森林凋落物生产及分解研究进展

森林凋落物的归还量及分解对森林生态系统影响极大。森林凋落物归还量受自然因素和人为因素共同影响,自然因素主要包括环境因子和林分因子。影响森林凋落物分解的因素主要分为内在因素和外在因素,内在因素指凋落物的理化性质,如凋落物的C/N比、木质素/N比和C/P比等重要的分解指标,而外部因素中的温度和湿度是影响凋落物分解主要的气候因子,土壤动物及微生物物也是影响凋落物分解的关键因子,人类活动及人为导致的CO2浓度升高、N沉降等全球气候变化也直接或间接的影响凋落物的分解速率。     

森林凋落物分解研究进展

系统评述森林凋落物的分解过程、凋落物分解及养分释放的影响因素、分解研究的方法等.森林凋落物的分解既有物理过程,又有生物化学过程,一般由淋溶、自然粉碎、代谢作用等共同完成.凋落物分解过程先后出现分解速率较快和较慢2个阶段,元素迁移一般呈现淋溶-富集-释放的模式.凋落物分解主要受气候、凋落物性质、微生物和土壤动物的影响,气候是最基本的影响因素,常用实际蒸散(actual evapotranspiration简称AET)作为指标.凋落物分解速率呈明显的气候地带性,与温度、湿度等紧密相关.从全球尺度来讲,凋落物质量对分解速率的影响处于次要地位,但在同一气候带内因AET变化较小,则起了主导作用.N、P和木质素浓度、C/N、C/P、木质素与养分比值是常见的凋落物质量指标,其中C/N和木质素/N最能反映凋落物分解速率.凋落物化学性质对其分解的影响作用又与分解阶段有关.凋落叶中N、P、K初始浓度高使得初期分解较快,而后期分解放慢.土壤理化性质及微生物区系也将不同程度地影响凋落物分解.尼龙网袋法(litter bag method)操作简单,是野外测定森林凋落物分解速率最常用的方法.除此之外,缩微试验也得到了广泛应用.目前普遍采用的衡量凋落物分解速率大小的指标主要有CO2释放速率、凋落物分解系数(k值)及质量损失率.在此基础上提出了指数衰减、线性回归等模型来模拟凋落物分解过程.尽管对凋落物分解在森林生态系统C、N、P循环、土壤肥力维持等方面已进行了较深入的研究,但未来研究应侧重以下方向:长期的定位观测;采用相对统一的研究方法,获得可比性强的数据进行综合;深化凋落物分解机理研究;探讨全球气候变化对森林凋落物分解的影响;评价营林措施(如林分皆伐、造林、施石灰和肥料等)对凋落物分解与养分释放的调节作用.     

华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中木质素降解对模拟氮、硫沉降的响应

[目的]探索亚热带常绿阔叶凋落叶分解过程中木质素降解对氮、硫沉降的响应。[方法]采用氮、硫双因素3水平试验设计方法,设置对照(CK)、低氮(LN, 50 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1))、高氮(HN, 150 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1))、低硫(LS, 200 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1))、高硫(HS, 400 kg·hm~(-2)·a~(-1))、低氮低硫(LNLS)、高氮低硫(HNLS)、低氮高硫(LNHS)和高氮高硫(HNHS)9个处理,分析氮、硫沉降对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中木质素降解的影响。[结果]模拟氮、硫沉降1年时间,LN、LNLS和HNLS对木质素残留率、多酚氧化酶和过氧化氢酶活性的影响不显著;LS显著降低了木质素残留率,显著增加了凋落叶C/N、纤维素损失率、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性;HN、HS、LNHS和HNHS显著增加了木质素残留率,显著降低了凋落叶C/N、纤维素损失率、多酚氧化酶和过氧化物酶活性;氮沉降和硫沉降对木质素降解的交互作用显著。[结论]不同氮、硫沉降水平对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落叶分解过程中木质素降解及相关酶的影响不同,在氮、硫沉降量持续增加的背景下,氮、硫沉降相互作用,共同影响凋落叶分解过程中木质素的降解,进而影响凋落叶分解过程。     

不同林龄油松人工林叶凋落物分解特性

2005年在北京市延庆县营盘村附近中山采用网袋法,比较21、29、36年生油松叶凋落物分解动态、分解速率、基质质量的差异.结果表明:在所观测的14个月内,不同林龄油松叶凋落物分解动态差异较小,均呈快椔龡快的规律,翌年5至7月份凋落物分解速率低于2005年同期的分解速率.21 a、29 a、36 a油松叶凋落物分解速率分别为26.97％、26.10％和23.96％,半分解周期分别为2.21 a、2.29 a和2.54 a,周转期分别为9.54 a、9.91 a和10.94 a.凋落物分解速率、半周转期、周转期失重率仅在0.1水平上差异显著.林龄对叶凋落物N影响最大(P=0.004),对粗灰分(P=0.028)影响显著.林龄对纤维素、木质素、粗脂肪、粗蛋白影响不显著.不同林龄叶凋落物C/N(P=0.009)、木质素/N(P=0.048)显著差异,C/N、木质素/N与叶凋落物分解速率相关系数均为-0.333.     

模拟N沉降对滇中亚高山典型森林凋落物分解及土壤微生物的影响

[目的]模拟N沉降下凋落物分解及土壤微生物特征,为研究森林生态系统碳、氮循环对氮沉降的响应机制提供依据。[方法]以滇中亚高山常绿阔叶林、华山松(Pinus armandii)林、高山栎(Quercus semicarpifolia)林和云南松(Pinus yunnanensis)林凋落物为研究对象,采用凋落物袋法,于2018年2月至2019年1月,通过模拟N沉降和原位分解实验,研究不同模拟N沉降下(CK, 0;LN, 5;MN, 15;HN, 30 g·m~(-2)·a~(-1))凋落物碳氮、土壤微生物量碳(MBC)、微生物量氮(MBN)及土壤微生物数量变化特征。[结果]分解1年后,不同N沉降处理下,常绿阔叶林和高山栎林凋落物C含量均显著增加(0.40%～8.16%),华山松林和云南松林凋落物C含量呈LN减少(2.67%),HN增加(4.09%);各林分凋落物N含量均显著增加(1.45%～69.01%),C/N则显著降低(0.34%～37.92%);相同N沉降下土壤微生物量随土层的加深而减小,N沉降对土层垂直分布格局影响不显著;N沉降对常绿阔叶林和高山栎林土壤MBC和MBN的影响表现为抑制,对华山松林和云南松林表现为低N促进,高N抑制;4种林分土壤MBC/MBN介于5.31～11.26之间,N沉降对不同林分不同土层的MBC/MBN影响存在差异,但均受到高N的抑制作用。[结论]滇中亚高山4种典型森林凋落物分解主要受森林类型影响,N沉降次之;土壤微生物量和数量主要受森林类型影响,土壤深度次之,N沉降最小。     

大老岭自然保护区日本落叶松林凋落物分解及养分释放研究

[目的]研究外来引进树种日本落叶松林凋落物对土壤养分的影响。[方法]采用分解袋法分别对18年生和24年生日本落叶松林以及周围针阔混交林凋落物的分解和养分释放规律进行了研究。[结果]凋落物分解和养分释放速率均表现为针阔混交林日本落叶松纯林;24年生日本落叶松林18年生日本落叶松林。其中不同林分的凋落物残留率与时间呈指数相关,凋落物年分解系数(K)也表现为针阔混交林(0.555 6)24年生日本落叶松林(0.445 0)18年生日本落叶松林(0.366 2)。凋落物分解速率与初始N元素含量呈极显著正相关,而与C/N比呈显著负相关,高的木质素含量对凋落物的分解有一定影响。C元素、K元素表现为直接释放模式,而研究中C/N比和C/P比相对较高,使N元素和P元素均表现为先富集后释放的模式。各养分元素的残留率总体呈现出18年生日本落叶松林24年生日本落叶松林针阔混交林的格局。[结论]不同林分凋落物分解和养分释放速率差异较大。凋落物年分解系数表现为针阔混交林24年生日本落叶松林18年生日本落叶松林。     

施氮条件下森林凋落物分解早期的碳和氮动态

通过13周实验室培养试验,研究了施氮和树种对森林凋落物早期分解过程中碳和氮动态的影响,新鲜凋落物样品包括针叶（红松）和两种阔叶（蒙古栎和紫椴）,采自长白山北坡阔叶红松林。试验共包括3个施氮梯度（0、30和50kg·ha^-1．a^-1 NH4NO3）。以质量减少和呼吸速率表征的凋落物分解速率随可溶性氮的增加而显著增加,阔叶凋落物质量减少和累积CO2—C释放量比针叶凋落物高,不同物种之间凋落物沥出物中溶解性有机碳（DOC）浓度变化较大,但施氮处理对DOC的影响不大。除了施氮率,施氮处理和物种对凋落物沥出物中溶解性有机氮（DON）浓度都没有显著影响。有52—78％的外加氮滞留在凋落物中,氮滞留率与凋落物质量减少呈正相关（R^2=0．91,P〈0．05）,这表明易分解凋落物覆盖的森林地面比分解较慢的凋落物覆盖的森林地面有更高的N汇潜力。图3表1参40。     

亚热带不同植被恢复林地凋落物层碳、氮、磷化学计量特征

【目的】探究不同植被恢复阶段林地凋落物层现存量及其碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量的差异,为亚热带地区退化林地的植被恢复和管理提供科学依据。【方法】采用空间代替时间的方法,在位于亚热带丘陵区的湖南省长沙县选取地域相邻、环境条件基本一致的4种处于不同植被恢复阶段林地:檵木-南烛-杜鹃灌草丛(LVR)、檵木-杉木-白栎灌木林(LCQ)、马尾松-柯(又名石栎)-檵木针阔混交林(PLL)、柯-红淡比-青冈常绿阔叶林(LAG)作为一个恢复序列,设置固定样地,按未分解层、半分解层和已分解层采集凋落物层分析样品,测定凋落物层现存量以及不同分解层凋落物C、N、P含量及其化学计量比。【结果】1)凋落物层及其各分解层凋落物的现存量总体上随着植被恢复而增加,同一林地不同分解层表现为:已分解层>半分解层>未分解层,不同分解层之间的差异随着植被恢复而增大。2)凋落物层C含量以PLL最高,LCQ最低,而N、P含量总体上随着植被恢复而增高;C、N、P含量随着凋落物的分解而下降。3)无论是整个凋落物层C储量还是各分解层凋落物C储量,均以PLL最高,其次是LAG,LVR最低,而N、P储量随着植被恢复而增高。4)整个凋落物层以及各分解层凋落物的C/N比值均表现为:PLL>LVR>LCQ>LAG,而C/P、N/P比值总体上随着植被恢复呈下降趋势;C/N、C/P、N/P比值基本上随着凋落物的分解而下降。【结论】随着植被恢复,凋落物层现存量及其N、P含量增加,C/N、C/P、N/P比值下降,体现了生态系统物质循环随着植被恢复逐渐优化。     

氮、硫沉降下凋落物分解失重规律

采用二次正交回归旋转设计,分析了邓恩桉人工林幼龄林凋落物分解失重率与N、S沉降之间的数量关系,并建立了失重率与N、S两因素的回归模型.结果表明:S沉降在编码范围[-1.414,1414]内促进凋落物分解,N沉降在低水平[-1414,0]促进凋落物分解,而在N沉降增加到编码值0水平后[0,1.414]抑制凋落物的分解,S沉降对凋落物失重率增加的影响比N沉降大;硫x1∈[-0.5,1.414]与氮x2∈[-1,1.414]编码范围内,x1与x2相互增效.     

模拟酸雨对大兴安岭3个树种凋落叶分解速率和溶解有机碳的影响

利用室内分解袋法研究模拟酸雨对大兴安岭根河地区白桦Betula platyphylla,杜香Ledum palustre,兴安杜鹃Rhododendron dauricum凋落叶分解速率及分解释放溶解有机碳的影响,分别设置pH3.5,5.0和7.0三个梯度。结果表明,分解过程中3个树种凋落叶在pH 3.5的质量损失最少,其次是pH 5.0和7.0;不同树种对酸雨胁迫的影响具有一定的差异;3个树种凋落叶的失重率为:杜香白桦兴安杜鹃;3个树种凋落叶的失重率和分解速率均与凋落叶初始C浓度、木质素浓度、C/N比和木质素/N呈显著负相关,与N,P和纤维素浓度呈显著正相关;3个树种凋落叶分解释放溶解有机碳都是先增加后减少,后趋于动态平衡减少状态。     

Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ips typographus</Emphasis> (L.) damage on litter quality and decomposition rates of Oriental Spruce [<Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea Orientalis</Emphasis> (L.) Link.] in Hatila Valley National Park,Turkey

This study investigated the effects of Ips typographus (L.) damage on initial litter quality parameters and subsequent decomposition rates of oriental spruce tree species [Picea orientalis (L.) Link]. The needle litter was collected from highly damaged, moderately damaged and control stands on two aspects (north and south) and two slope position (top and bottom) on each aspect. The litter was analyzed for initial total carbon, lignin and nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and manganese) concentrations. The variability in nitrogen and calcium concentrations and ratios of C:N, lignin:N and lignin:Ca was significantly affected by the insect damaged levels. While nitrogen concentrations in needle litter increased with increasing insect damage (and consequently the ratios of C:N and lignin:N decreased), calcium concentrations decreased (and consequently the ratio of lignin:Ca increased). Aspect and slope positions explained most of the variability in carbon, lignin, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and manganese concentrations and lignin:P ratio between all studied stands. Litter decomposition was studied in the field using the litterbag technique. The litter from highly damaged stands showed highest decomposition rates followed by moderately damaged and control stands. The mass loss rates were significantly positively correlated with initial nitrogen concentration and negatively with C:N and lignin:N ratios. The effects of microclimate resulting from canopy damage on litter decomposition was also examined at the same time using standard litter with the same litter quality parameters, but they showed no significant differences among the insect damage levels indicating that alteration of the litter quality parameters produced by I. typographus damage played a more important role than altered microclimate in controlling needle litter decomposition rates. However, changes in microclimate factors due to topography influenced decomposition rates.     

Effects of elevated concentrations of atmospheric CO2 and tropospheric O3 on leaf litter production and chemistry in trembling aspen and paper birch communities

Human activities are increasing the concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide ([CO2]) and tropospheric ozone ([O3]), potentially leading to changes in the quantity and chemical quality of leaf litter inputs to forest soils. Because the quality and quantity of labile and recalcitrant carbon (C) compounds influence forest productivity through changes in soil organic matter content, characterizing changes in leaf litter in response to environmental change is critical to understanding the effects of global change on forests. We assessed the independent and combined effects of elevated [CO2] and elevated [O3] on foliar litter production and chemistry in aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and birch-(Betula papyrifera Marsh.) aspen communities at the Aspen free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiment in Rhinelander, WI. Litter was analyzed for concentrations of C, nitrogen (N), soluble sugars, lipids, lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose and C-based defensive compounds (soluble phenolics and condensed tannins). Concentrations of these chemical compounds in naturally senesced litter were similar in aspen and birch-aspen communities among treatments, except for N, the C:N ratio and lipids. Elevated [CO2] significantly increased C:N (+8.7%), lowered mean litter N concentration (-10.7%) but had no effect on the concentrations of soluble sugars, soluble phenolics and condensed tannins. Elevated [CO2] significantly increased litter biomass production (+33.3%), resulting in significant increases in fluxes of N, soluble sugars, soluble phenolics and condensed tannins to the soil. Elevated [O3] significantly increased litter concentrations of soluble sugars (+78.1%), soluble phenolics (+53.1%) and condensed tannins (+77.2%). There were no significant effects of elevated [CO2] or elevated [O3] on the concentrations of individual C structural carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin). Elevated [CO2] significantly increased cellulose (+37.4%) input to soil, whereas elevated [O3] significantly reduced hemicellulose and lignin inputs to soil (-22.3 and -31.5%, respectively). The small changes in litter chemistry in response to elevated [CO2] and tropospheric [O3] that we observed, combined with changes in litter biomass production, could significantly alter the inputs of N, soluble sugars, condensed tannins, soluble phenolics, cellulose and lignin to forest soils in the future.     

Separating effects of changes in atmospheric composition,climate and land-use on carbon sequestration of U.S. Mid-Atlantic temperate forests

Terrestrial carbon dynamics have been vastly modified because of changes in atmospheric composition, climate, and land-use. However, few studies provide a complete analysis of the factors and interactions that affect carbon dynamics over a large landscape. This study examines how changes in atmospheric composition (CO₂, O₃ and N deposition), climate and land-use affected carbon dynamics and sequestration in Mid-Atlantic temperate forests during the 20th century. We modified and applied the PnET-CN model, a well established process-based ecosystem model with a strong foundation of ecosystem knowledge from experimental studies. We validated the model results using the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data. Our results suggest that chronic changes in atmospheric chemistry over the past century markedly affected carbon dynamics and sequestration in Mid-Atlantic temperate forests, while climate change only had a minor impact although inter-annual climatic variability had a far more substantial effect. The NPP response to a century of chronic change in atmospheric composition at the regional scale was an increase of 29%, of which, 14% was from elevated CO₂, 17% from N deposition, 6% from the interaction between CO₂ and N deposition, and minus 8% from tropospheric ozone. Climate change increased NPP by only 4%. Disturbed forests had 6% lower NPP than undisturbed forests after seven decades. Regrowing forests after harvesting and natural disturbances had much greater capacity for sequestering carbon than undisturbed old-growth forests even though the newer forests had slightly lower net primary production (NPP). The modeling results indicated that N deposition was a stronger force than elevated CO₂ for increasing NPP and fast turnover tissues, while elevated CO₂ favored more sustainable carbon storage and sequestration. The model results are consistent with various experiments and observations and demonstrate a powerful approach to integrate and expand our knowledge of complex interactive effects of multiple environmental changes on forest carbon dynamics.     

Nutrient dynamics of foliar litter in reciprocal decomposition in tropical and subtropical forests

In order to explore the release of nutrients and the effects of global warming on the decomposition rate of forest litter, an experiment is designed to reciprocally decompose forest foliar litter in two sites across climatic zones: Mt. Jianfengling in Hainan Province in the tropics and Mt. Dinghushan in Guangdong Province in the subtropics. The two sites have similar altitudes, soil types, annual mean rainfall and seasonality of dry and wet. The main difference between these two sites is the annual mean temperature with the difference of 3.7°C. Foliar litters of 10 native dominant tree species have been collected respectively from the two sites and divided into single-species litter and mixed litter. They are decomposed reciprocally in the two sites. The results indicate that litter decomposes in the tropical site 1.36–3.06 times more rapidly than in the subtropical site. Apparent Q ₁₀, calculated on the basis of the temperature difference between the two sites, ranges from 3.7 to 7.5. The return amount of N, P and C will increase by 32.42, 1.033 and 741.1 kg/hm², respectively in Mt. Dinghushan in the first year’s litter decomposition under the prevailing temperature condition. Only in Mt. Dinghushan is the correlation between decomposition rate constant and initial litter quality high and significant in the ratio of lignin to N, lignin, the ratio of lignin to P, HLQ and C. This is not the case at Mt. Jianfengling. __________ Translated from Journal of Beijing Forestry University, 2005, 27(1): 24–32 [译自: 北京林业大学学报, 2005, 27(1): 24–32]     

Indicators of nitrogen conservation in Austrocedrus chilensis forests along a moisture gradient in Argentina

Plant nitrogen conservation which may affect, for instance, rates of litter decomposition, soil N mineralization and N availability is thought to vary along gradients of soil fertility. Since Austrocedrus chilensis is adapted to a wide moisture gradient, we hypothesed that different intensities of N conservation would be found depending on site characteristics. We studied four sites along a moisture gradient in the Andean–Patagonian Region of Argentina, representative of the three A. chilensis forest-types (marginal, compact and mixed forests), and measured the following indicators of N conservation: (i) carbon, nitrogen and C/N ratio in young, mature and senescent leaves, total soil litter and soil; (ii) lignin concentration and lignin/N ratio in senescent leaves and total litter, and (iii) potential soil N mineralization during a 16-week incubation. A. chilensis showed a strong capacity to conserve N: (i) low N concentration in both young and mature leaves (10 and 6.5 g kg⁻¹, respectively); (ii) high N resorption proficiency (5.1 g N kg⁻¹ in senescent leaves) and N use efficiency (200), and (iii) high values of C/N, lignin and lignin/N in senescent leaves (107, 250 g kg⁻¹ and 50, respectively), and total litter (36, 420 g kg⁻¹ and 33, respectively). Some indicators (resorption proficiency, C/N in senescent leaves and lignin/N in total litter) were independent of site characteristics, while others (N and C/N in green leaves and lignin in litter) showed significant differences, suggesting a higher capacity to conserve N in the intermediate sites of the gradient (compact forests). Contrary to expectations, the marginal forest (drier, less fertile soils) showed the lowest values of lignin in litter, the highest N concentrations in green leaves and the highest rates of potential N mineralization.     

Elevated atmospheric CO2 and humidity delay leaf fall in Betula pendula,but not in Alnus glutinosa or Populus tremula × tremuloides

Context

Anthropogenic activity has increased the level of atmospheric CO₂, which is driving an increase of global temperatures and associated changes in precipitation patterns. At Northern latitudes, one of the likely consequences of global warming is increased precipitation and air humidity.

Aims

In this work, the effects of both elevated atmospheric CO₂ and increased air humidity on trees commonly growing in northern European forests were assessed.

Methods

The work was carried out under field conditions by using Free Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) and Free Air Humidity Manipulation (FAHM) systems. Leaf litter fall was measured over 4 years (FACE) or 5 years (FAHM) to determine the effects of FACE and FAHM on leaf phenology.

Results

Increasing air humidity delayed leaf litter fall in Betula pendula, but not in Populus tremula?×?tremuloides. Similarly, under elevated atmospheric CO₂, leaf litter fall was delayed in B. pendula, but not in Alnus glutinosa. Increased CO₂ appeared to interact with periods of low precipitation in summer and high ozone levels during these periods to effect leaf fall.

Conclusions

This work shows that increased CO₂ and humidity delay leaf fall, but this effect is species-specific.     

Thinning intensity affects microbial functional diversity and enzymatic activities associated with litter decomposition in a Chinese fir plantation

Microbial functional diversity and enzymatic activities are critical to maintaining material circulation during litter decomposition in forests. Thinning, an important and widely used silvicultural treatment, changes the microclimate and promotes forest renewal. However, how thinning affects microbial functional diversity and enzymatic activities during litter decomposition remains poorly understood. We conducted thinning treatments in a Chinese fir plantation in a subtropical region of China with four levels of tree stem removal (0, 30, 50, and 70%), each with three replicates, and the effects of thinning on microbial functional diversity and enzymatic activities were studied 7 years after treatment by collecting litter samples four times over a 1-year period. Microbial functional diversity and enzymatic activities were analyzed using Biolog Ecoplates (Biolog Inc., Hayward, CA, USA) based on the utilization of 31 carbon substrates. Total microbial abundance during litter decomposition was lower after the thinning treatments than without thinning. Microbial functional diversity did not differ significantly during litter decomposition, but the types of microbial carbon-source utilization did differ significantly with the thinning treatments. Microbial cellulase and invertase activities during litter decomposition were significantly higher under the thinning treatments due to changes in the litter carbon concentration and the ratios of carbon and lignin to nitrogen. The present study demonstrated the important influence of thinning on microbial activities during litter decomposition. Moderate-intensity thinning may maximize vegetation diversity and, in turn, increase the available substrate sources for microbial organisms in litter and promote nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.     

滇中高原森林凋落物不同分解阶段C、N、P的化学计量特征及种间差异

【目的】为了解滇中高原磨盘山典型森林凋落物在不同分解阶段的化学计量特征,揭示滇中高原森林不同分解阶段凋落物的质量特征,为更好地促进滇中高原森林生态系统的凋落物分解进程和养分循环提供理论依据。【方法】以滇中高原的华山松Pinus armandii林、云南松Pinus yunnanensis林、高山栎Quercus semecarpifolia林、滇油杉Keteleeria evelyniana林、常绿阔叶林5种林地为试验区,人为地将自然状态下的森林凋落物分为未分解层、半分解层、已分解层,用以模拟凋落物的不同分解阶段,对不同分解层凋落物的碳氮磷(C、N、P)含量、化学计量比及元素释放率进行分析。【结果】1)随着凋落物分解程度的加剧,5种森林凋落物的C含量不断减少,P、N含量大体呈增加趋势,其中云南松林及华山松林的N含量呈先增加后减少的趋势,常绿阔叶林P含量为先减少后增加,且C、N、P含量在同一分解层中不同森林之间差异显著;2)5种森林凋落物的C∶N、C∶P随着凋落物分解程度的不断降低,云南松林的二者比值最高,N∶P在云南松林、华山松林和常绿阔叶林中先升高后降低,在高山栎林中先降低后升高,在滇油杉林中逐渐降低,且滇中高原森林凋落物C∶P和N∶P均显著小于全球平均水平;3)森林凋落物中C、N、P的总释放率均为滇油杉林>华山松林>高山栎林>云南松林>常绿阔叶林,常绿阔叶林前期元素释放效率快,后期减弱,华山松林和云南松林则相反,滇中磨盘山5种森林凋落物的化学元素易富集难释放。【结论】根据碳、氮、磷的化学计量特征表明,森林种间差异及不同的分解阶段会显著影响凋落物分解过程中的碳氮磷含量、化学计量比及其释放效率。     

Decomposition of Mongolian pine litter in the presence of understory species in semi-arid northeast China

The effects of understory plant litter on dominant tree litter decomposition are not well documented especially in semi-arid forests. In this study, we used a microcosm experiment to examine the effects of two understory species (Artemisia scoparia and Setaria viridis) litter on the mass loss and N release of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) litter in Keerqin Sandy Lands, northeast China, and identified the influencing mechanism from the chemical quality of decomposing litter. Four litter combinations were set up: one monoculture of Mongolian pine and three mixtures of Mongolian pine and one or two understory species in equal mass proportions of each species. Total C, total N, lignin, cellulose and polyphenol concentrations, and mass loss of pine litter were analyzed at days 84 and 182 of incubation. The chemistry of pine litter not only changed with the stages of decomposition, but was also strongly influenced by the presence of understory species during decomposition. Both understory species promoted mass loss of pine litter at 84 days, while only the simultaneous presence of two understory species promoted mass loss of pine litter at 182 days. Mass loss of pine litter was negatively correlated with initial ratios of C/N, lignin/N and polyphenol/N of litter combinations during the entire incubation period; at 182 days it was negatively correlated with polyphenol concentration and ratios of C/N and polyphenol/N of litter combinations at 84 days of incubation. Nitrogen release of pine litter was promoted in the presence of understory species. Nitrogen release at 84 days was negatively correlated with initial N concentration; at 182 days it was negatively correlated with initial polyphenol concentration of litter combinations and positively correlated with lignin concentration of litter combinations at 84 days of incubation. Our results suggest that the presence of understory species causes substantial changes in chemical components of pine litter that can exert strong influences on subsequent decomposition of pine litter.