Decomposition of fine roots of Pinus kesiya and turnover of organic matter, N and P of coarse and fine pine roots and herbaceous roots and rhizomes in subtropical pine forest stands of different ages

Organic matter accumulation, N and P concentrations of fine (<2 mm diameter) and coarse (2-10 mm) roots of Pinus kesiya and fine roots and rhizomes of ground vegetation, and decomposition of P. kesiya fine roots (<2 mm diameter) were studied in 6-, 15- and 23-year-old P. kesiya forest stands at Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, India. The mean annual dry weight of P. kesiya fine roots did not vary significantly between the stands, but the coarse root mass increased significantly from the 6- to 23-year-old stand. However, herbaceous fine roots and rhizomes showed a reverse trend. Live roots (biomass) showed a higher N and P concentration than the necromass (dead root mass). Nutrient concentrations were greater in the fine roots compared to coarse roots. N and P accumulation was maximum in the 6-year-old stand and minimum in the 15-year-old stand. P. kesiya fine roots decomposed in a three-phased manner in all the stands. The first phase, lasting about 30 days, was characterised by a slow rate of weight loss. This was followed by a rapid phase of weight loss up to 90 days, with an average weight loss of 7.7 mg day^-1, and the third phase showed a slow decay pattern (1.2 mg day^-1). The weight loss pattern showed a strong seasonal trend; a faster rate of decay in the warm-humid period and a slow rate of decay in the dry-cold period. Nitrogen and P concentration in the decomposing root litter showed a marked decrease and/or increase during decomposition. The study reveals that in the 6-year-old pine stand the roots of herbaceous plants play a more significant role in maintaining the organic matter, N and P status of the soil, while in the older stands pine roots assumed greater significance.     

Analytical pyrolysis of a soil profile under Scots pine

The chemical properties of pine needle litter cause slow decomposition, which results in an accumulation of highly lignocellulosic material on the forest floor. Decomposition of organic matter is important for the nutrient turnover in pine forests on nutrient-poor soils. We studied the biodegradation of needles in an organic layer focusing on the various stages of lignin degradation by fungi. Samples were obtained from pine needle litter and a stratified organic layer over nutrient-poor sand under a 60-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris forest stand. Pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) and pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (PyGCMS) were used to characterize the chemical composition of the needles and the soil. The pyrolysis data show that diterpenoid acids are a main component in fresh needles, but rapidly decrease in the organic layer of the soil, as a result of decomposition. The chemical composition of the soil profile is dominated by guaiacyl lignin and polysaccharides from needle litter. The hexose/pentose ratio increases with depth in the soil profile. The partial preservation of hexose polymers is the result of the preferential decomposition of pentose polymers by white-rot fungi, and points to the input of microbially synthesized polysaccharides. Indications for the degradation of guaiacyl lignin are also found in the soil profile. Oxidative reactions by soil fungi result in a shortening of the side chain of the guaiacyl lignin derivatives and an increase of carbonyl and carboxyl groups. These degradational patterns of lignin in the soil profile under Scots pine are similar to those observed in lignin model compounds and wood lignin degraded by fungi under controlled laboratory conditions.     

Changes in the lignin fraction of spruce and pine needle litter during decomposition as studied by some chemical methods

Changes in the lignin fraction of spruce and pine needle litter were followed by four different methods: Klason lignin, phloroglucinol lignin, dioxane-water-HCl-lignin and alkaline CuO oxidation. The decomposition patterns of the lignins studied were different, the largest differences between the methods being obtained for the spruce needles. Depending on the method used, between 36 and 46% of the original amount of lignin remained in the pine needles and about 30–61% in the spruce needles after 3 yr of decomposition. The decomposition rates of the various lignin pools were highly correlated with the loss in mass of the litter. The phloroglucinol lignin was decomposed significantly faster (P < 0.001) in the spruce needles than in the pine needles for as long as the decomposition process was followed. During decomposition of the litter, the residual amount of Klason lignin was correlated with the residual amounts of the other lignins. The application of the different methods to litter decomposition studies is discussed.     

Fine root decomposition,nutrient mobilization and fungal communities in a pine forest ecosystem

Despite its importance to energy flow and nutrient cycling the process of fine root decomposition has received comparatively little detailed research. Disruption of the fine root-soil interface during preparation of root litterbags for decomposition studies could affect decay rates and nutrient mobilization in part by altering the community of decay organisms. We compared rates of decomposition and nutrient release from fine roots of pine between litterbags and intact cores and characterized the fungal community in the decomposing roots. Fine root decomposition was about twice as fast overall for intact cores than litterbags, and rapid mobilization of N and P was observed for roots in cores whereas nutrients were immobilized in litterbags. Fungal communities characterized using 454 pyrosequencing were considerably different between decaying roots in intact cores and litterbags. Most interesting, taxa from ectomycorrhizal fungal orders such as Boletales, Thelephorales and Cantharellales appeared to be more common in decaying roots from cores than litterbags. Moreover, the rate of N and P mobilization from decaying fine roots was highly correlated with taxa from two orders of ectomycorrhizal fungi (Thelephorales, Cantharellales). Although we caution that DNA identified from the decaying roots cannot be conclusively ascribed to active fungi, the results provide tentative support for a significant role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in decomposition and nutrient mobilization from fine roots of pine.     

Fine root production, turnover, and decomposition in a fast-growth Eucalyptus urophylla plantation in southern China

Purpose

A rapid increase of Eucalyptus plantation area in southern China has raised widespread attention in the field of ecology and forestry. It might be argued that fast-growth Eucalyptus would increase the consumption of resources and thus cause soil degradation. Fine root dynamics could provide insight into nutrient uptake or return. This study therefore focused on fine root production, turnover, and decomposition in a subtropical Eucalyptus urophylla plantation.

Materials and methods

Sequential coring method was used to estimate fine root production and turnover rate. Root decomposition rate and root nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics were determined using the litterbag method. In this study, roots were divided into three diameter classes: <1, 1–2, and 2–3 mm. We settled litterbags with all three different root diameter classes under the forest floor (0–10 cm) in winter, spring, and summer.

Results and discussion

The total production of fine roots at diameter <2 mm was 45.4 g m^?2 year^?1, and its turnover rate was 0.58 year^?1. The roots at diameter <1 mm showed much greater production or turnover rate than those at diameter 1–2 mm. The root mass loss from litterbag across the three diameter classes (<1, 1–2, and 2–3 mm) was similar at the beginning period of 180 days, but significantly different later. The decomposition constant (k value) of roots estimated by exponential decay model decreased with increasing diameter class. In addition, the season of litterbag settlement also had effects on root mass loss. In root nutrient dynamics, the fractions of initial N immobilized increased with increasing diameter class. Root P at the three diameter classes showed a similar mineralization pattern.

Conclusions

Our studies on fine root production, turnover, and decomposition give some important insights into nutrient cycling between plant and soil in Eucalyptus plantations. Our results which show that fine roots had relatively low production and turnover rate partly explain the potential soil degradation under the short rotation systems. The variation of root dynamics among different diameter classes suggests that to accurately assess fine root roles, one should consider the effects of root diameter size.     

Lignin degradation controls the production of dissolved organic matter in decomposing foliar litter

Lignin is considered to be a crucial component controlling litter decomposition but its role in the production of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from litter is not well understood. Our main objective therefore was to examine the amounts and properties of DOM produced in decomposing litter, with special emphasis on the role of lignin degradation. We exposed litter of five different tree species (Sycamore maple, Mountain ash, European beech, Norway spruce, Scots pine) in litterbags at the soil surface of two neighbouring sites to degradation under field conditions. Litterbags were sampled eight times during 27 months of exposure in the field. We determined mass loss and characterized the lignin fraction by two different methods (van Soest procedure, acid‐detergent lignin: ADL, CuO oxidation). Litter was irrigated in the laboratory and leachates were analysed for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and characterized by UV and fluorescence spectroscopy. Litter decomposition followed a two‐stage model characterized by initially rapid and then decreasing degradation with time. In the initial phase of litter decomposition, leached amounts of DOM decreased with time and no effects of lignin degradation were found. The contents of ADL in the litter residues and CuO oxidation products suggest larger degradation and oxidation of lignin in beech, spruce and pine litter than in maple and ash litter. The production of DOM from litter with larger lignin degradation increased in the second phase of decomposition, when mass loss exceeded 10–20%. In contrast, DOM produced from litter showing weak lignin degradation (maple, ash) did not increase further in the second phase of decomposition. In the leachates of litter with large lignin degradation (beech, spruce, pine), UV absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated a larger increase in the contribution of lignin‐derived compounds to DOM with increasing mass loss than for litter species with relatively stable lignin. We conclude that degradation of lignin is an important control on DOM production during the second phase of litter decomposition.     

Scots pine litter decomposition along drainage succession and soil nutrient gradients in peatland forests, and the effects of inter-annual weather variation

Peatlands form a large carbon (C) pool but their C sink is labile and susceptible to changes in climate and land-use. Some pristine peatlands are forested, and others have the potential: the amount of arboreal vegetation is likely to increase if soil water levels are lowered as a consequence of climate change. On those sites tree litter dynamics may be crucial for the C balance. We studied the decomposition of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) needle and root litter in boreal peatland sites representing gradients in drainage succession (succession following water level drawdown caused by forest drainage) and soil nutrient level during several years of varying weather conditions. Neither gradient had an unambiguous effect on litter mass loss. Mass loss over 2 years was faster in undrained versus drained sites for both needle litter, incubated in the moss layer, and fine root litter, incubated in 0-10 cm peat layer, suggesting moisture stress in the surface layers of the drained sites limited decomposition. Differences among the drained sites were not consistent. Among years, mass loss correlated positively with precipitation variables, and mostly negatively or not at all with temperature sum. We concluded that a long-term water level drawdown in peatlands does not necessarily enhance decay of fresh organic matter. Instead, the drained site may turn into a ‘large hummock-system’ where several factors, including litter quality, relative moisture deficiency, higher acidity, lower substrate temperature, and in deeper layers also oxygen deficiency, may interact to constrain organic matter decomposition. Further, the decomposition rates may not vary systematically among sites of different soil nutrient levels following water level drawdown. Our results emphasize the importance of annual weather variations on decomposition rates, and demonstrate that single-period incubation studies incorporate an indeterminable amount of temporal variation.     

Decomposition of black locust and black pine leaf litter in two coeval forest stands on Mount Vesuvius and dynamics of organic components assessed through proximate analysis and NMR spectroscopy

Litter quality is an important determinant of soil organic matter formation. Changes of organic components were investigated along decomposition of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) leaf litter and black pine (Pinus nigra Arn.) needle litter in the native adjacent coeval forest stands. To this purpose, data from proximate analyses were compared with those from CPMAS ¹³C NMR. Newly shed leaf litter of black locust had significantly higher concentrations of ADSS (acid detergent soluble substances) as well as lower concentrations of cellulose and AUR (acid unhydrolyzable residues that include lignin) and higher AUR-to-Cellulose ratio than that of black pine. The ¹³C CPMAS NMR spectra of newly shed leaf litter of black locust and black pine revealed that O-Alkyl-C components (including cellulose and hemicelluloses) accounted, respectively, for 53.8% and 61.4% of the total area of the spectra. All other C fractions were relatively more abundant in black locust than in black pine. Within individual sampling periods, relationships between residual litter mass and concentrations of ADSS, cellulose and AUR were examined, as were relationships between residual litter C and NMR fractions. Four periods were defined based on the slopes of the decomposition curve, with the length of period I defined by the start of a net decrease of AUR. Proximate analyses and NMR data showed changes in chemical composition over the decomposition process, as well as changes in decay rates of the residues, following different paths in the two litters. ADSS decayed faster in black locust litter; in contrast cellulose and AUR decayed faster in that of black pine. AUR concentration increased in both litters during decomposition; however, compared to black pine, the remaining litter of black locust was richer in AUR, despite the lower initial concentration, and had a higher AUR-to-Cellulose ratio. Phenol-C and Aryl-C decayed faster in black locust litter, while Alkyl-C decayed faster in that of black pine. In both litters, mass loss in periods was negatively correlated to concentration of AUR at the start of the periods. C loss in periods was negatively correlated to the concentration at the start of the periods of MC-to-PC (an index of lignin content) in black locust litter and positively correlated to Alkyl-C and O-Alkyl-C in that of black pine. Phenol-C, O-Alkyl-C and Aryl-C were the most decomposable C fractions in black locust. O-Alkyl-C and Alkyl-C were the most decomposable C fractions in black pine. Limit value was lower in black pine than in black locust. Consequently the different pattern of litter decomposition can affect the size of C sequestration in the forest floor and the quality of accumulated organic carbon.     

华北典型植被根系抗拉力学特性及其与主要化学成分关系

为了解植被根系化学成分对根系力学性能的影响,该研究对华北地区常见的2种针叶树油松（Pinus tabulaeformis Carr.）和华北落叶松（Larix principis-rupprechtii Mayr.）以及3种阔叶树白桦（Betula platyphylla Suk.）、蒙古栎（Quercus mongolicus Fisch. ex Ledeb）和榆树（Ulmus pumila Linn.）5种树直径为0.75～7.65mm,共473根系进行了单根抗拉试验,并将拉伸后的根系按7个直径级归类后测定其纤维素含量、木质素含量、半纤维素含量及综纤维素含量。结果表明,5种树根系抗拉力范围为8～954 N,抗拉强度范围为6～53 MPa。不同树种间抗拉力、抗拉强度差异显著,从大到小依次为榆树＞白桦＞蒙古栎＞油松＞华北落叶松。抗拉力随直径增大以幂函数增大;抗拉强度随直径减小以幂函数和逆函数减小。根系的极限延伸率范围为6.95%～15.50%,不同树种间差异显著。5种树7个径级根系纤维素质量分数范围为20.09%～37.67%,木质素质量分数范围为18.03%～41.67%,半纤维素质量分数范围为1.29%～14.90%,综纤维素质量分数范围为26.20%～52.09%,木质素与纤维素质量分数比值（简称木纤比）为0.53～1.81。根系抗拉力与纤维素含量、半纤维含量、综纤维素含量正相关,与木质素含量、木纤比负相关;根系抗拉强度与纤维素含量、半纤维含量、综纤维素含量负相关,与木质素含量、木纤比正相关。但对于不同的树种,显著影响抗拉力、抗拉强度的化学成分不同。因此,根系中某一化学成分含量的变化并不能完全解释根系力学性能与直径的尺寸效应,或许根系其他内在因素如显微结构等也有着重要的贡献。     

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.     

Dominant effects of litter substrate quality on the difference between leaf and root decomposition process above- and belowground

Initial decomposition rates, changes in organic chemical components (acid-insoluble fraction, holocellulose, polyphenols, soluble carbohydrates) and nutrient dynamics (K, Mg, Ca, P, N) were examined for fine roots and leaves of Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). Litterbag experiments designed to evaluate the relative effects of litter type and position of litter supply in the soil were carried out, considering that root and leaf litter typically occupy different locations and have different substrate qualities. Litterbags of roots and leaves were placed at two positions (on the soil surface and in the humus layer), and collected every 3 months over one year. The mass loss rate and N release were slower during root decomposition in the humus layer than during leaf decomposition on the soil surface. These differences between root and leaf decomposition were mainly caused by the litter type, and the effect of the position on decomposition was relatively small. Root litter was less influenced by position related effects, such as differences in humidity, than leaf litter, and this recalcitrant trait to environmental effects may be responsible for the slower mass loss rate and N release in root decomposition. The results of the present study suggest that fine roots are persistent in the soil and serve an important role in N retention in forest ecosystems because of their litter substrate quality.     

Effects of fungal inocula on the decomposition of lignin and structural polysaccharides in Pinus sylvestris litter

 Litter bags containing sterile Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles (19.8% lignin, 26.5% cellulose and 0.34% N) were inoculated with two species of fungi in the laboratory and then placed in the litter layer of a pine plantation. Marasmius androsaceus, which can degrade lignocellulose, was initially displaced by other fungal colonisers and was not detected in the litter after 2–3 months; but was re-isolated from the needles after 12 months. Trichoderma viride, which is a cellulolytic species and also antagonistic to other fungi, dominated the litter throughout the experiment. The control litter was naturally colonised by litter fungi. After 12 months, mass losses were similar at 52% for M. androsaceus and 48% for T. viride, compared with 36% for the control litter colonised by a more complex fungal community. Lignin concentrations increased with time in control litter and with T. viride because mass losses of carbohydrates were greater than those of lignin. Litter inoculated with M. androsaceus showed significant lignin decomposition throughout the experiment but cellulose concentrations showed a proportional increase in the first 6 months, suggesting that the fungus was preferentially exploiting hemicellulose and non-structural carbohydrates. Analysis of TFA-extractable sugars (mainly from hemicellulose) and CuO-derived phenylpropanoid moieties from lignin confirmed the differential patterns of resource decomposition which were not evident from total mass losses. During the initial stages of decomposition, T. viride was as effective in utilising structural polysaccharides as the complex fungal community in the control litter. Furthermore, M. androsaceus not only exhibited unexpectedly low cellulolytic activity but also facilitated lignin depolymerisation after the fungus was no longer detectable in the litter. The pre-inoculation of litter with these two fungal species therefore affected the overall dynamics of decomposition at a biochemical level. This study illustrates the importance of understanding the effects and interactions of specific fungi, rather than assumptions about the functional competence of diverse communities, on the processes of litter decomposition. Received: 5 July 2000     

Effects of tree species and topography on soil chemistry, litter quality, and decomposition in Northeast Turkey

Leaf litters from beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky.) and oak (Quercus robur L.), and needle litters from fir (Abies nordmanniana Spach.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees were collected from north-facing site and south-facing site and at three slope positions (top, middle and bottom) on each aspect that varied in soil chemical characteristics (soil pH, cation exchange capacity and base saturation). The litters were analysed for initial total carbon, nitrogen, acid detergent fibre, lignin and cellulose concentrations. Nitrogen, acid detergent fibre and lignin concentrations and carbon:nitrogen and lignin:nitrogen ratios varied significantly within and between species according to soil chemical characteristics on aspects and slope positions. Litter decomposition was studied in the field using the litterbag technique. The litters were placed on two aspects and at three slopes on each aspect in October 2001, and were sampled every 6-month for 2 years. The main effects of aspect, species and slope position on decomposition rates were all statistically significant. Oak leaf litter showed highest decomposition rates, followed by pine, fir and beech litter, and the litters placed on north-facing site decomposed faster than those on the south-facing site. The litters placed at the top slope position decomposed slower than at those at either the bottom or middle positions. Initial lignin concentrations explained most of the variation in decomposition rates between species, and within species for the aspects and the slope positions, but the explained variance showed differences between aspects and slope positions. This result illustrates the important point that litter quality may define the potential rates of microbial decomposition but these are significantly influenced by the biotic and abiotic environment in which decomposition takes place.     

Leaf decomposition in two semi-evergreen tropical forests: influence of litter quality

Decomposition processes in tropical semi-evergreen forests are still poorly understood. The influence of soil properties and litter quality on decomposition rate was studied in two semi-evergreen forests of Guadeloupe, a forest plantation and a secondary forest, located on different soils. Leaf litter of four tree species was enclosed in litterbags for a 14-month period. Non-linear correlations were calculated between mass loss and the concentration of major leaf components (soluble C, N, lignin, cellulose, tannins, total soluble phenols) in order to determine the best predictor of leaf litter decomposition. Soil physico-chemical properties and ratios between some of the above-mentioned litter quality parameters were also examined as mass loss predictors. In addition, non-linear correlations were calculated between mass loss and litter quality parameters, at successive periods. Litter quality was the main determinant of litter decomposition in the studied forests. Several litter quality parameters were correlated with leaf disappearance, varying according to stages of decomposition. Between 1 month and 2.5 months, the mass loss was correlated negatively with the initial phenol content and with initial lignin:N and (lignin+phenol):N ratios. From 2.5 to 5.5 months, the mass loss was correlated negatively with the initial phenol content and positively with the initial cellulose content. At later stages of decomposition (9-14 months), the mass loss was correlated negatively with the initial tannin content. Differences in soil characteristics and fauna did not seem to be enough to affect decomposition.     

Reduction of decomposition rates of scots pine needle litter due to heavy-metal pollution

Decomposition of unpolluted Scots pine needle litter was studied in two heavy-metal-pollution gradients in Sweden; one near a brass mill and the other around a primary smelter. In the latter area locally collected polluted Scots pine needle litter was also incubated. Decomposition rates were strongly influenced by the metal pollution and a decrease in the rate of mass-loss occurred. In the brass-mill gradient this occurred until about 1 km from the pollution source which corresponded to about 500 µg Cu and 1 000 µg Zn g^?1 soil. Data are presented to indicate that lignin decomposition was more sensitive to pollution than decomposition of whole litter and affected further away from the pollution sources. At the smelter sites, the metal-polluted needle litter decomposed more slowly than the unpolluted needle litter, and this difference was enhanced close to the smelter. The results indicate that heavy metals accumulated in needles prior to shedding have a long-term impact on the subsequent decomposition of the litter. Both litter quality and soil factors thus contribute to the reduced litter decomposition rate in metal-polluted forests. A new non-linear model with decreasing decay rate was used in the statistical evaluation. The model can be used to characterize the effects of pollution on decomposition rate.     

Succession of collembolan communities during decomposition of leaf and root litter: Effects of litter type and position

Little is known about the collembolan community involved in the decomposition of fine root (≤2.0 mm in diameter) litter, which is largely different from leaves in both litter quality and position. The collembolan communities involved in root and leaf litter decomposition were compared in a litterbag experiment in a coniferous forest of Chamaecyparis obtusa. A two-factor experiment (litter type × litter position) was conducted to evaluate the relative effects of litter quality and position. Litterbags of roots and leaves were each placed at two positions (on the soil surface and in the soil), and were collected at seven different times over three years. Abundance and biomass of Collembola involved in root decomposition in the soil were higher than those involved in leaf decomposition on the soil surface, and the collembolan community composition largely differed between these two types of litterbag. Differences between root and leaf decomposition were mainly caused by litter position, but effects of litter type were also detected at species-level. Species that preferred roots were abundant at an early stage of litter decomposition in the soil. Because the early stage of decomposition in the soil is naturally achieved only by root litter initially deposited in the soil, root litter may function as an essential resource for certain species. The results of this study indicate that root litter contributes to collembolan community organization as a spatially and qualitatively different resource than leaf litter. This also suggests that root litter is decomposed via different soil faunal processes than leaf litter.     

Stability of needle‐ and root‐derived biomarkers during litter decomposition

Background and aims: Plant‐derived, ester‐bound substituted fatty acids have been used for decades as biomarkers to identify input of plant materials in sediments and soils. However, the long‐term decomposition patterns of these biomarker compounds under natural conditions are not well understood, although this is a basic prerequisite for quantitative biomarker applications. Methods: For this study, we analyzed the decomposition patterns of root‐ and needle‐specific compounds of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) in a litterbag study conducted over 3 years. Samples were analyzed by methanolic KOH extraction with previous removal of free extractable lipids. Results: The concentrations of most detectable compounds had decreased after three years of incubation. The observed changes of concentrations followed a non‐linear path and cannot be explained by microbial uptake and metabolism alone. Other factors controlling the breakdown of ester‐bound lipids, like lipid oxidation must play a role. Between similar plant parts and different plant parts of the same species, the observed degradation patterns were heterogeneous. The estimated ratio of remaining root and needle biomass that may arise with the choice of a particular biomarker varies in this study between 0.6 and 40 times after three years. Conclusion: This range of variation does not allow reliable conclusions about the contribution of roots and needles to decomposed organic matter based on biomarkers ratios.     

Changes in chemical composition of Pinus sylvestris needle litter during decomposition along a European coniferous forest climatic transect

The objective of this investigation was to assess the changes in chemical composition (lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses, non-structural compounds, N, and ash) of decomposing litter. Standard Pinus sylvestris needle litter, originating from southern Sweden, was incubated in litterbags at 15 sites selected from the Netherlands to south Spain. The changes in chemical composition of this litter were determined using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. The hypothesis was that standard (chemically uniform) litter decomposing under a range of climates would show different dynamics of accumulation and loss of C-fractions, N, and ash, relative to mass loss. It was shown that, for a given mass-loss value (10, 20, 30, 40, or 50%), the proportion of lignin, cellulose, hemicelluloses, non-structural compounds, N, and ash in the decomposing pine needles differed between sites. Lignin concentration in the litter residue at 50% mass loss ranged from approximately 26 to 43%, cellulose from 19 to 27%, hemicelluloses from 7 to 11%, non-structural compounds from 19 to 25%, N from 0.7 to 1.3%, and ash content from 1.4 to 10.1%. Lignin concentrations showed the highest range of variation. Lignin concentrations during decomposition were positively related to moisture factors as significant correlations were found with actual evapotranspiration and were improved in multiple regressions by the mean annual precipitation or the water surplus. Cellulose was degraded further at sites with high precipitation whereas hemicellulose degradation was related to temperature. This leads to the conclusion that the remaining organic matter produced by standard litter decomposition within the studied climatic range of variations tended to be more recalcitrant under wet and warm climatic conditions than under cold or dry climate.     

Reaction of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal Scots pine fine roots along a deposition gradient of air pollutants in eastern Germany

Based on an ecosystematic approach within the comprehensive SANA (Regeneration of the atmosphere above the new federal states) -project the influence of industrial air pollutants (SO₂, NO_x, alkaline fly ashes) on the vitality of mycorrhizae, mycorrhizal frequency, and on parameters of root growth such as root biomass and necromass and distribution of different root classes in the soil horizons was investigated. The studies were conducted in three comparable Scots pine ecosystems in eastern Germany which were exposed to different deposition loads of air pollutants during the time of the former German Democratic Republic. Site specific differences were obtained for all parameters investigated. The reference plot Neuglobsow (background deposition) revealed the highest number of vital mycorrhizae, highest mycorrhizal frequency, and largest biomass of finest roots in the humus layer. At the impact-sites Roesa and Taura (heavy and moderate deposition) located near Halle/Bitterfeld and Leipzig, the number of vital mycorrhizae was reduced and the life-span of mycorrhizae of reduced vitality was elongated. Finest root biomass and necromass of the humus layer were also lower at these plots as compared to Neuglobsow. At Neuglobsow a higher turnover of mycorrhizae and finest roots of the humus layer is assumed. The reduced growth of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal finest roots at the two pollution impacted sites Roesa and Taura is seen as an adaptation mechanism of the root system to high nutrient inputs.     

Decomposition of leguminous crop residues in a ‘jhum’ cultivation system in Arunachal Pradesh,India

Decomposition of leaves, stems, and roots of two leguminous plants, french bean and pea, was studied in a ‘jhum’ cultivation (shifting agriculture) system in north‐eastern India in litter bag experiments. The dynamics of decomposition varied between the crop residues and species studied. All the three studied types of residues of french bean and the leaves and roots of pea showed polynomial decomposition model with three distinct phases: an initial slow decomposition phase (1), followed by a faster decomposition rate (2) and again by a slow decomposition phase (3). However, the stems of pea plants showed an exponential increase in the decomposition rate during field incubation. Initial N, lignin, and lignin : N ratio were determined in crop residues. In general, roots decomposed slowly as compared to the leaves and stems due to greater lignin content. Soil microbial activity as determined by CO₂ evolution was significantly correlated with the decomposition rates. Over all, the decay constants reveal that these fast decomposing leguminous crop residues can be properly managed for soil nutrient management in the low input shifting agricultural fields in the hills.