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261 results for “litter decomposition”
Stronger effect of litter quality than microorganisms on leaf and root litter C and N loss at different decomposition stages following a subtropical land use change
<p>Litter decomposition contributes largely to global carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling, and it is strongly determined by litter quality and microbial community composition in ways that are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a 2-year field litter decomposition experiment by collecting leaf and root litter of crops (from cropland), shrubs (from shrubland), and wood (from woodland) and placing samples for decomposition in woodland soil in central China to investigate the effects of litter quality and microbial community composition on C and N loss of leaf and root litter of three species under different decomposition stages. Our results showed that the leaf litter C and N losses of shrubs were significantly higher than those of crops and wood, whereas the root litter C and N losses of crops were significantly higher than those of shrubs and wood. Generally, the leaf litter C and N losses of the three species were higher on average than those of fine root litter under the whole decomposition period. For the C loss of the three species, litter lignin and phosphorus as well as initial litter quality were predominant drivers of root litter decomposition, while litter lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose concentrations were dominant for leaf litter decomposition. For N loss, litter stoichiometry and litter quality directly governed leaf and root litter N loss, and the initial litter quality largely regulated N loss at the late decomposition stage. Unexpectedly, the effect of microbial community composition on litter C and N loss was relatively weak and only exhibited an effect on litter C and N loss during the early stage of decomposition. Thus, our results revealed the huge disparity in C and N loss of plant species and litter types at different decomposition stages, which should be considered jointly when evaluating their roles in plant-soil feedbacks under global land use change.</p>
From: Soil fauna accelerate litter mixture decomposition globally, especially in dry environments
<p>More than half of net primary production in terrestrial ecosystems returns to the soil through leaf litter fall and decomposition. In terrestrial ecosystems, litter constitutes a mixture of mainly senescent foliage from multiple species. Yet, the effect of litter mixing on litter decomposition rate remains ambiguous. Quantification of the soil fauna contribution and inclusion of their interaction with litter could remove the prevailing ambiguity, as soil fauna might influence the direction and magnitude of litter mixture effects on decomposition.</p> <p>We carried out a global meta-analysis to elucidate how soil fauna influenced litter mixture decomposition rate based on 55 published studies with 873 fauna inclusion/exclusion comparisons in field litterbag experiments. We hypothesized that soil fauna inclusion in litter mixture experiments would cause a positive change in the magnitude of mixed litter decomposition. That is, the presence of soil fauna would lead to synergistic litter mixture effects while the absence of soil fauna would lead to antagonistic litter mixture effects. Furthermore, we hypothesized that soil fauna would have a greater positive impact on the litter mixture effect in environments with low precipitation.</p> <p>While litter mixture had a neutral effect on decomposition on average across studies, non-additive mixture effects were common, with a key role for soil fauna, which generally enhanced decomposition rate compared to the component single species litters. In contrast, fauna exclusion resulted in a diminished decomposition rate overall. The overall synergistic soil fauna effect on litter mixture decomposition increased under low precipitation. Under high precipitation, the litter mixture effect was positive in the absence of soil fauna but non-significant in the presence of fauna. Climate imposes a great effect on litter mixture, with synergistic effects increasing towards the equator.</p> <p>Synthesis: These results highlight the importance of soil fauna in mixed litter decomposition, most strongly in dry environments. In this era of global climate change, where some regions are projected to become drier, soil fauna might compensate the expected slower decomposition of litter by increasingly enhancing litter mixture decomposition. </p>
Decreased ultraviolet radiation and decomposer biodiversity inhibit litter decomposition under continuous nitrogen inputs
<p>Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has altered biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functioning. As a key process involved in carbon and nutrient cycles in terrestrial ecosystems, litter decomposition is sensitive to external N inputs. However, it remains unclear how the interactions of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, soil biodiversity (bacteria, fungi and invertebrates) and conventional drivers (e.g., litter chemistry and microbial activities) regulate the responses of litter decomposition to continuous N inputs.</p> <p>Based on an N-addition experimental platform, we conducted a two-year litter decomposition experiment to examine the relative importance of N-induced changes in biotic and abiotic factors in mediating changes in the decomposition rates of four litter types (three representative species and their mixture) along an experimental N gradient in a Tibetan alpine steppe.</p> <p>Our results showed that litter decomposition rates exhibited a consistent decrease in response to N enrichment among all species and their mixture. The slowed decomposition rates with increasing N addition were associated with N-induced reductions in UV radiation and soil bacterial diversity. An additional UV radiation manipulative experiment further confirmed that photodegradation had strong effects on plant litter decomposition at our study site.</p> <p>These results demonstrated that N-induced declines in UV radiation and soil bacterial diversity inhibited litter decomposition, challenging the traditional view that changes in litter chemistry and microbial activities determine the responses of litter decomposition to external N inputs.</p>
Volatilome of Aleppo Pine litter over decomposition process
<p>Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds (BVOC) are largely accepted to contribute to both, atmospheric chemistry and ecosystem functioning. While the forest canopy is recognized as a major source of BVOC, emissions from plant litter have scarcely been explored with just a couple of studies being focused on emission patterns over litter decomposition process. The aim of this study was to quantitatively and qualitatively characterize BVOC emissions (C1-C15) from Pinus halepensis litter, one of the major Mediterranean conifer species, over a 15 month litter decomposition experiment. Senescent needles of P. halepensis were collected and placed in 42 litterbags where they underwent in situ decomposition. Litterbags were collected every 3 months and litter BVOC emissions were studied in vitro using both on-line (PTR-ToF-MS) and off-line analyses (GC-MS). Results showed a large diversity of BVOC (58 compounds detected), with a strong variation over time. Maximum total BVOC emissions were observed after 3 months of decomposition with 9.18 µg.gDM-1.h-1 mainly composed by terpene emissions (e.g. α-pinene, terpinolene, β-caryophyllene). At this stage, methanol, acetone and acetic acid were the most important non-terpenic volatiles representing respectively up to 26%, 10% and 26% of total emissions. This study gives an overview of the evolution of BVOC emissions from litter along with decomposition process and will thus contribute to better understand the dynamics and sources of BVOC emission in Mediterranean pine forests.</p>
Litter decomposition and nutrient release from monospecific and mixed litters: comparisons of litter quality, fauna and decomposition sites effects
<p><span>Litter decomposition and nutrient release are key processes for soil C and nutrient cycling. However, the relative importance of the effects of litter quality, fauna and decomposition sites on litter decomposition remains poorly understood. Moreover, the macronutrient and micronutrient (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu and Zn) release in the decomposition process are even less well-known. </span></p> <p><span>In this study, we performed 5040 litterbag samplings of monospecific (<em>Larix gmelinii, Acer mono, Quercus mongolica</em>, and <em>Juglans mandshurica</em>) and mixed (<em>Larix </em>with each broad-leaved litter) litter treatments using litterbags with three mesh sizes (for different-sized fauna) in four paired stands of natural secondary forests compared with adjacent <em>Larix </em>plantations in a temperate forest ecosystem in China. Litter decomposition rate and macronutrient and micronutrient release during decomposition were assessed. </span></p> <p><span>We found that variation in litter quality had a considerably greater effect on litter decomposition than fauna and decomposition site.</span> <span>The decomposition constant was significantly related to the initial litter Mg concentration and lignin/P ratio, suggesting the importance of the Mg content and lignin/P ratio in controlling litter decomposition in temperate tree species. We also showed that macrofauna significantly increased monospecific but not mixed litter decomposition. In addition, the decomposition site conditions further influenced monospecific litter decomposition. Furthermore, the litter quality significantly influences N and Mn release in both monospecific and mixed litters. Compared with <em>Larix </em>litter, the average of N and Mn increased 33.9% and 53.8% in three broad-leaved litters, and 21.4% and 38.0% in three mixed litters, respectively. </span></p> <p><em><span>Synthesis</span></em><span>. Litter quality is a relatively more important factor than fauna and decomposition site for the decomposition of both monospecific and mixed litters when studied at a local scale in temperate forests. Moreover, litter decomposition enhanced in plantation sites with poor soil nutrient status, which has implications for C and nutrient cycling and long-term belowground forest ecosystem functions.</span></p>
Data for litter-mixture decomposition explained by properties of plant neighborhood
<p>Dataset used in the scientific article entitled "Functionally or phylogenetically distinct neighbors turn antagonism among decomposing litter species into synergy" written by Barbe <em>et al. </em>(2018) in Journal of Ecology</p>
Data from: Is tropical montane forest heterogeneity promoted by a resource-driven feedback cycle? Evidence from nutrient relations, herbivory and litter decomposition along a topographical gradient
1. Ridges of tropical mountains often differ strikingly from neighbouring ravines in terms of forest structure, productivity, and species composition. This heterogeneity is poorly understood despite its critical role in biodiversity maintenance, carbon and nutrient budgets. 2. We examined measures of tree biomass and productivity, foliage and litter quality (nutrient concentrations, specific leaf mass, phenolics), herbivory and leaf litter decomposition in each six plots laid out in upper and lower slope position in a tropical montane moist forest in southeastern Ecuador. 3. Productivity, quality of foliage and litter and herbivory were significantly lower in upper slope position and closely correlated with soil nutrient concentrations and accumulated humus. The decomposition of upper slope leaf litter (decomposition rate k) was substantially lower than in litter from lower slope forest, whereas the site of decomposition (slope position) only had a marginal effect on the decomposition rate. 4. Our results suggest that the differences in stand structure, productivity, foliar quality, herbivory and decomposition between slope positions are ultimately due to stronger nutrient limitations in upper slope forest. We propose a general conceptual model that explains origin and maintenance of contrasting forest types along topographical gradients through down-slope fluxes of nutrients and water, and a nutrient-driven positive feedback cycle.
Data from: Meiofauna promotes litter decomposition in stream ecosystems depending on leaf species
<p>Litter decomposition, a fundamental process of nutrient cycling and energy flow in freshwater ecosystems, is driven by a diverse array of decomposers. As an important component of the heterotrophic food web, meiofauna can provide a trophic link between leaf-associated microbes (i.e., bacteria and fungi)/plant detritus and macroinvertebrates, though their contribution to litter decomposition is not well understood. To investigate the role of different decomposer communities in litter decomposition, especially meiofauna, we compared the litter decomposition of three leaf species with different lignin to nitrogen ratios in litter bags with different mesh sizes (0.05, 0.25, and 2 mm) in a forested stream, in China for 78 days. The meiofauna significantly enhanced the decomposition of leaves of high- and medium-quality, while decreasing (negative effect) or increasing (positive effect) the fungal biomass and diversity. Macrofauna and meiofauna together contributed to the decomposition of low-quality leaf species. The presence of meiofauna and macrofauna triggered different aspects of the microbial community, with their effects on litter decomposition varying as a function of leaf quality. This study reveals that the meiofauna increased the trophic complexity and modulated their interactions with microbes, highlighting the important yet underestimated role of meiofauna in detritus-based ecosystems.</p>
Data from: Functional and phylogenetic diversity promotes litter decomposition across terrestrial ecosystems
Aim: Litter decomposition is a vital process of carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Despite rapid declines in plant diversity worldwide, the plant diversity effects on litter decomposition, along with the factors driving their directions and magnitudes, remain uncertain. Location: Globe. Time period: 1985-2018. Major taxa studied: Plants. Methods: By synthesizing 492 paired observations of leaf litter mixtures and monocultures from 110 studies, we conducted a global meta-analysis of the effects of litter mixtures on litter decomposition rates, which were calculated as <i>k</i> coefficients from <i>m</i><sub><i>t</i></sub>/<i>m</i><sub>0</sub> =<i>e</i><sup>-<i>kt</i></sup>, where <i>m</i><sub><i>t</i></sub>/<i>m</i><sub>0</sub> was litter mass remaining proportion corresponding to time <i>t</i>. Results: Litter mixtures on average increased litter decomposition rates by 5.6% (95% confident intervals, 3.0%-8.1%), and the effects of litter mixtures increased with litter species richness, the functional diversity of chemical traits (leaf C, N, P contents and C:N ratio) and phylogenetic diversity consistently across terrestrial ecosystems. The decomposer abundance and function, including soil fauna abundance, microbial biomass, and extracellular enzyme activities were positively associated with litter mixture effects on decomposition rates. The structural equation models accounted for 48.6% of the global variation in litter decomposition rates and revealed that the positive effects of litter functional diversity on decomposer abundance and function led to increased litter decomposition rates, while litter phylogenetic diversity had a direct effect on litter decomposition rates. Main conclusions: The functional diversity of the chemical traits and phylogenetic diversity, both as indicators for complementarity effects, are important drivers for increasing litter mixture effects on decomposition. The positive litter diversity effects on decomposition rates are mechanistically linked with soil fauna abundance, microbial biomass, and extracellular enzyme activities. Our results suggest that plant diversity, especially functional and phylogenetic diversity, increases decomposer abundance and function, and thus plays a key role in the carbon and nutrient cycling across terrestrial ecosystems.
Data for: Ant nests increase litter decomposition to mitigate the negative effect of warming in an alpine grassland ecosystem
<p>Warming can decrease feeding activity of soil organisms and affect biogeochemical cycles in alpine ecosystems. Ants (<em>Formica manchu</em>) are active on their nest surface, and prefer a hot and dry environment. Therefore, warming may provide a favorable environment for their activity. We hypothesized that ants might benefit from warming and increase the robustness of ecosystem functions to warming. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of ant nests (ant nest absence vs. ant nest presence) and warming (ambient temperature, + 1.3°C and + 2.3°C) on litter decomposition, soil properties and the plant community in an alpine grassland ecosystem. Decomposition stations with two mesh sizes were used to differentiate effects of microorganisms (0.05mm) and macroinvertebrate (1cm) to litter decomposition. Ant nests increased litter decomposition with and without macroinvertebrates accessing the decomposition station when compared to plots without ant nests. Only the litter decomposition in ant nests with macroinvertebrates accessing the decomposition station was not negatively affected by warming. Plots with ant nests had greater soil organic carbon, nutrient contents and plant growth than plots without ant nests, regardless of warming. Consequently, ant nests can mitigate the negative effects of warming on litter decomposition and improve ecosystem functions under warming.</p>
Data from: Warming-induced functional shifts in the decomposer community interact with plant community compositional shifts to impact litter decomposition
<ol> <li>Climate warming is altering plant and soil microbial communities, with important implications for ecosystem processes like litter decomposition. As warming alters plant community composition, quality of litter will change. Further, shifts in microbial community activity and/or composition will alter microbial function. However, it is not yet completely understood how these shifts will interact to drive decomposition.</li> <li>We explored how changes in plant and microbial communities interact to influence litter decomposition using a 15-year-old grassland warming experiment. Previous studies within this system have shown that warming shifted the microbial community in ways that accelerate litter decomposition while simultaneously shifting the plant community in ways that may slow decomposition. Specifically, warming increased abundance of <em>Sorghastrum</em> <em>nutans</em>, while decreasing abundance of the previously dominant <em>Schizachyrium</em> <em>scoparium</em>. Using a series of lab-based microcosm experiments, we examined the rate at which eight common grasses and, separately, varying abundances of <em>S. nutans </em>and<em> S. scoparium </em>decomposed. Using litter and soil from the warming experiment, we then incubated soils from warmed or control plots with different abundances of <em>S. nutans </em>and<em> S. scoparium</em> in a reciprocal design.</li> <li>We found <em>S. nutans</em> to be the slowest-decomposing grass in our system. Further, decomposition slowed as <em>S. nutans</em> increased and <em>S. scoparium</em> decreased. When examining the interaction of plant and microbial communities, decomposition was generally greater early in our experiment as the relative abundance of <em>S. scoparium </em>increased. However, soil microbial community origin and litter composition interacted significantly. Specifically, decomposition increased with greater relative abundance of <em>S. scoparium</em> on soils derived from control plots, while litter composition did not shape rates of decomposition on soils from warmed plots. The influence of litter species on decomposition waned in the later stages of the experiment when decomposition was driven by microbial community origin.</li> <li>These results suggest that warming-induced changes in microbial community function may interact with changes in plant litter composition to mitigate the impacts of warming on rates of decomposition. This emphasizes the importance of considering concurrent warming-induced changes in both plant and microbial communities on ecosystem processes like decomposition.</li> </ol>
Data for: Decomposability of leaf and wood litter are not correlated across species: Effects of litter traits on decomposition in field and laboratory conditions
<ol> <li>Changes in tree species composition have important effects on the overall rate of litter decomposition at a community level because litter decomposability varies among species and between leaf and wood litter. To understand how changes in tree species composition affect litter dynamics and carbon sequestration at the ecosystem level, it is important to clarify interspecific variations in leaf and wood litter decomposability and the traits driving the variation.</li> <li>Using field data, field experiments, and laboratory experiments, we explored rates of leaf and wood litter decomposition and their relationships to traits of ten deciduous hardwood species in a temperate forest in Japan. Rates of leaf and wood litter decomposition at the community level were also estimated by considering species-specific litter inputs and decomposition rates.</li> <li>Rates of leaf and wood litter decomposition were not correlated under either field or controlled laboratory conditions. This is probably because the traits that affect decomposition rate differ between leaf and wood litter. Interspecific variation in litter decomposability of leaves and wood was generally consistent between field conditions and laboratory experiments using a single fungus, suggesting that the decomposing fungi set the species-specific decomposition rates. Moreover, the leaf and wood traits that affected decomposition by their specific fungi were different. The aboveground input of wood litter was less than half that of leaf litter, but its half-life was >3 times longer, suggesting that wood and leaves make similar contributions to litter accumulation.</li> <li>Focusing on either leaf or wood litter alone may produce misleading estimates of how species composition changes affect litter dynamics at the community level. Our results provide insight into predicting the response of carbon dynamics to future climate change.</li> </ol>
Data from: Variation in home-field advantage and ability in leaf litter decomposition across successional gradients
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Data from: Plant-fungal symbiosis affects litter decomposition during primary succession
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Data from: A shady business: pine afforestation alters the primary controls on litter decomposition along a precipitation gradient in Patagonia, Argentina
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Data from: Partitioning the effect of composition and diversity of tree communities on leaf litter decomposition and soil respiration
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Data from: Riparian leaf litter decomposition on pond bottom after a retention on floating vegetation
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Data from: Nutrient limitation or home field advantage: does microbial community adaptation overcome nutrient limitation of litter decomposition in a tropical peatland?
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Data from: Evaluating community effects of a keystone ant, Azteca sericeasur, on Inga micheliana leaf litter decomposition in a shaded coffee agro-ecosystem
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Data from: Fungal communities influence decomposition rates of plant litter from two dominant trees species
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