Decomposition Dynamics and Nutrient Release Pattern from Leaf Litters of Five Commonly Occurring Homegarden Tree Species in Mizoram,India

Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release patterns from five common multipurpose tree species—viz., Artocarpus heterophyllus, Mangifera indica, Areca catechu, Citrus sp., and Tamarindus indica, found in homegardens of Mizoram—were evaluated using a litter bag technique. The result of the study indicates a varying pattern of decomposition and nutrient release (N&P) among the species. Citrus sp. and T. indica were found to be the most labile species with comparatively much higher decay constant and faster nutrient release. Initial nitrogen concentration, lignin content, and lignin/N ratio of foliage litter showed significantly higher (p < .01) correlation with the decay coefficient and were found to be the important determinants in the decay process. The initial slow release and immobilization of N in A. heterophyllus and M. indica leaf litter reflect their potential as a source of nitrogen storage and effective mulching material. While litter from T. indica and Citrus sp. can provide the short-term nutrient need, foliage for the other three species may supply the long-term nutrient requirement for the understory crops in such agroforestry systems.     

Leaf litter decomposition of dominant tree species of Namdapha National Park,Arunachal Pradesh,northeast India

Rates of weight loss and nutrient (N and P) release patterns were studied in the leaf litter of the dominant tree species (Ailanthus grandis, Altingia excelsa, Castanopsis indica, Duabanga sonneriatioides, Dysoxylum binectariferum, Mesua ferrea, Shorea assamica, Taluma hodgsonii, Terminalia myriocarpa and Vatica lancefolia) of a tropical wet evergreen forest of northeast India. Nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization rate and decay pattern varied significantly from species to species. In general, the decay pattern, characterized by using a composite polynomial regression equation, exhibited three distinct phases of decay during litter decomposition—an initial slow decay phase (0.063% weight loss day⁻¹), followed by a rapid decay phase (0.494% weight loss day⁻¹) and a final slow decay phase (0.136% weight loss day⁻¹). The initial chemical composition of the litter affected decomposition rates and patterns. Species like D. sonneriatoides, D. binectariferum, and T. hodgsonii with higher N and P content, lower carbon and lignin content, and lower C:N ratio and lignin:N ratio exhibited relatively faster decomposition rates than the other species, for example M. ferrea, C. indica and A. grandis. A slow decay rate was recorded for species such as M. ferrea, C. indica, and A. grandis. The initial N and P content of litter showed significant positive correlations with decay rates. Carbon and lignin content, lignin:N, and C:N showed significant negative correlations with decay rates. Soil total N and P, and rainfall, soil temperature, and soil moisture had positive correlations with decay rates. The rapid decomposition rates observed in comparison with other different forest litter decay rates confirm that tropical wet evergreen forest species are characterized by faster decomposition rates, indicating a faster rate of organic matter turnover and rapid nutrient cycling.     

西南桦和尾巨桉凋落叶分解及其与土壤性质的相关性

[目的]探讨南亚热带西南桦和尾巨桉人工纯林的凋落叶分解动态及其与土壤化学性质之间的相关关系.[方法]采用原位分解袋法研究凋落叶的分解过程.[结果]表明:西南桦、尾巨桉人工林凋落叶分解系数分别为0.96 a^-1和0.88 a^-1.在为期12个月的分解试验中,2种凋落叶有机C含量在整个分解过程中呈逐渐下降趋势;全K含量和C/N比在分解前期迅速下降,之后趋于平缓;全N含量和全P含量在整个分解过程中呈逐渐上升趋势;2种凋落叶N/P比则呈先升高后下降的趋势.无论是分解前期还是分解后期,凋落叶质量损失与N含量均呈显著正相关(前期R=0.877;后期R=0.855),与C/N均呈显著负相关(前期R=-0.735;后期R=-0.697).与尾巨桉林地土壤性质相比,西南桦凋落叶分解提高了林地0~10、10~20 cm土壤的有机C、全N、全P、全K、N/P,对2030 cm土壤有机C、全K、pH值、C/N、N/P则未产生显著影响.相关分析表明:凋落叶初始有机C含量与土壤有机C、全N、全P、全K、N/P显著相关;凋落叶初始全N含量与土壤全N、pH值、C/N显著相关.[结论]凋落叶的养分含量与土壤养分的关系紧密;与尾巨桉相比,西南桦凋落叶的养分含量明显较高,分解速率更快,释放到土壤中的养分也更多.     

毛竹和林下植被芒箕凋落物分解特征研究

[目的]探讨竹林与其林下植被凋落物叶之间相互影响的潜在机制,为合理经营管理毛竹林林下植被提供理论参考。[方法]采用原位分解袋法研究了四川长宁毛竹与林下植被芒箕凋落物叶分解和养分释放过程。[结果](1)芒箕凋落物叶初始C、N、P含量和羟基碳高于毛竹(P 0. 05),而C∶N、C∶P、烷基碳、氧烷基碳和芳香碳低于毛竹(P 0. 05)。(2)凋落物叶分解和养分释放速率芒箕整体高于毛竹,芒箕和毛竹分解常数(k)分别为0. 58±0. 03和0. 73±0. 02,C、N、P养分释放均表现为净释放。(3)凋落物叶混合对分解速率没有显著影响,但抑制了N、P元素整个分解周期和C元素中后期的释放。(4)凋落物叶分解过程中元素含量变化格局表现为C含量和C∶N比整体呈下降趋势,N含量和N∶P比有小幅上升,P含量有微弱的下降趋势,C∶P比呈波动性变化。(5)凋落物叶分解速率与土壤温度、初始凋落物叶N和P含量呈显著正相关(P 0. 01),与初始凋落物叶的C∶N和C∶P呈极显著负相关(P 0. 01),与土壤含水量相关不显著。[结论]单独分解过程中,毛竹凋落物叶分解速率低于林下植被芒箕,养分释放特征均表现为直接释放;混合分解过程中,毛竹和芒箕凋落物叶分解速率无显著混和效应,但养分释放的混合效应表现出一定负效应和不同阶段性。     

Nutrient dynamics associated with leaf litter decomposition of three agroforestry tree species (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica,Dalbergia sissoo</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melia azedarach</Emphasis>) of Bangladesh

Azadirachta indica A. Juss, Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., and Melia azedarach L. are little studied species in nutrient return capabili- ties from leaf litter decomposition to maintenance of the soil fertility despite their importance in agroforestry practices of Bangladesh. A leaf litter decomposition experiment was conducted using a litterbag tech- nique to assess the nutrient return efficiency of these species. The de- composition rate of leaf litter was highest for M. azedarach and lowest for D. sissoo. Rainfall and temperature of study sites showed a signifi- cant (p<0.05) positive relationship with the rate of leaf litter decomposi- tion. The highest decay constant was observed for M. azedarach (6.67). Nitrogen and Phosphorus concentration in leaf litter showed a decreased trend sharply at the end of the first month, whereas rapid decrease of Potassium concentration was reported within 10 days. Conversely, higher concentration of nutrient was observed at the later stages of decomposi- tion. All three species showed a similar pattern of nutrient release (K > N > P) during the decomposition process of leaf litter. Among the studied species, D. sissoo was best in terms of N and P return and A. indica was best in terms of K return.     

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。     

模拟外源性氮磷对马占相思凋落叶分解及土壤生化特性的影响

[目的]研究外源性氮和磷对马占相思凋落叶的分解速率、分解过程中N、P、K含量和土壤生化特性的影响,以便为森林土壤养分管理提供参考。[方法]以广东省云勇林场马占相思林下凋落叶为试验材料,采用尼龙网袋分解法,设置对照(CK)、施N(10 g·m~(-2))、施P(5 g·m~(-2))、施N+P(N 10 g·m~(-2)+P 5 g·m~(-2))4种处理,每隔3个月取样1次,并测定凋落叶残留量和N、P、K含量。[结果]表明:施N、P和N+P处理对马占相思凋落叶的分解均为促进作用。各处理马占相思凋落叶的N含量在分解过程中大致保持稳定,施P和N+P处理的凋落叶P含量在分解过程中总体呈波动性上升,而各处理的凋落叶K含量变化规律不明显。施N、P和N+P处理提高了马占相思林土壤的有机质和全N含量,促进脲酶、磷酸酶及过氧化氢酶的活性。[结论]施N、P和N+P处理促进了马占相思凋落叶的分解,有利于马占相思林的养分循环。     

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.     

Biomass,decomposition and nutrient release of Vaccinium myrtillus leaf litter in four forest stands

Biomass and nutrient transfer (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaf litter fall, as well as decomposition and nutrient release, were studied in four mature forest stands situated in Central and South Sweden. Bilberry leaf litter fall amounted to between 33 and 55 kg ha^‐1 yr^‐1 in the four stands. Only minor differences between sites were noted for litter concentrations of N, P and Ca, whereas K and Mg showed somewhat larger variability. Relative amounts of the five nutrient elements in the litter fall were generally in the order N > Ca > K > Mg > P. The amounts of nutrients returned to the forest floor by the annual leaf litter fall in the stands ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 kg ha^‐1 for N, 0.4 to 0.6 kg ha^‐1 for Ca, 0.2 to 0.7 kg ha^‐1 for K, 0.1 to 0.2 kg ha^‐1 for Mg and 0.04 to 0.08 kg ha^‐1 for P.

The decomposition of the local bilberry leaf litter was followed by means of litterbags during three years. At all sites there was an extremely rapid mass loss from the litter (between 45% and 54%) during the first four to five months of decomposition. After this initial phase, the decomposition rates decreased markedly and after three years the accumulated mass losses of the litters varied between 64% and 78% at the studied sites. After two and three years of decomposition, three of the sites exhibited almost similar litter mass losses whereas at the fourth site the litter was decomposed to a significantly lower degree. The pattern of nutrient release from the decomposing bilberry leaf litter differed somewhat from site to site. Minor differences were, however, noted for P, Ca and Mg while N and K were more strongly retained in the litter at one of the sites.     

Litterfall,decomposition and nutrient release of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Shorea robusta</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tectona grandis</Emphasis> in a sub-tropical forest of West Bengal,Eastern India

We studied leaf litter fall, decomposition and nutrient release patterns of Shorea robusta and Tectona grandis by using a litter bag technique to better understand the release pattern of nutrients to soil from leaf litter. Annual litterfall varied from 13.40 ± 2.56 t ha^?1 a^?1 for S. robusta to 11.03 ± 3.72 t ha^?1 a^?1 for T. grandis and the decay constant (k) of decomposed leaf litter was distinctly higher for T. grandis (2.70 ± 0.50 a^?1) compared to S. robusta (2.41 ± 0.30 a^?1). Biomass loss was positively correlated with the initial litter C, WSC, C/N and ash content in S. robusta and N, P and K concentration for T. grandis. Biomass was negatively correlated with lignin and L/N ratio for S. robusta and L, WSC, L/N and C/N ratio for T. grandis (P < 0.01). Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and nutrient accumulation index (NAI) of S. robusta was higher than for T. grandis. The retranslocation of bioelements from senescent leaves ranked as P > N > K. Annual N, P and K input to soil through litterfall differed significantly between the two species in the following order: N>K>P. S. robusta was superior in terms of K and P return and T. grandis was superior in terms of N return. The two tree species showed a similar patterns of nutrient release (K > P > N) during decomposition of their leaf litter. Nutrients of N, K and P were the primary limiting nutrients returned to soil through litterfall with important roles in soil fertility and forest productivity.     

Litterfall,litter decomposition and the use of mulch of four indigenous tree species in the Atlantic lowlands of Costa Rica

Litterfall, forest-floor litter biomass and nutrients, short-term litter decomposition and the effects of leaf mulches on initial growth of maize were studied for four indigenous tree species with agroforestry potential:Stryphnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl.(S. excelsum), Vochysia ferruginea Mart,Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm. (V. hondurensis) andHyeronima alchorneoides (O), growing in a young experimental plantation in the Atlantic humid lowlands of Costa Rica. Total annual leaf litterfall was higher inV. ferruginea plots, followed byS. microstachyum, V. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; all with values comparable to those reported for other tree species grown in agroforestry combinations in humid tropical regions. Forest-floor litter accumulation was highest underV. ferruginea andV. guatemalensis. Both litterfall and forest-floor litter material had similar patterns in nutrient concentrations: N was higher inS. microstachyum, Ca was higher inV. guatemalensis, K was higher inH. alchorneoides; Mg was higher inV. guatemalensis andH. alchorneoides; H. alchorneoides andV. guatemalensis had the highest P.V. ferruginea litter decomposed more slowly, whileS. microstachyum apparently decomposed faster than the other species. The twoVochysia species showed increases in N and P concentration in decomposing litter after seven weeks in the field,H. alchorneoides showed an increase in litter N and a decrease in litter P, andS. microstachyum showed a net decrease in both N and P over the same time period. The patterns found in the litter bag study were confirmed by results obtained in a tethered-leaves experiment.S. microstachyum andV. ferruginea litters lost more weight when mixed in a 11 proportion than either of them alone. Maize seedlings growing in plots mulched withS. microstachyum andH. alchorneoides leaves showed greatest initial growth, confirming patterns found in decomposition and nutrient release studies. The results show that these species could be used in agroforestry combinations with different advantages according to the specific objectives desired, whether these are soil protection, nutrient recycling, or enhancement of the growth of associated crops.     

Nutrition and growth of wheat–sorghum rotation in soils amended with leaf litter of trees before planting of wheat

Nutrient release from plant residues can be manipulated as per crop demand through several approaches. A pot study was conducted to study the influence of incorporation of leaf litter of poplar (Populus deltoides), eucalypt (Eucalyptus hybrid) and dek (Melia azedarach) inoculated with cellulolytic fungus culture (Aspergillus awamori) on the nutrition and biomass of wheat (Triticum aestivum, cv. PBW 343) in loamy sand and sandy loam soils. The residual effect of leaf litter after wheat harvest was studied on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, cv. Punjab Sudax Chari 1). The treatments consisted of a control (no leaf litter) and three uninoculated as well as inoculated leaf litter levels of tree species–0.15%, 0.30% and 0.45% (w/w, dry weight basis). A uniform dose of N, P and K @ 50, 11 and 10 mg kg⁻¹ soil, respectively from inorganic fertilizers was applied to all the treated pots. Straw and grain yield, and nutrient content of wheat increased with increasing level of uninoculated or inoculated leaf litter in both the soils. The inoculated leaf litter augmented the yield and nutrient content of crop significantly (P < 0.05) as compared to the corresponding uninoculated treatments. Poplar and dek leaf litter produced higher wheat yield, plant nutrient content and available nutrients in soil after wheat harvest than eucalypt leaf litter. Dry matter yield of sorghum raised on residual fertility increased significantly with increasing levels of leaf litter application. The comparative responses in yield and nutrient content of crops were higher in loamy sand than in the sandy loam soil. The study shows the beneficial influence of use of cellulolytic microorganisms on enhancement in decomposition and nutrient release from litterfall of tree species.     

Forest gap size can efficiently promote litter decomposition and nutrient release in south-western China

Forest gaps are important in forest dynamics and management; however, the gap size that is most conducive to the decomposition of litter and promotion of nutrient cycling in forests remains poorly understood. The mass loss and nutrient release from Pinus massoniana and Toona ciliata litter in response to gap size classes were determined in south-western China during a 1.5-year litter decomposition experiment. One site with a closed canopy (CK) and seven sites with forest gaps of 100, 225, 400, 625, 900, 1 225 and 1 600 m² were established in a P. massoniana plantation in the Sichuan Basin of China; the CK site (fully shaded) was treated as the control. After 540 d, the mass and carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents in the litter of the control treatments decreased by 58.23%, 60.81%, 65.62% and 57.82% for P. massoniana litter and by 91.17%, 80.76%, 73.66% and 64.55% for T. ciliata litter, respectively, compared with the initial amounts. Most of the C, N and P were released from both tree species during the first 90 d of decomposition, although the temperature and moisture conditions were very low. The mass loss and C and N release rates for the two tree species and the P release rate from T. ciliata litter were higher in the 400–900 m² gap sites than in the other gap sites and the CK site, whereas the P release rate from P. massoniana litter was greater under large and medium-sized gaps (400–1 600 m²). The mass loss and C, N and P release rates were positively correlated with the soil moisture content in the seven different gap size treatments, with the soil moisture content representing the best predictor of litter decomposition. Therefore, our results indicate that medium-sized gaps (400–900 m²) can promote decomposition by changing the environmental conditions and may accelerate nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems.     

Litter dynamics and soil properties under different tree species in a semi-arid region of Rajasthan,India

Litterfall and decomposition are the two main processes accounting for soil enrichment in agroforestry. The extent of enrichment in soil properties depends on the tree species, management practices and the quantity and quality of litter. A field investigation was carried out to study litterfall production, decay rates, release of nutrients and consequent changes in soil physicochemical properties under crowns of four multipurpose tree species (MPTs) in irrigated conditions in farm fields. The species were Prosopis cineraria (L.), Dalbergia sissoo (Roxb.) ex DC, Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. and Acacia leucophloea (Roxb.) Willd. Annual accretion of litter ranged from 36 to 54 kg tree⁻¹ year⁻¹ and was highest under D. sissoo and lowest under A. nilotica. Total litterfall production was in the order: P. cineraria > A. leucophloea > A. nilotica > D. sissoo. P. cineraria showed the highest NPK concentration in litter. For all MPTs, a large pulse of litterfall coincided with the winter season (November to February). Litter of P. cineraria decomposed fastest while that of A. nilotica was slowest. More than 95% of the leaf litter of P. cineraria decomposed in 6 months, of D. sissoo in 7 months and A. leucophloea and A. nilotica in 9 months. Decomposition rate of litter was highly correlated with neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (r = −0.94) and P (r = −0.91) concentration. N, P and K release were best correlated with NDF, acid detergent fibre (ADF), P, lignin, lignin/N and C/P ratios and NDF alone explained 88% to 94% of the variability in litter decomposition and nutrient release rates. There was significant build up of soil organic carbon and available NPK in the agrisilvicultural systems but also a decrease in soil pH. Build up in soil fertility was significantly correlated with litterfall and soil improvement was greatest under P. cineraria.     

Responses of decomposition rate, nutrient return, and composition of leaf litter to thinning intensities in a Pinus tabulaeformis plantation

It is important to study the effect of tree density on the substrate quality and decomposition rate of leaf litter in plantations. In 2002, an experiment of the effects of thinning intensities at four different levels (i.e., 0 (I), 35.7% (II), 49.2% (III), and 64.2% (IV)) on undergrowth were carried out in an 18-year-old Pinus tabulaeformis plantation at an initial density of 3130 trees/hm² in the middle of the hills of Yingpan, Yanqing County, Beijing. Three years later, the rates of decomposition, the amount of nutrients returned, and the characteristics of leaf litter were compared by a litter bag method. The results show that the annual loss of dry matter of leaf litter in plots I, II, III, and IV was 25.81%, 26.25%, 27.68%, and 25.96%, respectively. The turnover of leaf litter was 10.04, 9.84, 9.24, and 9.97 years, respectively. Therefore, it is feasible and convenient to evaluate the effect of thinning on the rate of decomposition. In the first two months, the N, P, K, and Mg nutrients were released quickly. During the entire observation period of 14 months, the return of both N and Mg nutrients in the four plots exhibited a release-accumulation type of cycle. The return of P and K indicated a trend of release-accumulation and a relative balance. However, the return of Ca was far different from that of the other nutrients in the four plots. The total nutrient return of the four elements N, P, K, and Mg in the plots was 10.806, 31.016, 31.798, and 39.365 g/kg, respectively. Specifically, the quality of leaf litter in plot I was the worst in that N and Ca accumulated only 2.567 and 0.767 g/kg, respectively. Thinning did decrease the ratios of lignin to N and C to N and accelerated the rate of decomposition of leaf litter. The content of crude ash in leaf litter was enhanced by thinning, which prevented acid material, such as tannins and resins, from returning to the soil. The effect of thinning intensity was evaluated by the ratio of lignin to N, the ratio of C to N, and the ash content in leaf litter.     

Effects of clear-cutting on decomposition processes in leaf litter and the nitrogen and lignin dynamics in a temperate secondary forest

The effects of clear-cutting on the decomposition rate of leaf litter and on nitrogen (N) and lignin dynamics were investigated in a temperate secondary forest. Decomposition processes were examined over an 18-month period by the litterbag method and compared between a clear-cut site and an adjacent uncut control site using leaf litter from five dominant tree species (Clethra barvinervis, Quercus serrata, Camellia japonica, Ilex pedunculosa and Pinus densiflora). The decomposition rate for litter from C. barvinervis, Q. serrata and I. pedunculosa was significantly greater in the clear-cut plot than in the control plot, and there was no significant difference between plots for C. japonica and P. densiflora. Water content of litter was consistently lower in the clear-cut plot than in the control plot. Nitrogen mass increased after 6 months in the control plot, whereas no net increase of N was observed in the clear-cut plot. Nitrogen concentration increased with respect to accumulated mass loss of litter and was consistently lower in the clear-cut plot for all five species. The mass of lignin remaining in decomposing litter was generally lower in the clear-cut plot, but lignin concentration in decomposing litter was not significantly different between the clear-cut and control plots.     

氮沉降对凋落物分解的影响研究进展

过去几十年的人类活动增加了陆地生态系统的氮输入量,对凋落物分解的影响有促进、抑制和没有影响3种情况。凋落物的基质质量影响凋落物的分解,其中木质素、纤维素、酚类物质、N浓度、P浓度、C/N比、C/P比、木质素/N比具有重要作用。人类活动引起的全球变化,如CO₂增加、温度上升和降水变化,影响了氮沉降的速率和凋落物分解。未来氮沉降对凋落物分解的研究热点包括加强氮沉降对热带与亚热带森林凋落物和阔叶树种凋落物分解影响的研究,氮沉降对凋落物分解影响研究的长期化,采用13C同位素研究凋落物分解,注重凋落物分解对氮沉降与大气CO₂浓度升高、气候变暖、降水变化、紫外线辐射增强、P沉降交互作用响应的研究。     

Changes in nutrient concentrations and nutrient release in decomposing needle litter in monocultural systems of Pinus contorta and Pinus sylvestris—a comparison and synthesis

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) needle litters were compared in terms of nutrient composition and its change during decomposition. Initial nutrient composition differed between the species, with lodgepole pine needle litter having significantly higher concentrations of P, Mg and Mn. However, no difference was found for concentrations of N, Ca or K. Increases in concentrations of N, P and K during decomposition were significant in both litter types. For Ca the pattern of concentration changes followed a quadratic function as decomposition proceeded. Concentrations of Mg and Mn decreased in lodgepole pine needle litter. In Scots pine litter there was also an initial decrease, but it was followed by an increase in most incubations. For both Mg and Mn, changes in concentrations during decomposition differed significantly between species. In the late decomposition stages, concentrations of Mg and Mn became similar in both litter types. Nutrient concentrations generated by the models were compared with those of the humus (F and H) layer in the stands. The model was quite accurate in predicting concentrations of N and P for both species and the concentration of Mg for lodgepole pine. By contrast, it was not accurate in predicting concentrations of Ca and Mn. Nutrient release was estimated for the two species using both measured litterfall data and long‐term estimates, and regression models were used to predict concentration changes. Rates of release of P, Mg and Mn in the lodgepole pine stands were found to be about twice as high compared with those in Scots pine. Calcium was also released to a greater extent although the difference was not significant.     

Litter dynamics of six multipurpose trees in a homegarden in Southern Kerala, India

Multipurpose trees, the integral components of homegardens, contribute significantly to the closed nutrient cycling processes and sustainability of the ecosystem. Although, the litter production and probable nutrient returns via litter in homegardens have been documented, quantification and characterization of the decomposition and bioelement release from the litter have received relatively little scientific attention. The objective of the present study is to explore the litter dynamics of six locally important multipurpose trees (Mangifera indica L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk., Anacardium occidentale L., Ailanthus triphysa Dennst., Artocarpus hirsutus L. and Swietenia macrophylla L.), in an agroforestry homegarden in Southern Kerala, India. Litterfall and nutrient additions in the six species ranged from 383 to 868 g m⁻² yr⁻¹, nitrogen, 6.4 to 8.8, phosphorus, 0.17 to 0.42 and potassium, 1.1 to 2.8 g m⁻² yr⁻¹. The annual litter output in the homegarden was 425 kg with A. hirsutus, M. indica, A. heterophyllus and A. occidentale recording significantly higher litter and nutrient additions. Leaf litter decay studies revealed A. heterophyllus and A. occidentale to be the most labile litter species and S. macrophylla the most recalcitrant. The decay rate coefficients varied significantly among the species. Foliage decomposition rates related to the initial chemical composition of the litter revealed best correlation with lignin. NPK release was almost complete by the end of decay in all species inspite of the initial phases of accumulation observed for nitrogen and phosphorus. Two-way analysis of variance test revealed significant differences in the contents of the three elements as a function of species and time elapsed. Macronutrients were released in the order K>N/P. The higher rates of decay and nutrient turnover in M. indica, A. heterophyllus and A. occidentale foliage indicated the potential of using these species’ litter as nutrient inputs in agriculture while A. triphysa, A. hirsutus and S. macrophylla perform better as organic mulches taking a longer time for decay and hence nutrient release.     

Leaf Litter Decomposition in Diverse Silvopastoral Systems in a Neotropical Environment

ABSTRACT

The intensive cattle production on the Colombian Atlantic coast causes soil degradation and low productivity on pastures. Silvopastoral systems in Colombia are based on introduced species due to a lack of native species knowledge and a cultural trend to overestimate introduced species. It is necessary to study native species in association with the established pastures to increase productivity and to improve soil properties. This research was based on the Sinú River Valley (18 masl), under Tropical dry forest, in Colombia. The aim of this study was to determine changes in nutrient cycling when native trees are incorporated into grassland systems, according to their diversity. Leaf litter decomposition of two grass species and seven forestry native species were evaluated on four experimental blocks. The results showed that residual dry matter decreased over time and facilitated nutrient release associated with species diversity and its interaction. Nutrient liberation was specie-dependent being markedly higher on G. ulmifolia and P. quinata. The concentration of N/P, P, and Mg was significant and had the highest correlation with leaf litter decomposition. The tested decomposition models showed good performance and small significant differences between them, which confirms its reliability to use them under Colombian tropical conditions.