、10—20 cm土层中的TOC、MBC含量以及20—40 cm土层中MBC含量之间呈现显著的正相关(p<0.05)。     

亚热带地区3种喀斯特林分凋落物组成对其持水性能的影响

[目的] 揭示亚热带不同喀斯特林分凋落物组成对其持水性能的影响，为丰富森林生态水文研究和加深凋落物层与水文功能关系的认识提供科学依据。 [方法] 收集亚热带喀斯特区的青冈林、青冈+光蜡树林、化香树+密花树林3种代表性林分的凋落物层，将其分为半分解、未分解枝、未分解叶和其他未分解凋落物4种成分，选择每种林分前3种主要成分分别按0%，20%，40%，60%，80%和100%比例混合成21组质量相同、组成比例不同的处理(3种林分共63组处理)。采用浸水法研究其持水性能。 [结果] ①3种林分类型不同组成凋落物的持水率和吸水速率分别与浸水时间呈对数函数关系(R²≥0.718)和幂函数关系(R²≥0.998)；在各浸水时段的持水率和吸水速率以化香树+密花树林纯未分解叶凋落物最大，青冈+光蜡树林纯未分解枝凋落物最小； ②凋落物的持水率和吸水速率均与未分解叶比例呈极显著正相关关系(p＜0.01)，与未分解枝的比例呈极显著负相关关系(p＜0.01)，与半分解凋落物的比例无明显关系； ③3种林分类型凋落物层的总蓄积量及其最大持水量无显著差异，但青冈林凋落物层的最大吸水速率显著高于化香树+密花树林。 [结论] 凋落物组成显著影响其持水性能。在凋落物生态水文效应研究中应综合考虑凋落物蓄积量及其组成的影响。     

采煤沉陷区沙柳和小叶杨凋落物分解特征比较

[目的] 探究采煤沉陷区生态修复植物凋落物的分解特征及影响因素,为干旱气候条件下采煤沉陷区的生态修复提供理论依据。[方法] 采用野外分解袋试验的方法,选取沙柳(Salix psammophila)、小叶杨(Populus simonii)和沙柳与小叶杨混合凋落物3个处理,研究分析了在风沙土和黄土基质条件下,3种类型凋落物分解1 a后的残留量、有机碳(OC)、氮(N)、磷(P)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)和酸性洗涤木质素(ADL)的含量变化。[结果] ①沙柳凋落物年分解速率比小叶杨和混合凋落物高10%～15%;凋落物在黄土上的分解速率比在风沙土上的速率高13%～23%。②凋落物树种对凋落物OC,N和P含量有极显著(p＜0.01)影响,土壤类型对OC,N,P,ADF和ADL的含量均有显著(p＜0.05)或极显著(p＜0.01)影响,表明树种和分解土壤基质均是影响凋落物养分转化的重要因素。③不同凋落物处理之间,沙柳凋落物的OC,N含量高于混合和小叶杨,而沙柳凋落物的P含量在分解试验前4个月低于小叶杨和混合凋落物,随后接近该值。[结论] 相比沙柳,小叶杨凋落物分解较慢,在土壤上形成覆盖能够保持更长时,更适合作为内蒙古采煤沉陷区主要的修复植物。     

不同生境条件下西藏原始冷杉林凋落物分解特征与土壤养分的关系

[目的]研究不同生境条件下(林内、林外、林缘)藏东南急尖长苞冷杉林(Abies georgei var.smithii)凋落物分解特征与土壤养分特征之间的关系,为深入了解高寒高山森林生态系统物质循环过程提供依据。[方法]采用野外分解袋法和室内分析相结合,在林内、林外、林缘3种不同生境条件下对藏东南急尖长苞冷杉林凋落物进行了原位分解试验。[结果]分解速率总体上呈现出:林内林缘林外的特点,逐月分解率的变异系数表现为:林内(34.83%)林缘(57.35%)林外(72.09%);Olson指数衰减模型的模拟结果显示不同生境条件下(林内、林缘、林外)凋落物分解50%需要的时间为2.11,2.52,2.34 a,分解95%需要的时间为8.96,10.01,10.84 a;3种不同生境土壤养分在空间上差异显著,林内生境中与凋落物分解速率呈现极显著相关的土壤养分因子有土壤总有机碳(TOC)含量、N含量、土壤微生物量碳(SMBC)含量、土壤微生物量氮(SMBN)含量以及W_C∶W_N值;林外、林缘生境中与凋落物分解速率相关性最大的为土壤TOC含量,其次为W_C∶W_N值。[结论]生境条件的差异对凋落物分解速率有显著影响,在不同的生境条件下对凋落物分解影响起主导作用的土壤养分因素不同,凋落物—土壤生物地化循环紧密联系,相互作用关系复杂,生境作用效应突出。     

天山森林凋落物和枯枝落时层的研究

通过１９９２－１９９５年的定位试验，对天山森林凋落物和枯枝落叶的主要性质进行了研究。结果表明，天山森林生态系统中养分运转具有独特性：（１）森林年凋落量较低，为２．１ｔ／ｈｍ＾２凋落物的季节动态变化呈单蜂型；（２）以凋落物形式的养分年归还量为Ｃａ〉Ｎ〉Ｋ〉Ｐ。在凋落之前，大部分Ｎ、Ｐ、Ｋ被转移，Ｋ的转移量最大，而Ｃａ则相对富集，归还量最小；（３）枯枝落叶层中养分贮量和蓄水量高，但有机物质分解率较低；     

甘肃省兴隆山森林主要树种凋落叶分解速率与初始质量的关系

[目的]开展凋落叶分解速率研究,探讨凋落叶分解速率与初始质量的关系,为甘肃省兴隆山森林生态系统物质循环研究提供依据。[方法]采用凋落物分解袋法,以兴隆山青杄、山杨和白桦3种主要树种的凋落叶为研究对象,进行凋落叶分解速率及凋落叶初始质量的研究,明确凋落叶分解速率与初始质量的关系。[结果]青杄中龄林针叶分解速率为0.16,95%分解期为19.08a;青杄近熟林针叶分解速率为0.13,95%分解期为23.70a;山杨和白桦凋落叶分解速率均为0.11,95%分解期分别为28.57a和27.27a;山杨和白桦凋落叶分解速率明显要小于青杄针叶,这很可能是凋落叶分解主场效应和分解袋孔径较小所致。凋落叶分解速率与氮含量呈显著线性正相关,与木质素含量、碳/氮值、木质素/氮值和钾含量呈显著线性负相关,特别是与木质素含量、氮含量和木质素/氮值,相关系数均达0.700 0以上;钾含量、木质素含量、木质素/氮、碳/磷和纤维素含量是影响兴隆山森林凋落叶分解速率的重要指标。[结论]木质素/氮值是影响凋落叶分解速率的关键质量指标,凋落叶初始木质素/氮值越高,分解速率越低。     

Macro-invertebrates accelerate litter decomposition and nutrient release in a Hawaiian rainforest

Macro-invertebrates (>2 mm in size) can play a key role in litter decomposition by influencing litter chemistry and other components of the decomposer community, thus affecting rates of decomposition, nutrient release, and primary production. However, in many ecosystems the influences of macro-invertebrates on key ecosystem processes have not been adequately addressed. We investigated the influence of the macro-invertebrate community in litter decomposition and the cycling of nutrients in a young rainforest site on the island of Hawaii by using litter bags with and without 2.5 cm holes to allow or prevent access by macro-invertebrates. Presence of macro-invertebrates increased rates of litter decomposition by 16.9% and rates of nutrient release for N and Mn by 33.2% and 30.3%, respectively. Macro-invertebrate activity thus has a major impact on N release accounting for 3.32 kg/ha/yr. This internal ecosystem transfer of N from the litter is greater than estimates of nitrogen inputs from rain water, dry deposition, volcanic sources, atmospheric dust, and nitrogen fixation for this ecosystem. These findings demonstrate that improved knowledge of the ecosystem effects of macro-invertebrates is necessary to understand how ecosystems function.     

Effects of the annual invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera on the Collembola and Acari communities in a deciduous forest

Invasive plants can disturb interactions between soil organisms and native plants and thereby alter ecosystem functions and/or reduce local biodiversity. Collembola and Acari are the most abundant microarthropods in the leaf litter and soil playing a key role in the decomposition of organic material and nutrient cycling. We designed a field experiment to examine the potential effects of the annual invasive plant Impatiens glandulifera on species diversity, abundance and community composition of Collembola and Acari in leaf litter and soil in a deciduous forest in Switzerland. Leaf litter and soil samples were obtained from plots invaded by I. glandulifera since 6 years, from plots in which the invasive plant had been removed for 4 years and from plots which were not yet colonized by the invasive plant. The 45 leaf litter and soil samples were equally distributed over three forest areas, which were differently affected by a wind throw 12 years prior to sampling representing a natural gradient of disturbance. Collembola species richness and abundance in the leaf litter and soil samples were not affected by the presence of the invasive plant. However, the species composition of Collembola was altered in plots with I. glandulifera. The abundance of leaf-litter dwelling Acari was increased in invaded plots compared to the two other plot types. Furthermore, the presence of the invasive plant shifted the composition of Acari individuals belonging to different groups. Our field experiment demonstrates that an annual invasive plant can affect microarthropods which are important for nutrient cycling in various ecosystems.     

Relationships between soil–litter interface enzyme activities and decomposition in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus massoniana</Emphasis> plantations in China

Purpose

Enzyme activities in decomposing litter are directly related to the rate of litter mass loss and have been widely accepted as indicators of changes in belowground processes. Studies of variation in enzyme activities of soil–litter interface and its effects on decomposition are lacking. Evaluating enzyme activities in this layer is important to better understand energy flow and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.

Materials and methods

Litter decomposition and the seasonal dynamics of soil–litter enzyme activities were investigated in situ in 20- (younger) and 46-year-old (older) Pinus massoniana stands for 540 days from August 2010 to March 2012 by litterbag method. We measured potential activities of invertase, cellulase, urease, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase in litter and the upper mineral soils, and evaluated their relationships with the main environment factors.

Results and discussion

Remaining litter mass was 57.6 % of the initial weights in the younger stands and 61.3 % in the older stands after 540-day decomposition. Levels of enzyme activity were higher in the litter layer than in the soil layer. Soil temperature, litter moisture, and litter nitrogen (N) concentration were the most important factors affecting the enzyme activities. The enzyme activity showed significantly seasonal dynamics in association with the seasonal variations in temperature, water, and decomposition stages. Remaining litter dry mass was found to be significantly linearly correlated with enzyme activities (except for litter peroxidase), which indicates an important role of enzyme activity in the litter decomposition process.

Conclusions

Our results indicated the important effects of biotic (litter N) and abiotic factors (soil temperature and litter moisture) on soil–litter interface enzyme activities. Overall significant linear relationship between remaining dry mass and enzyme activities highlighted the important role of enzyme activity in affecting litter decomposition processes, which will further influence nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Our results contributed to the better understanding of the mechanistic link between upper soil–litter extracellular enzyme production and litter decomposition in forest ecosystems.

     

Elevated atmospheric CO2 affects the turnover of nitrogen in a European grassland

The availability of nutrients in the soil is key to the potential response of a plant to elevated CO₂ and is central to correctly predicting the response of terrestrial communities to climate change. In order for a plant to fully realise the potential of increased atmospheric CO₂, it must increase its nutrient uptake for the increased production of biomass as well as biochemical compounds. In this study the stable isotope ¹⁵N was used to follow the fate of nitrogen contained in litter in order to determine the effect elevated atmospheric CO₂ had on the loss of nitrogen from decomposing litter and the eventual re-use of this nitrogen. During the decomposition study, on a mass basis more ¹⁵N was transferred from the litter despite the litter grown in elevated CO₂ initially having a lower ¹⁵N signal. This was primarily related to a higher decomposition rate of the elevated CO₂ grown litter. Despite more nitrogen entering the below-ground community under elevated atmospheric CO₂, the additional N did not stay within the terrestrial community and was not exploited by the plants. The results confirm previous suggestions that Lolium perenne plants growing in elevated CO₂ have to derive at least a proportion of their nitrogen from a source external to either added fertiliser or decomposing litter     

西双版纳热带雨林次生林的生物养分循环

本文获得了西双版纳热带雨林，砍伐后２块处于恢复演替阶段不同年代的次生林的生物量、生长量、年凋浇物量及它们的主要营养元素含量、对土壤养分状况的影响、以及土壤微生物状况和土壤生化活性等一系列资料。阐明了次生林生物物质和养分吸收、积累和归还的特点及对土壤养发状况的影响，研究了土壤微生物对凋落物的分解作用，从而对热带雨林次生林的生物养分循环作了一初步的探讨，为热带森林生态系统研究奠定了基础。研究表明：１．     

Litter decomposition and nutrient release in relation to atmospheric deposition of S and N in a dry tropical region

Temporal and spatial variations in litterfall, leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release were quantified along an air pollution gradient around an industrial area in a dry tropical region of India. Significant differences were found in litterfall between the sites. Litter decomposition rates also significantly varied among the study sites. Litter decomposition was faster at sites away from the industrial region with coal-fired power plants. The concentrations of N and P increased, whereas that of Ca and SO₄-S decreased in decomposing litter over time. The nutrient release pattern was also modified by atmospheric deposition. Concentrations of SO₂ and NO₂ were negatively correlated with relative mass loss. Turnover time of nutrients, except SO₄-S in decomposing litter was maximal at the site receiving highest atmospheric depositions. The study documents that industrial emissions significantly modified nutrient cycling in adjacent terrestrial ecosystems.     

Long term CO2 enrichment stimulates N-mineralisation and enzyme activities in calcareous grassland

Elevated concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide will affect carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Possible effects include increased carbon input into the soil through the rhizosphere, altered nutrient concentrations of plant litter and altered soil moisture. Consequently, the ongoing rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide might indirectly influence soil biota, decomposition and nutrient transformations.N-mineralisation and activities of the enzymes invertase, xylanase, urease, protease, arylsulfatase, and alkaline phosphatase were investigated in spring and summer in calcareous grassland, which had been exposed to ambient and elevated CO₂ concentrations (365 and 600 μl l⁻¹) for six growing seasons.In spring, N-mineralisation increased significantly by 30% at elevated CO₂, while there was no significant difference between treatments in summer (+3%). The response of soil enzymes to CO₂ enrichment was also more pronounced in spring, when alkaline phosphatase and urease activities were increased most strongly by 32 and 21%. In summer, differences of activities between CO₂ treatments were greatest in the case of urease and protease (+21 and +17% at elevated CO₂).The stimulation of N-mineralisation and enzyme activities at elevated CO₂ was probably caused by higher soil moisture and/or increased root biomass. We conclude that elevated CO₂ will enhance below-ground C- and N-cycling in grasslands.     

Home-field advantage of litter decomposition and nitrogen release in forest ecosystems

Litter decomposition is a major fundamental ecological process that regulates nutrient cycling, thereby affecting net ecosystem carbon (C) storage as well as primary productivity in forest ecosystems. Litter decomposes in its home environment faster than in any other environment. However, evidence for this phenomenon, which is called the home-field advantage (HFA), has not been universal. We provide the first HFA quantification of litter decomposition and nutrient release through meta-analysis of published data in global forest ecosystems. Litter mass loss was 4.2 % faster on average, whereas nitrogen (N) release was 1.7 % lower at the home environment than in another environment. However, no HFA of phosphorus (P) release was observed. Broadleaf litter (4.4 %) had a higher litter mass loss HFA than coniferous litter (1.0 %). The positive HFA of N release was found in the coniferous litter. Mass loss HFA was significantly and negatively correlated with the initial lignin:N litter ratio. The litter decomposition and N release HFAs were obtained when mesh size ranged from 0.15 mm to 2.0 mm. The HFA of litter decomposition increased with decomposition duration during the early decomposition stage. The HFA of N release was well correlated with mass loss, and the greatest HFA was at mass loss less than 20 %. Our results suggest that the litter decomposition and N release HFAs are widespread in forest ecosystems. Furthermore, soil mesofauna is significantly involved in the HFA of litter decomposition.     

Carbon dioxide emissions of soils under pure and mixed stands of beech and spruce, affected by decomposing foliage litter mixtures

Soil respiration is the largest terrestrial source of CO₂ to the atmosphere. In forests, roughly half of the soil respiration is autotrophic (mainly root respiration) while the remainder is heterotrophic, originating from decomposition of soil organic matter. Decomposition is an important process for cycling of nutrients in forest ecosystems. Hence, tree species induced changes may have a great impact on atmospheric CO₂ concentrations. Since studies on the combined effects of beech-spruce mixtures are very rare, we firstly measured CO₂ emission rates in three adjacent stands of pure spruce (Picea abies), mixed spruce-beech and pure beech (Fagus sylvatica) on three base-rich sites (Flysch) and three base-poor sites (Molasse; yielding a total of 18 stands) during two summer periods using the closed chamber method. CO₂ emissions were higher on the well-aerated sandy soils on Molasse than on the clayey soils on Flysch, characterized by frequent water logging. Mean CO₂ effluxes increased from spruce (41) over the mixed (55) to the beech (59) stands on Molasse, while tree species effects were lower on Flysch (30-35, mixed > beech = spruce; all data in mg CO₂-C m⁻² h⁻¹). Secondly, we studied decomposition after fourfold litter manipulations at the 6 mixed species stands: the O_i - and O_e horizons were removed and replaced by additions of beech -, spruce - and mixed litter of the adjacent pure stands of known chemical quality and one zero addition (blank) in open rings (20 cm inner diameter), which were covered with meshes to exclude fresh litter fall. Mass loss within two years amounted to 61-68% on Flysch and 36-44% on Molasse, indicating non-additive mixed species effects (mixed litter showed highest mass loss). However, base cation release showed a linear response, increasing from the spruce - over the mixed - to the beech litter. The differences in N release (immobilization) resulted in a characteristic converging trend in C/N ratios for all litter compositions on both bedrocks during decomposition. In the summers 2006 and 2007 we measured CO₂ efflux from these manipulated areas (a closed chamber fits exactly over such a ring) as field indicator of the microbial activity. Net fluxes (subtracting the so-called blank values) are considered an indicator of litter induced changes only and increased on both bedrocks from the spruce - over the mixed - to the beech litter. According to these measurements, decomposing litter contributed between 22-32% (Flysch) and 11-28% (Molasse) to total soil respiration, strengthening its role within the global carbon cycle.