Litterfall,decomposition, and nitrogen release in two age groups of trees in Casuarina equisetifolia plantations in the dry tropical Vindhyan plateau,India

Litterfall, decomposition, and N release in 5-year-old and 8-year-old plantations of Casuarina equisetifolia (Forst.) in the dry tropical region of the Vindhyan plateau were studied during 1989–1990. Maximum litterfall occurred in May. The total litterfall ranged from 7.2 to 9.9t ha^-1 year^-1 in the 5-year-old stand and from 11.3 to 12.7t ha^-1 year^-1 in the 8-year-old stand over the 2-year period. Photosynthetic branchlets contributed 87–95% to the total litter. The relative decomposition rates of litter components of the ash-free mass were highest in the rainy months (4.7 to 9.9mg g^-1 day^-1) followed by winter (2.8 to 3.6 mg g^-1 day^-1) and lowest in the summer months (1.7 to 3.0 mg g^-1 day^-1). Similar patterns were observed for N release. The annual decay constant was highest for cone litter and lowest for photosynthetic branchlets. During decomposition, the photosynthetic branchlets showed N immobilization in November and April, the twig litter in March, and the roots in January and February. N release per unit area (g m^-2) was maximum from the photosynthetic branchlets (5.3–6.3) followed by cones (4.4) > roots (3.4) > twigs (2.6–3.2). The combination of the litter C:N ratio, moisture, and temperature with the relative decomposition rate in a multiple regression analysis explained 66–84% of the variability in mass loss and 58–66% of the variability in N release.     

川西3种亚高山针叶林的养分和凋落物格局分析

Investigations were conducted to quantify litterfall, and litter and nutrient accumulation in forest floor, and to acquire information on litter decomposition and nitrogen and phosphorus release patterns in three different subalpine coniferous forests, a plantation （P1）, a secondary forest （SF）, and a primitive forest （PF）, in western Sichuan, China. The litter trap method was used to evaluate litterfall with the litterbag method being utilized for litter decomposition. Seasonal patterns of litterfall were similar in the three forests, with two peaks occurring in September-November and March-May. The plantation revealed an annual litterfall of 4.38 x 103 kg ha-1, which was similar to those of SF and PF, but P1 had a lower mass loss rate and a higher C/N ratio. The C/N ratio may be a sound predictor for the decomposition differences. N concentrations of leaf litter in both the secondary forest and primitive forest increased first and then decreased, and the percentages of their final/initial values were 108.9% and 99.9%, respectively. P concentration in the three forests increased by the end of the study. The results of litterfall and decomposition indicated that in the plantation the potential to provide nutrients for soil organic matter was similar to those of SF and PF; however, its slower decomposition rate could result in a somewhat transient accumulation of litter in the forest floor.     

Impact of N and P fertilizer application on nutrient cycling in jarrah (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus marginata</Emphasis>) forests of south western Australia

Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Smith) forest grows on poor soils with low stores of plant-available nutrients. We evaluated the impact of fertilizers on nutrient cycling in soil under Jarrah forest using a field study with three rates of P (0, 50, 200 kg P ha^–1) and three rates of N (0, 100, 200 kg N ha^–1) in a full factorial design. Litterfall was significantly increased by N application (30% relative to controls) in the first 2 years after treatment and by P application in the second year. The amounts of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in litterfall were also increased significantly by both N and P fertilizer. Although fertilizer treatments did not affect the total amount of litter accumulated on the forest floor over 4–5 years after application, there were large treatment differences in the amounts of N and P stored in the forest floor. Microbial respiration in litter was significantly greater (19%) on P-treated plots relative to controls, but this increase did not translate into increased decomposition rates as measured in long-term (5-year) mesh-bag studies. The results indicate that factors other than nutrition are mainly responsible for controlling the rate of decomposition in this ecosystem. Application of P, in particular, resulted in substantial accumulation of P in forest floor litter over 5 years. This accumulation was partly a result of the deposition of P in litterfall, but was also probably a result of translocation of P from the mineral soil. During the 5-year decomposition study, there was no net release of P from leaf litter and, at the highest rate of P application, the amounts of P stored in forest floor litter were more than four-fold greater than in fresh litter. Regular fire, a common phenomenon in these ecosystems, may be an important P-mobilizing agent for enhancing plant P uptake in these forests.     

Release of sulphate-sulphur, potassium, calcium and magnesium from spent mushroom compost under field conditions

 The release of SO₄ ^2–-S, K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ from soil amended with spent mushroom compost (SMC), a byproduct of mushroom production, was measured in leachate from field lysimeters for 30 weeks. Rates of application were 0 and 80 t ha^–1 moist SMC. The SMC contained 1.7% K, 6.5% Ca, 0.4% Mg and 1.2% S (of which 87% is SO₄ ^2–-S), and has a C : S ratio of 26. The break-through curves of ion leaching were polymodal indicating the preservation of soil structure in the lysimeters and its influence on leaching. SO₄ ^2–-S release from SMC was rapid (first-order exponential) and was very similar to the release from a laboratory incubation. The release of K⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ was described using first/zero-order models which were also used to describe their release in the laboratory. The rate and amount of Ca²⁺ release was similar in the field and laboratory, but the amount of K⁺ (and to a lesser extent Mg²⁺) release was less in the field than in the laboratory. Recoveries of SMC applied nutrients in leachate were 80% of S (263 kg ha^–1), 3% of K (14 kg ha^–1), 16% of Ca (284 kg ha^–1) and 37% of Mg (40 kg ha^–1). Little if any S was mineralised. Using SMC could provide plants with S, K, Ca and Mg but there is potential for SO₄ ^2–-S losses via leaching. Received: 7 April 1999     

Poultry litter as a nitrogen and phosphorous source for the rice–wheat cropping system

Poultry litter (PL) is an important nutrient source; however, no information is available regarding its value in supplying N and P in rice–wheat (RW) production. A three-year field study was conducted at Ludhiana, Punjab, India on a loamy sand soil to identify optimum combination of PL and N and P fertilizers for a sustainable RW production. The litter was applied to rice at 5 Mg ha⁻¹ as a single application and supplemented with different rates of N. The residual effect of PL and the direct effects of the different combinations of N and P were studied in the following wheat. Nitrogen and P mineralization from PL was studied under controlled conditions in the laboratory, and macronutrient input–output balances were estimated from field results. About 46% of the N from PL was released after 60 days of incubation. The release of P from the PL occurred mainly during the initial 20 days after incubation, accounting for 15–17% of the total P. Combining PL with fertilizer N (40 kg ha⁻¹) increased rice yield and nutrient uptake similar to what was obtained with the application of recommended fertilizer N (120 kg ha⁻¹). In the following wheat, the residual effect of PL was equal to 30 kg N ha⁻¹ and 13 kg P ha⁻¹. After three annual cropping cycles and PL application, mean soil organic C increased by 17%, Olsen-P by 73%, and NH₄OAc-extractable-K by 24%. Most treatments had positive P but negative K balances. About 11% of the net P balance was recovered from the soil as Olsen-P. The study showed that optimum N and P fertilizer doses for an RW system receiving 5 Mg ha⁻¹ of PL are 40 kg N ha⁻¹ for rice and 90 kg N + 13 kg P ha⁻¹ for the following wheat. Safe and effective management of PL should be based on P balance, particularly when regular applications of PL are to be made in the RW system.     

Inorganic fertilizer enrichment of soil: effect on decomposition of plant litter under subhumid tropical conditions

 Litter decomposition is controlled by many factors, including the quality of the litter and conditions within the soil environment. The decomposition and N and P release from prunings of three agroforestry plant species (Sesbania sesban, Croton megalocarpus, and Calliandra calothyrsus) were evaluated on field plots which were amended with: (1) no fertilizer (control), (2) 120 kg N ha^–1 applied as urea (urea), and (3) 150 kg P ha^–1 applied as triple superphosphate (TSP) over a period of 77 days. For all litters, the percentage of initial mass, N and P remaining (dry weight basis) over time followed the single exponential model and was strongly influenced by the interaction of plant species and fertilizer. Decay rate constants (k) of loss of litter mass (k _B), and release of N (k _N), and P (k _P) varied among litters and fertility regimes. The k _B, k _N and k _P of Sesbania and Croton were enhanced more by urea than by TSP and control treatments. For Calliandra, k _B with TSP was higher (0.016 day^–1) than with urea (0.012 day^–1) and control (0.012 day^–1). Sesbania and Croton showed no differences in k _B, k _N and k _P between control and TSP. For Sesbania and Croton, leaching may have accelerated the release of P to meet the needs of decomposer organisms, resulting in no significant effects of TSP on their decomposition processes. The low rate of decomposition of Calliandra may be partly due to its high lignin content. In conclusion, the higher the total N or P of litter, the less likely would be the significant effects of additions of the inorganic form of fertilizer on the decomposition processes. Received: 1 July 1998     

Decomposition rates and feeding activities of soil fauna in deciduous forest soils in relation to soil chemical parameters following liming and fertilization

 This study investigated the influence of liming and P/K fertilization on the feeding activities of soil fauna and leaf litter decomposition rates in deciduous forest soils. The parameters examined were correlated to soil chemical characteristics. In 1994, we established a field experiment with six plots in an oak-beech forest and added different amounts of dolomite, partly combined with P/K fertilization. Two years thereafter a bait-lamina test was used to examine the feeding activity of soil fauna and a minicontainer test to study beech-leaf decomposition. In 1996, the feeding activity in the Ah horizon was lower in the plots left untreated in 1994 than in the plots which had been fertilized in 1994. The highest feeding activity was found in the treatment with 6 t dolomite ha^–1 plus P/K. In all plots, the feeding activity decreased with increasing soil depth. The decomposition rates varied from 0.49% to 0.78% week^–1 in the period April–October 1996. In 1996, the plots treated with 6 t dolomite ha^–1 had the highest decomposition rates and differed significantly from those treated with 9 t or 15 t dolomite ha^–1. No significant differences were found between the untreated plots and those treated with 9 t or 15 t dolomite ha^–1. These results were confirmed by those obtained in 1997. The C/N ratio of litter also decreased, mostly in the treatment with 6 t dolomite ha^–1. Feeding activities in the Ah horizon correlated positively with pH and concentrations of mobile Ca, Mg, K, and negatively with concentrations of mobile Al and heavy metals. We concluded that an increased supply of mobile nutrients and a decrease in mobile Al and heavy metals in these forest soils, as well as a balanced ratio between macro- and micronutrients, led to increased biological activity. Received: 26 June 1998     

中国亚热带两种竹林凋落物输入量、凋落物分解和养分释放动态

Bamboos are one of the fast-growing and multiple use species in the world, and thus bamboo forests/plantations play an important role in C sequestration at regional and global levels. We studied aboveground litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics for two years in two subtropical bamboo ecosystems in Southwest China so as to test the hypothesis that litter quality determine the rate and nutrient dynamics during decomposition of different litter fractions. Mean annual total aboveground litter production ranged from 494 to 434 g m-2 in two bamboo stands （P stand, dominated by Pleioblastus amarus and H stand, hybrid bamboo dominated by Bambusa pervariabilis x Dendrocalamopsis daii）. Bulk （-80%） of litter production was contributed by leaf litter in two stands followed by twigs and sheathes. Different litter fractions represented considerable variations in the rates of mass loss and nutrient release. Variation of the mass remaining after 2 years of decomposition was significantly explained by initial C/N ratio and initial P concentration. Initial concentrations of N, P, Ca, and Mg explained 57.9%, 95.0%, 99.8% and 98.1%, respectively, of the variations of these elements mass remaining after 2 years of decomposition. The patterns of nutrient dynamics and the final amount remaining were mainly determined by their initial litter substrate quality in tl~ese two subtropical bamboo plantations.     

Decomposition and nutrient content of litter in a fertilized eucalypt forest

The decomposition and nutrient content of litter was studied for 2 years in regrowth Eucalyptus diversicolor forest to which N (0, 200 kg ha^-1 year^-1) and P (0, 30, 200 kg ha^-1) had been applied. The P addition increased, and the N addition decreased, the rate of dry weight loss of decomposing litter. Analysis of the coefficients of a double exponential decay model with components describing the release of labile and resistant fractions indicated that decomposition of the resistant component of litter was most affected by the fertilizer additions. Treatment with N reduced the rate of loss of this component and increased its half-life by approximately 30%, whereas P treatment increased its rate of decay and decreased its half-life by approximately 30%. P accumulated in litter during decomposition. P uptake and retention was greater in P-treated than untreated plots. The application of N reduced P accumulation in litter. An accumulation of N also occurred during decomposition, the amount of N imported into litter being greater on plots treated with N fertilizer. Treatment with N affected the amount of S in decomposing litter. Litter on N-treated plots either accumulated more S or released it more slowly than litter on plots not treated with N. The application of N as NH₄NO₃ decreased forest-floor litter pH, increased litter layer mass (by 15%), and increased the amount of N (by 34%) and S (by 32%) stored in the forest floor. Treatment with P reduced the amount of N (by 22%) stored in the litter layer. The application of 200 kg P ha^-1 in the absence of N increased the store of P in the litter layer by 80%, but when N and P were applied together the amount of P in the litter was not significantly different between P treatments.     

Release of nutrients dissolved organic carbon during decomposition of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana leaves in a mountain forest in Taiwan

Forest ecosystems in Taiwan are periodically influenced by typhoons that cause large amounts of litter input to the soil. The potential rapid decomposition of such litter under the warm and moist climatic conditions in Taiwan may lead to nutrient losses via seepage. The goal of this study was to investigate the dynamics of C, N, K, Ca, Mg, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during decomposition of Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana leaves in a field study at the Yuanyang Lake site in N Taiwan. We simulated the effect of a typhoon by adding about three times the annual aboveground litterfall (totally 13,900 kg ha^–1) as fresh leaves. Litterbags were taken at 7 dates over 16 months, followed by detection of mass loss and element composition in the remaining litter. Aqueous extracts of the remaining litter were analyzed for DOC and major elements. The properties of DOC were characterized by fluorescence spectra and by its stability against microbial decomposition. The litter mass loss was 35% after 16 months. The losses of Ca after 16 months from the litter bags were about equivalent to mass loss (39%), while those of K and Mg reached 86% and 60% of the initial amount, respectively. From the 13,900 kg ha^–1 of litter applied in total, 59 kg K ha^–1 and 12 kg Mg ha^–1 were released in the 16 months decomposition period, most of it in the first 4 months. The total release of Ca amounted to 69 kg ha^–1 but was more evenly distributed throughout the 16 months of observation. The absolute amount of N in the decomposing litter increased by 37% while the C : N decreased from 69 to 34. Extrapolated to the manipulation treatment, this resulted in a N gain of 36 kg N ha^–1 within 16 months. The leaching of K and DOC in laboratory extractions followed an asymptotic function with highest leaching from the initial litter and subsequent decrease with time of decomposition. On the contrary, the leaching of Ca and Mg reached a maximum after 2–4 months of incubation. About 2% of the C was extractable with water from the initially incubated leaves. The bioavailability of the extracted DOC decreased with litter age. Our results indicate that the decomposition of large amounts of litter induces a high risk of K and Mg losses with seepage, but the risk for N losses is low. The sources of N accumulation in decomposing litter at this site require further studies. In the initial phase of litter decomposition, the release of DOC seems to be an important contribution to mass loss.     

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.     

Leaf litterfall and decomposition of different above- and belowground parts of birch (Betula ermanii) trees and dwarf bamboo (Sasa kurilensis) shrubs in a young secondary forest in Northern Japan

In many Japanese forests, the forest understory is largely dominated by dwarf bamboo (Sasa) species, which compete with overstory vegetation for soil nutrients. We studied the rate of leaf litterfall, and decomposition and mineralization of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) from various components (leaf, root, wood, and rhizome) of overstory and understory vegetation in a young Betula ermanii forest from 2002 to 2004. Total litterfall was 377 g m⁻² year⁻¹, of which the overstory vegetation contributed about two thirds. A litter decomposition experiment conducted for 770 days indicated that mass loss of different litter components varied significantly, except for Sasa kurilensis wood and rhizome. Relative decomposition rates were significantly greater in the first growth period (June to October) than the dormant period (November to May) in most cases. Rainfall was the most important abiotic variable, explaining 75–80% of the variability in mass loss rates. Concentrations of ethanol soluble substances and N were significantly positively correlated (r=0.77 to 0.97, P<0.05) with mass loss at an early stage (41 days). The ratios of lignin/N and C/N were found to be negatively correlated with mass loss rates at all stages of litter decomposition. C stock loss was similar to that of mass loss, whereas N stock loss was slower, except for S. kurilensis fine root litter. The evergreen understory species S. kurilensis exhibited greater N use efficiency than B. ermanii, suggesting better competitive ability that might favor the production of a high biomass and invasion under tree species like B. ermanii.     

Release of sulphate, potassium, calcium and magnesium from spent mushroom compost under laboratory conditions

The release of sulphate-sulphur (SO₄ ^2–-S), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) from soil amended with spent mushroom compost (SMC), a by-product of mushroom production, was measured for 16 weeks in an open laboratory incubation at 25°C. Rates of application were up to 80 t ha^–1 moist SMC (0.84% SMC dry weight) both with and without inorganic fertilizer. The rates of nutrient application in the inorganic fertilizer were: 338 kg ha^–1 N, 100 kg ha^–1 of both phosphorus and K, and 114 kg ha^–1 S. SMC contains 1.7% K, 6.5% Ca, 0.4% Mg and 1.2% S (of which 87% is inorganic), and has a carbon:sulphur ratio of 26. The release of SO₄ ^2–-S was rapid, and was described using either a first or mixed order exponential equation, or (underestimated) by the CENTURY model. The release of K, Ca and Mg was initially rapid (first order) and then declined to a constant rate (zero order). Their release was also described using first/first order or first order/parabolic diffusion equations. Model parameters indicated the relative sizes of both readily releasable and recalcitrant nutrient pools. The recovery of SMC-supplied nutrients in the absence of fertilizer was 75–83% of the S, 40–45% of the K, 14–20% of the Ca and 43–66% of the Mg. When fertilizer was applied 33–45% of the S, 22–36% of the K, 12–24% of the Ca and –4 to 20% of the Mg that were supplied by the SMC and fertilizer were recovered in the leachate. The generally lower nutrient recovery when fertilizer was applied could have resulted from the incomplete recovery of fertilizer S and K, from soil fixation of applied nutrients, and from the lower pH following fertilizer application. Received: 3 April 1997     

Changes in phosphorus fractions,sorption and release in Udic Mollisols under different ecosystems

A 20-year field trial was conducted to study the effects of ecological factors and fertilization on phosphorus characteristics of fertile Udic Mollisols under three ecosystems: (1) bare land ecosystem with no vegetation or fertilizers (BE), (2) natural ecosystem with native grasses but no fertilizers (NE) and (3) agroecosystem with a rotation of wheat–soybean–corn. The agroecosystem had received N and P fertilizers during 1985–1993 and had received no fertilizers (CK), N and P fertilizers (NP) or N and P fertilizers along with pig manure (NPM) during 1994–2005. While there was no P input or removal in the BE and NE, the CK had a net P loss of 174 kg ha⁻¹, whereas the NP had a net gain of 96 kg/ha and the NPM 504 kg ha⁻¹. Increasing net P input increased both Olsen P and total P in the 0–20-cm soil. The amounts of NaHCO₃-extractable (Ca₂–P) and NH₄Ac-extractable P fractions (Ca₈–P) were in an order of NPM > NP > CK > NE > BE. The H₂SO₄-extractable fraction (Ca₁₀–P) was lowest in the BE and highest in the NPM but was similar in the other treatments. The CK had the least, and the NPM had the highest amounts of NH₄F-extractable (Al–P) and NaOH–Na₂CO₃-extractable fractions (Fe–P). Among the inorganic P, the percentage of Ca₂–P, Ca₈–P and Al–P increased, whereas that of Fe–P, occluded P and Ca₁₀–P decreased with increasing P input into the system. Soil P adsorption was in an order of CK > NE > NP > BE > NPM, whereas P release was in an order of NPM ≫ NP > CK > NE > BE. The study concluded that soil P can be sustained under the natural ecosystem while annual applications of chemical fertilizers and animal manure increased both labile and non-labile P pools in the agroecosystem.     

Contribution of decomposing harvest residues to nutrient cycling in a second rotation Eucalyptus globulus plantation in south-western Australia

Amounts of nutrients in harvest residues and their contribution to nutrient cycling were quantified following logging of a Eucalyptus globulus plantation in south-western Australia. An estimated 64 t ha^–1 of leaf, bark and branch material less than 3 cm in diameter was deposited on the forest floor during harvesting. Leaves contributed about one-third of the residue dry weight but accounted for almost three-quarters of residue-N stores (299 of 428 kg N ha^–1) and 36% to 52% of P, K, Ca, and Mg stores. Stores of nutrients in slash were significant in comparison to amounts in surface soil (0–20 cm). Residue-N amounted to 11% of total surface soil N and cations stored in residues were equivalent to 23–114% of surface soil exchangeable cations. Decomposition of the leaf fraction of slash was rapid with more than 90% of dry weight released during the 105-week study. Bark and branch fractions of diameters 0.5, 1 and 2 cm lost 39%, 37%, 32% and 29% of dry weight, respectively, during the same period. Single and double exponential decay models fitted to the data indicated half lives ranging from 20 weeks for leaves and from 3 to 4 years for bark and the branch fractions. During decomposition, K was leached rapidly from all residue fractions, Mg and P were released at similar rates to dry weight, and Ca and N were released more slowly than dry weight. In the 105-week study period, 250 kg ha^–1 of N, 20 kg ha^–1 of P, 213 kg ha^–1 of Ca, 298 kg ha^–1 of K, and 63 kg ha^–1 of Mg were returned to the soil from decomposing harvest slash. The leaf fraction was the major contributor to nutrient cycling, accounting for almost all of the N and Ca release and from half to three-quarters of the K, Mg and P released. Amounts of nutrients released from residues in the year following logging greatly exceeded quantities likely to be taken up by the newly established tree crop.     

Soil organic matter, microbial biomass and enzyme activities in a tropical agroforestry system

 The effects of growing trees in combination with field crops on soil organic matter, microbial biomass C, basal respiration and dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities were studied in soils under a 12-year-old Dalbergia sissoo (a N₂-fixing tree) plantation intercropped with a wheat (Triticum aestivum) – cowpea (Vigna sinensis) cropping sequence. The inputs of organic matter through D. sissoo leaf litter increased and crop roots decreased with the increase in tree density. Higher organic C and total N, microbial biomass C, basal soil respiration and activities of dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were observed in treatments with tree-crop combination than in the treatment without trees. Soil organic matter, microbial biomass C and soil enzyme activities increased with the decrease in the spacing of the D. sissoo plantation. The results indicate that adoption of the agroforestry practices led to an improved organic matter status of the soil, which is also reflected in the increased nutrient pool and microbial activities necessary for long-term productivity of the soil. However, tree spacing should be properly maintained to minimize the effects of shading on the intercrops. Received: 21 February 1997     

Nutrient pools to the soil through organic matter and throughfall under a Scots pine plantation in the Sierra de la Demanda,Spain

Aboveground biomass, litterfall, leaf weight loss during decomposition, nutrient return and water balance have been estimated in a Scots pine plantation (Pinus sylvestris L.) in the Sierra de la Demanda, Spain, a Mediterranean climatic zone. The aboveground biomass was estimated by cutting and weighing seven trees according to diameter classes, recording the categories of trunk, branches and leaves. The carbon and nitrogen content in the different fractions were also analysed. The results indicate a total biomass of 152.1 Mg·ha^–1. The litterfall was 5.8 Mg·ha^–1·yr^–1, although variations from year to year were observed mostly due to water stress in summer. Greater decomposition constants were obtained for total litter than for needle litter alone. It is possible that the mean soil humidity was not a limiting factor in the decomposition process, which would be due to the distribution of rainfall rather than to the total amount of precipitation together with elevated temperature. The values of precipitation reaching the soil fluctuated monthly, depending on the rainfall characteristics. Important fluctuations in concentration were observed for Ca²⁺, PO₄^–3-P, and NO₃^–-N.     

Plant canopy effects on litter accumulation and soil microbial biomass in two temperate forests

The objective of this study was to determine whether differences in canopy structure and litter composition affect soil characteristics and microbial activity in oak versus mixed fir-beech stands. Mean litter biomass was greater in mixed fir-beech stands (51.9t ha⁻¹) compared to oak stands (15.7t ha⁻¹). Canopy leaf area was also significantly larger in mixed stands (1.96m² m⁻²) than in oak stands (1.73m² m⁻²). Soil organic carbon (C _org) and moisture were greater in mixed fir-beech stands, probably as a result of increased cover. Soil microbial biomass carbon (C _mic), nitrogen (N _mic), and total soil nitrogen (N _tot) increased slightly in the mixed stand, although this difference was not significant. Overall, mixed stands showed a higher mean C _org/N _tot ratio (22.73) compared to oak stands (16.39), indicating relatively low rate of carbon mineralization. In addition, the percentage of organic C present as C _mic in the surface soil decreased from 3.17% in the oak stand to 2.26% in the mixed stand, suggesting that fir-beech litter may be less suitable as a microbial substrate than oak litter.     

Rainforest litter quality and chemical controls on leaf decomposition with near‐infrared spectrometry

Plant‐litter chemical quality is an important driver of many ecosystem processes, however, what actually constitutes high‐ or low‐quality litter (chemical potential for fast and slow decomposition, respectively) is often interpreted by the indices available. Here, near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to explore leaf‐litter chemical quality and the controls on decomposition in the tropical rainforest region of north Queensland Australia. Leaf‐litter samples from litterfall collections and litterbag studies were used. NIRS was used to calibrate the chemical compositions of the material (N, P, C, Mg, Ca, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, α‐cellulose, and total phenolics) from a smaller sample set covering the spectral range in the full set of samples. Calibrations were compared for both separate (local) and combined models, for litterbags, and litterfall. Coefficients of determination (r²) in the local models ranged from 0.88 (litterbag Mg) to 0.99 (litterfall N), with residual prediction deviation ratios > 3 for all constituents except Mg (≈ 2.5). Mass loss in the litterbags was strongly related to the NIR spectra, with model r²'s of 0.75 (in situ leaves) and 0.76 (common control leaf). In situ decomposability was determined from modeling the initial NIR spectra prior to decomposition with litterbag exponential‐decay rates (model r² of 0.81, n = 85 initial samples). A best subset model including litter‐quality, climate, and soil variables predicted decay better than the NIR decomposability model (r² = 0.87). For litter quality alone the NIR model predicted decay rate better than all of the best predictive litter–chemical quality indices. The decomposability model was used to predict in situ decomposability in the litterfall samples. The chemical variables explaining NIR decomposability for litterfall were initial P, C, and phenolics (linear model r² = 0.80, n = 2471). NIRS is a holistic technique that is just as, if not more accurate, than litter–chemical quality indices, when predicting decomposition and decomposability, shown here in a regional field study.     

Biomass and nutrient cycling in bamboo (Bambusa bambos) plantations of tropical areas

Biomass productivity and nutrient cycling in a Bambusa bambos plantation aged 4, 5, and 6 years were studied. The dry matter production of above-ground biomass increased progressively with age. Nutrient quantities in bamboo stands were in a range of 1–2 t ha^-1 for N and K, 0.5–1 t ha^-1 for Ca and Mg, and 0.1–0.2 t ha^-1 for P. Nutrient concentrations increased with the age of the plantation. About 10% year^-1 the nutrients present in the biomass of the bamboo stand are recycled to the soil by litter fall.