Estimating N transfers between N<Subscript>2</Subscript>-fixing actinorhizal species and the non-N<Subscript>2</Subscript>-fixing<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Prunus avium</Emphasis> under partially controlled conditions

Two methods of N transfer between plants—by litter decomposition and root-to-root exchange—were examined in mixed plantations of N-fixing and non-fixing trees. Nitrogen transfers from decaying litters were measured by placing ¹⁵N-labelled litters from four actinorhizal tree species around shoots of containerized Prunus avium. Nitrogen transfers by root-to-root exchanges were measured after foliar NO₃-¹⁵N fertilization of Alnus subcordata and Elaeagnus angustifolia growing in containers in association with P. avium. During the first 2 years of litter decomposition, from 5–20% of the N, depending on the litter identity, was released and taken up by P. avium. N availability in the different litters was strongly correlated with the amount of water-soluble N, which was highest in leaves of E. angustifolia. In the association between fixing and non-fixing plants, 7.5% of the A. subcordata N and 25% of E. angustifolia N was transferred to P. avium by root exchange. These results showed that the magnitude of N transfers by root exchange depended on the associated N₂-fixing species. Among the species investigated, E. angustifolia displayed the highest capacity for exudating N from roots as well as for releasing N from litters. These qualities make this tree a promising species for enhancing wood yields in mixed stands.     

Nonadditive effects of litter mixtures on decomposition and correlation with initial litter N and P concentrations in grassland plant species of northern China

We studied the occurrence of nonadditive effects of litter mixtures on the decomposition (the deviation of decomposition rate of litter mixtures from the expected values based on the arithmetic means of individual litter types) of litters from three plant species (i.e., Stipa krylovii Roshev., Artemisia frigida Willd., and Allium bidentatum Fisch. ex Prokh. & Ikonn.-Gal.) endemic to the grassland ecosystems of Inner Mongolia, northern China and the possible role of initial litter N and P on such effects. We mixed litters of the same plant species that differed in N and P concentrations (four gradients for each species) in litterbags and measured mass losses of these paired mixtures after 30 and 80 days under field conditions. We found the occurrence of positive, nonadditive effects of litter mixtures and showed that the magnitude of the nonadditive effects were related to the relative difference in the initial litter N and P concentrations of the paired litters.     

Leaf litter decomposition in the pure and mixed plantations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cunninghamia lanceolata</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Michelia macclurei</Emphasis> in subtropical China

Leaf litter decomposition of Cunninghamia lanceolata, Michelia macclurei, and their mixture in the corresponding stands in subtropical China was studied using the litterbag method. The objective was to assess the influence of native evergreen broadleaved species on leaf litter decomposition. The hypotheses were: (1) M. macclurei leaf litter with lower C/N ratio and higher initial N concentration decomposed faster than C. lanceolata litter, (2) decomposition rates in litter mixtures could be predicted from single-species decay rates, and (3) litters decomposed more rapidly at the site that contained the same species as in the litterbag. The mass loss of leaf litter was positively correlated with initial N concentration and negatively correlated with C/N ratio. The decomposition rate of M. macclurei leaf litter was significantly higher than that of C. lanceolata needle litter in the pure C. lanceolata stand. Contrary to what would be predicted, the litter mixture decomposed more slowly than expected based on the results from component species decomposing alone. There was no significant difference in litter decomposition rate between different habitats.     

施加内生真菌拟茎点霉（Phomopsis sp.）对茅苍术凋落物降解及土壤降解酶活性的影响

通过向盆栽土壤中分别添加茅苍术(Atractylodes lancea(thunb)DC.)凋落物(CK)、内生真菌拟茎点霉(Phomopsissp.编号B3)和灭菌凋落物(MB)、内生真菌和凋落物(WB)、内生真菌和凋落物及菌体发酵液(WBF)、凋落物和灭菌发酵液(WMF)后,定期检测凋落物纤维素、木质素降解率,测定土壤纤维素酶和木质素酶活性,并利用巢式PCR方法跟踪土壤中活体内生真菌B3动态变化,研究了土壤施加内生真菌对掉落的茅苍术残体的分解及土壤降解酶活性影响。结果表明,植物内生真菌离开宿主进入土壤仍具有生理活性,能适应非宿主环境,存活30 d之久。在此期间,内生真菌在富含凋落物的土壤中明显加快纤维素、木质素的降解,在10 d、30 d、60 d取样测定,处理组中WBF和MB的土壤纤维素酶活性显著高于其他处理组,处理组MB和WB的土壤木质素酶活性显著高于其他处理组。     

Carbon and nitrogen transfer in leaf litter mixtures

The decomposition rate of litter mixtures can differ from that expected on the basis of the decomposition rate of the individual components. This difference may be linked to nitrogen (N) transfer from high-N to low-N components. Transfer of N is probably also associated with transfer of C, but the extent and direction of this C transfer are unknown. This study examined transfer and loss in laboratory microcosms of C and N from two mixed litter species (Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L. and maize, Zea mays L.), which have natural isotopic differences in ¹³C. Half the material was ¹⁵N-labelled and the plants were fertilised or unfertilised. Substantial bidirectional transfer of C and N occurred between the litters, with net transfer of C from pine to maize litter and net transfer of N from high-N to low-N litter. Mixtures of fertilised and unfertilised plant litter showed higher than expected C losses and net transfer of N. Mixtures with litters from the same fertilisation treatment had small or insignificant net transfer of N and their C losses did not differ from values estimated using the decomposition rates of the pure litters.     

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.     

不同生境条件下西藏原始冷杉林凋落物分解特征与土壤养分的关系

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

封育措施下荒漠草原不同枯落物分解特征

以荒漠草原优势植物羊草(Leymus chinensis)、短花针茅(Stipa breviflora)及羊草+短花针茅(Leymus chinensis+Stipa breviflora)枯落物为研究对象,通过模拟试验,采用分解袋法,测定不同枯落物在分解过程中残留率的变化,分析枯落物元素释放规律及分解过程中对土壤性质的影响。结果表明:(1)在整个试验期内,不同枯落物残留率和质量损失率呈慢—快趋势,分解速率表现为羊草+短花针茅>短花针茅>羊草;试验区枯落物分解可以较好地拟合为Olson模型,不同枯落物分解50%和95%分别需要2.79~3.15,12.05~13.62年;(2)经过360天的分解,不同枯落物的全C、N、P均表现为释放的状态(NAI<100%),其中全C呈现波动释放的变化特征,释放比例为47.88%~54.54%;全N、全P呈释放—富集—释放的变化特征,其释放比例分别为36.34%~47.87%,57.08%~74.71%。(3)不同枯落物的分解均提高土壤有机C、N、P含量,均比初始值分别增加1.41~1.50,1.27~1.40,0.14~0.15 g/kg。研究结果为草地生态系统元素循环过程提供理论依据。     

Decomposition and substrate quality of leaf litters and fine roots from three exotic plantations and a native forest in the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia

Substrate quality and decomposition (measured as CO₂ release in laboratory microcosms) of fresh leaf litter and fine roots of Cupressus lusitanica, Pinus patula, Eucalyptus grandis and native forest trees were studied. Changes in litter chemistry in each forest stand were analysed by comparing fresh leaf litter (collected from trees) and decomposed litter from the forest floor. Elemental concentrations, proximate fractions including monomeric sugars, and cross polarisation magic-angle spinning (CPMAS) ¹³C NMR spectra were analysed in leaf litters, decomposed litter and fine roots. Leaf litters and fine roots varied in their initial substrate chemistry with Ca concentration in leaf litters being higher than that in fine roots. In each stand, fine roots had a higher acid unhydrolysable residue (AUR) (except for the Pinus stand), higher holocellulose concentration and lower concentration of water-soluble extractives (WSE) and dichloromethane extractives (NPE) than fresh leaf litter. Likewise, ¹³C NMR spectra of fine roots showed lower alkyl and carboxyl C, and higher phenolic (except P. patula), aromatic and O-alkyl C proportions than leaf litters. Compared with fresh leaf litter, decomposed litter had lower concentrations of potassium, holocellulose, WSE, NPE, arabinose and galactose, similar or higher concentrations of Mg, Ca, S and P, and higher concentrations of N and AUR. CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectra of decomposed litter showed a higher relative increase in signal intensity due to methoxyl C, aromatic C, phenolic C and carboxylic C compared with alkyl C. In a microcosm decomposition study, the proportion of initial C remaining in leaf litter and fine roots significantly fitted an exponential regression model. The decomposition constants (k) ranged between 0.0013 and 0.0030 d⁻¹ for leaf litters and 0.0010-0.0017 d⁻¹ for fine roots. In leaf litters there was a positive correlation between the k value and the initial Ca concentration, and in fine roots there was an analogous positive correlation with initial WSE. Leaf litters decomposed in the order Cupressus>native forest>Eucalyptus∼Pinus, and fine roots in the order Pinus>native forest>Cupressus∼Eucalyptus. In each stand the fine root decomposition was significantly lower than the leaf litter decomposition, except for the P. patula stand where the order was reversed.     

Composition and function of microbial communities during the early decomposition stages of foliar litter exposed to elevated CO2 concentrations

Foliar litter derived from trees exposed to elevated CO₂ concentration decreases in quality relative to foliar litter exposed to ambient CO₂. This change in quality could in turn affect the composition and function of microbial communities associated with litter transformation and mineralization. We evaluated the effects of decomposing litter obtained from three tree species, Pinus koraiensis, P. sylvestriformis and Quercus mongolicus, on the structure and function of microbial communities by burying litter‐bags and sampling the litters at intervals over a 429‐day period. Foliar litter collected from trees exposed to elevated CO₂ had greater C and lignin contents, and lost the mass at a slower rate than that collected from trees growing in ambient CO₂, except for P. koraiensis litter. The CO₂ responses of enzyme activity in litter were species‐dependent. Molecular fingerprinting by means of denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) demonstrated that elevated CO₂ more strongly affected the fungal community than the bacterial community in decomposing litter. In samples of P. koraiensis litter that had been exposed to elevated CO₂, sequences belonging to Basidiomycota showed increases in relative intensity, which were accompanied by significant increases in enzyme activities. Our results showed that enzyme activities and micro‐decomposer composition have different, litter‐specific responses to changes in litter biochemistry, which indicate that exposure of trees to elevated CO₂ has varying effects on litter decomposition.     

Interactions between litter quality, decomposition and soil fertility: a laboratory study

Leaf litters from beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and oak (Quercus robur L.) trees were collected from mixed, deciduous woodlands growing on three soil types that varied in mineral nutrient concentrations and N mineralisation potential. Litter quality, including %N, %Mn, %P, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, Klason lignin, phenylpropanoid constituents of lignin, hexose and pentose sugar (mainly from hemicelluloses) varied within species according to soil type. However, oak and beech showed the opposite responses to soil nutrient status for most of these variables. The litters were incubated in the laboratory for 12 months (at 18 °C and constant moisture) on beds of forest floor material from two soils of contrasting high nutrient material (HNM) or low nutrient material (LNM) nutrient status to investigate litter quality and substrate interactions. At 4, 8 and 12 months there were significant differences in mass losses from oak and beech litters from all sites, and for each litter type exposed to the HNM and LMN soils. At 12 months mean mass losses were higher for HNM treatment (38.7% oak, 27.8% beech) than for the LNM treatment (30.6% oak, 25.5% beech). However, the beech and oak litters from the different sites consistently responded in opposite ways on the same soil treatment reflecting site-related effects on litter quality. Initial concentration of Klason lignin was the best predictor for mass losses from litter species and litter types. Intra-specific variation in rates of litter decomposition of beech and oak litters from different sites, and differences in their interactions with the two forest floor materials, illustrate the complexities of proximate controls on decomposition that are often masked in system-level studies.     

Determinants of litter mixing effects in a Swedish boreal forest

When the litter of a given species decomposes, it will often break down in the proximity of litters from other species. We investigated the effects of litters of 10 different species in a boreal forest of northern Sweden on each others' decomposition and N release rates; this was done through the use of litterbags containing two compartments separated by single mesh partition. Different litters could be placed on opposite sides of this mesh so that they were in contact with each other. Treatments consisted of all the possible pairwise combinations of the 10 species, with members of each pair placed in different compartments of the same litterbag. Litterbags were harvested after 1, 2 and 4 years in the field. Species differed significantly in their effects on decomposition and N loss rates of associated litters. Generally, litters from feather mosses and lichens showed the greatest promotion of decomposition on associated litters, while some vascular plant species, notably Empetrum hermaphroditum, showed the least. At year four, feather mosses also had the greatest positive effects on N loss from the litters of associated species. There were several instances in which litter of a given species decomposed at different rate when litter from its own species, rather than that of a different species, was placed in the adjacent litterbag compartment. This was particularly apparent in the second year, when across the entire data set, litters decomposed fastest when associated with their own litters. Generally, slowly decomposing litters had the greatest positive effects on decomposition of associated litters. It is proposed that in boreal forests slow decomposing litters (particularly those of feather mosses) may contribute to enhancing moisture attention in the litter layer, which in turn promotes the decomposition and N release of associated litters. Further, while litter mixing effects were clearly demonstrated in our study, they were also shown to be of secondary importance to the effects of species identity on decomposition.     

Soil organisms and carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus mineralisation in Norway spruce and mixed Norway spruce – Birch stands

 We examined how soil organisms and C, N and P mineralisation are affected by admixing deciduous tree species, silver birch (Betula pendula) and woollen birch (B. pubescens), in managed Norway spruce (Picea abies) stands. Pure spruce and mixed spruce–birch stands were examined at four sites in southern and central Sweden. Soil macroarthropods and enchytraeids were sampled in litter and soil. In the uppermost 5 cm of soil humus we determined microbial biomass and microbial respiration; we estimated the rate of C, N and P mineralisation under laboratory conditions. The densities of Coleoptera, Diptera and Collembola were larger in mixed stands than in spruce stands. Soil fauna composition differed between mixed and spruce stands (as revealed by redundancy analysis). Staphyliniidae, Elateridae, Cecidiomyidae larvae and Onychiuridae were the families that increased most strongly in mixed stands. There were no differences in microbial biomass and microbial respiration, nor in the C, N and P mineralisation rates, between mixed and spruce stands. However, within mixed stands microbial biomass, microbial activity and C mineralisation were approximately 15% higher under birch trees than under spruce trees. We propose that the presence of birch leaf litter was likely to be the most important factor causing differences in soil fauna composition. Birch may also influence the quality and the decomposition rate of humus in mixed stands. However, when the proportion of birch trees is low, the short-term (decades) effect of this species on decomposition is likely to be small in mixed stands on acid forest soils. Received: 20 February 1998     

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.     

南亚热带5种典型人工林凋落物水文效应

以广西国有高峰林场的5种不同人工林(马尾松林、杉木林、桉树林、米老排林、红锥林)为研究对象,结合野外调查和室内浸水法,对各人工林凋落物层的水文效应进行定量分析。结果表明:(1)5种林分凋落物蓄积量范围在1.96～9.05 t/hm~2,大小顺序为红锥林杉木林马尾松林桉树林米老排林。(2)5种林分凋落物中,杉木林最大持水量最大,为14.23 t/hm~2,马尾松林最小,为6.26 t/hm~2;米老排林凋落物最大持水率最大,为577.98%,红锥林最小,为135.46%。(3)杉木林凋落物的有效拦蓄量最大,为10.18 t/hm~2,马尾松林最小,为4.07 t/hm~2;米老排林凋落物有效拦蓄率最大,为463.35%,红锥林最小,为92.38%。(4)回归分析表明,凋落物持水量与浸水时间的关系符合对数函数关系(Q=aln t+b(R~20.773)),凋落物吸水速率和浸水时间的关系符合幂函数关系(V=kt~n(R~20.997))。持水过程中,各林分凋落物均表现为在1 h内持水量迅速增加,1 h后增加速度变慢,在10～12 h之后,吸水基本停止。综上,杉木林、米老排林凋落物层水源涵养功能较强。     

黄浦江中游5种典型林分枯落物和土壤水源涵养能力研究

为了解黄浦江流域中游典型人工纯林枯落物和土壤的水源涵养能力,提高流域内水源涵养林建设保护与经营管理水平,选择黄浦江中游东岸的浦江郊野公园内的5种典型人工纯林(香樟林、桂花林、栾树林、无患子林和池杉林)作为研究对象,采用环刀法、烘干法与室内浸泡法对林分地表枯落物和土壤的水源涵养能力进行研究,并结合枯落物有效拦蓄量和土壤有效蓄水量来定量比较5种林分枯落物层和土壤层的水源涵养能力。结果表明:(1)5种林分枯落物有效拦蓄量为7.74～27.90 t/hm^2,表现为池杉林>无患子林>桂花林>栾树林>香樟林。(2)土壤有效蓄水量为104.87～174.01 t/hm^2,表现为栾树林>无患子林>香樟林>池杉林>桂花林。(3)林分枯落物有效拦蓄量和土壤有效蓄水量的总和为116.79～184.17 t/hm^2,表现为栾树林、无患子林的枯落物和土壤水源涵养能力较强,池杉林次之,香樟林与桂花林较弱。因此,在今后水源涵养林的建设管理过程中可优先选择落叶阔叶树种,适当种植针叶树种与常绿阔叶树种,加强对地表枯枝落叶层的保护,使林分更好地发挥其涵养水源的能力。     

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     

Characterization of dissolved organic matter in decomposing Norway spruce and silver birch litter

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) plays an important role in transport, storage and cycling of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in forest soils where litter is one of the main sources. The aim was to study the amount and characteristics of DOM leached from freshly fallen litters of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and their mixture during decomposition. DOM was collected after irrigation on eight occasions during 252 days incubation in the laboratory at about 18°C, including one freeze‐thaw cycle. During the incubation about 33–35% of C from birch and spruce litter and 40% of C from their mixture was lost. The total cumulative flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the mixture of litters was approximately 40% larger than that from single litters. The flux of DOC, DON, phenolic compounds and proteins followed a two‐stage pattern during decomposition. In the first stage the initially large fluxes decreased gradually. In the second stage, after freezing and thawing, the fluxes tended to increase again. Mixing birch and spruce litters and a freeze‐thaw cycle seems to increase the decomposition of litter and result in the increased flux of DOC, DON and phenolic compounds. The flux of hemicelluloses and the degradability of DOM were large at the first leaching occasion and decreased during the incubation. Birch had a 40% larger total flux of easily degradable DOM than spruce, supporting the previous consistent signs of greater microbial biomass and activities related to C and N cycling in soil under birch than under spruce. It is known that recalcitrant DOM might be stabilized whereas labile DOM may promote microbial activity and nutrient cycling. We conclude that the storage and cycling of C and N is affected by both tree species and degradation stage of litter in forest soils.     

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

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

Carbon and nitrogen turnover in response to warming and nitrogen addition during early stages of forest litter decomposition—an incubation experiment

Purpose

Little is known about the interactive effects of temperature, nitrogen (N) supply, litter quality, and decomposition time on the turnover of carbon (C) and N of forest litter. The objective of this study was to investigate the interactive effects of warming, N addition and tree species on the turnover of C and N during the early decomposition stage of litters in a temperate forest.

Materials and methods

A 12-week laboratory incubation experiment was carried out. The leaf litters including two types of broadleaf litters (Quercus mongolica and Tilia amurensis), a needle litter (Pinus koraiensis), and a mixed litter of them were collected from a broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest ecosystem in northeastern China in September 2009. Nine treatments were conducted using three temperatures (15, 25, and 35 °C) combined with three doses of N addition (equal to 0, 75, and 150 kg?·?ha^?1?a^?1, respectively, as NH₄NO₃).

Results and discussion

After 12 weeks of incubation, the mass loss ranged between 12 and 35 %. The broadleaf litters had greater mass loss and cumulative CO₂–C emission than the needle litter. Temperature and N availability interacted to affect litter mass loss and decomposition rate. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen (DON) concentrations in litter leachate varied widely with litter types. DOC increased significantly with increased temperature but decreased significantly with increased N availability. DON increased significantly with increased N availability but showed a higher level at the moderate decomposition temperature. The amounts of CO₂ and N₂O emission were significantly higher at 25 °C than those at 15 and 35 °C, and were significantly increased by the N addition.

Conclusions

The present study indicated relatively intricate temperature and N addition effects on C and N cycling during early stages of litter decomposition, implying that future increases in temperature and N deposition will directly affect C and N cycling in broad-leaved Korean pine mixed forest ecosystem, and may indirectly influence the ecosystem composition, productivity, and functioning in NE China. It is, therefore, important to understand the interactive effects of biotic and abiotic factors on litter decomposition in field conditions in order to assess and predict future ecosystem responses to environmental changes in NE China.