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32 results for “litter quality”
Leaf litter quality induces morphological changes in wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) metamorphs, Oakland University Biological Preserve (MI, USA) 2010.
For organisms that exhibit complex life cycles, resource conditions experienced by individuals before metamorphosis can strongly affect phenotypes later in life. Such resource-induced effects are known to arise from variation in resource quantity, yet little is known regarding effects stemming from variation in resource quality (e.g., chemistry). For larval anurans, we hypothesized that variation in resource quality will induce a gradient of effects on metamorph morphology. We conducted an outdoor mesocosm experiment in which we manipulated resource quality by rearing larval wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) under 11 leaf litter treatments. The litter species represented plant species found in open- and closed-canopy wetlands and included many plant species of current conservation concern (e.g., green ash, common reed). Consistent with our hypothesis, we found a gradient of responses for nearly all mass-adjusted morphological dimensions. Hindlimb dimensions and gut mass were positively associated with litter nutrient content and decomposition rate. In contrast, forelimb length and head width were positively associated with concentrations of phenolic acids and dissolved organic carbon. Limb lengths and widths were positively related with the duration of larval period, and we discuss possible hormonal mechanisms underlying this relationship. There were very few, broad differences in morphological traits of metamorphs between open- and closed-canopy litter species or between litter and no-litter treatments. This suggests that the effects of litter on metamorph morphology are litter species-specific, indicating that the effects of changing plant community structure in and around wetlands will largely depend on plant species composition.
Figure 1 in Soil quality, leaf litter quality, and microbial biomass interactively drive soil respiration in a microcosm experiment
Figure 1. Principal components analysis of (A) soil quality and (B) leaf litter quality across the experimental treatments (Table S1-2). Soil quality was quantified as a combination of soil pH, C, N, and C:N; leaf litter quality was quantified as a combination of leaf Ca, C, lignin, Mg, N, P, C:N, C:P, and N:P. Soil and leaf litter were collected from Hainich National Park, Germany.
Leaf litter quality induces morphological and developmental changes in larval amphibians.
Aquatic consumers exhibit many types of inducible phenotypic responses to variation in resource quantity and quality. Leaf litter constitutes a primary resource in freshwater systems and variation in litter quality can alter the growth and development of aquatic consumers. It is therefore reasonable to hypothesize that variation in litter quality might also induce phenotypic changes in consumers. To test this hypothesis, we exposed two densities of wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus [Rana sylvatica]) tadpoles to six chemically distinct species of leaf litter from temperate broadleaf and coniferous trees. After several weeks, we quantified development rate, growth rate, intestinal length, size of the oral disc, and five external dimensions of the tadpoles. In addition to substantial changes in growth and development rates, we found striking changes in all morphological responses among different leaf litter environments, including up to 14% longer intestines, 11% deeper tails, and 6% deeper tail muscles. In addition, we found strong relationships of total nitrogen content with all morphological features except growth rate. Our results indicate that differences in resource quality can induce phenotypic changes that are as large as or larger than changes induced by resource quantity. Our study also has substantial implications for the future of aquatic consumers living in forested wetlands given that these forests are currently experiencing widespread changes in tree composition.
Data: Salt marsh litter quality and decomposition under sea-level rise scenarios: from leaves to fine absorptive roots
<p>litter chemical characteristic in salt marshes, including fine absorptive roots, fine transportive roots, rhizomes and leaves. </p> <p>mass loss of litter and chemical characteristics of those litter under sea level scenarios (manipulated in situ)</p>
Salt marsh litter quality and decomposition under sea-level rise scenarios: from leaves to fine absorptive roots
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Root litter quality incubation experiment
<p>The dataset contains data of a 2-year incubation experiment of C4 roots litter added to a C3 soil. The soil was sampled after 6, 12 and 24 months and fractionated into particulate organic carbon (POC) and mineral associated organic carbon (MAOC) and each fraction (plus the bulk soil) was measured for total carbon content as well as the abundance of the stable isotope 13C, to distinguish between old (native) and new (added) carbon. There are two files: One contains the raw data with measured C contents, delta 13C values, fraction weights and the subsequently calculated amounts of new and old carbon in all fractions. The second file is related to the first, but contains the final dataset which was used to produce the graphs and tables in the paper.</p>
Data from: Litter quality controls tradeoffs in soil carbon decomposition and replenishment in a subtropical forest
<p><span>Species-rich forests can produce litter of varying carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) composition (<em>i.e</em>., quality), which can affect decomposition and play a central role in long-term soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation. However, how differences in litter quality affect SOC decomposition and formation remains unclear over the full litter decomposition trajectory. </span></p> <p><span>We followed the <em>in-situ</em> complete decomposition of added <sup>13</sup>C-labelled high- (low C:N) and low-quality (high C:N) leaf-litter and its effect on particulate (POM) and mineral-associated (MAOM) organic matter fractions over two years in a natural subtropical forest.</span></p> <p><span>We found that during early stages of decomposition</span><span>, low-quality litter inputs decreased SOC via a positive priming effect (i.e., new C inputs favored decomposition of native SOC), but these SOC losses were offset by SOC gains observed via a negative priming effect during decomposition of high-quality litter. In contrast, this pattern reversed during </span><span>late</span><span> stages of decomposition</span><span>—SOC losses via a positive priming effect induced by </span><span>high-quality litter were offset by SOC gains via a negative priming effect induced by low-quality litter. </span><span>Over the full decomposition of litter, b</span><span>oth high- and low-quality litter stimulated</span><span> microbial breakdown of SOC tied to POM,</span><span> but </span><span>also replenished more persistent SOC that associated with soil minerals (MAOM).</span><span> Altogether, we observed</span><span> that low-quality litter formed twice as much new SOC as high-quality litter (24% vs. 12% of added litter-C). We extend the notion of the priming effect </span><span>from primarily a negative role promoting losses of native SOC, to a functional role that can replenish persistent SOC.</span> </p> <p><strong><em><span>Synthesis</span></em></strong><span><strong><em>.</em></strong> Our measurements</span><span> raise the possibility that, in species-rich forests, high- and low-quality litter decomposition play opposite but dynamically complementary roles in renewing POM—both by inducing its decomposition and formation—while exclusively favoring MAOM formation, which can help explain how differences in litter quality favor SOC accumulation and persistence. Global change factors that shift plant community composition may ultimately affect the fate of soil C, as changes in litter quality may force soil transitions </span><span>from sinks to sources or sources to sinks of atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub>.</span></p>
Effects of litter quality on foraging behaviour and demographic parameters in Folsomia candida (Collembola)
<p><span>Litter quality has long been associated with demographic parameters of Collembola populations. However, little is known about the capacity of Collembola to perceive and seek better litter quality. To address this gap, three complementary laboratory experiments were carried out with the Collembola <em>Folsomia candida</em>. First, populations were fed on three different types of leaf litters (<em>Quercus pubescens, Acer opalus </em>and<em> Prunus avium</em>) and a control (agar-agar-brewer's yeast mixture) for six weeks to assess their impacts on demography (reproduction rate and population size). Second, the body length of individuals differentially fed with the same four types of resources was measured to assess a functional trait that can potentially affect movement parameters such as prospected area or foraging speed. Third, <em>F. candida</em> isolated individuals were exposed to the same litter quality gradient and placed at increasing distances from the litter (from 1 to 5 cm). For ten minutes, their foraging behaviours were recorded which included their prospected area, foraging speed, perception distance and success in reaching the litter (foraging success). As expected, low-quality litter (i.e., <em>Q. pubescens</em>) contributed to low population growth compared to the control treatment and the high-quality litters (<em>P. avium </em>and<em> A. opalus</em>). In the third experiment, the probability of finding the resource was negatively correlated to the distance but was unrelated to the litter quality and the Collembola body length. When resource was perceived, F. candida was able to switch from non-directional to directional movements, with a large variability in the perception distance from a few millimeters to several centimeters. Taken together, our results indicate that litter quality plays a relevant role on Collembola demographic parameters once the population settles on litter patch, but not on foraging behaviour to select high-quality resources.<br></span></p>
Data and code from: Inverse effects of soil moisture and litter quality on litter decomposition along a gradient from hyper-arid to temperate climate
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Data from: Litter quality controls tradeoffs in soil carbon decomposition and replenishment in a subtropical forest
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Effects of litter quality on foraging behaviour and demographic parameters in Folsomia candida (Collembola)
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Soil nitrate and ammonium: Litter Quality and Landscape Controls of Decomposition
This experiment was established in November of 1990. It involved placing over a thousand preweighed and labeled oak and birch dowels in the field across the Cedar Creek landscape. The purpose is to measure the decomposition potential using a uniform common substrate across Cedar Creeks broad range of ecosystems. Each of the 27 sites have 11 above and 11 belowground dowels of birch and the same number of red oak. This allows for two samples the first year and one per year thereafter for 10 years. Each dowel is 12.7cm long and 1.27cm in diameter. Each dowel is preweighed and tagged. Belowground dowels are driven into the ground vertically and tethered to two pieces of rebar (birch on one, oak on the other) located about a meter apart. Aboveground dowels are laid on top of existing litter and are tethered to the rebars. Resin bags are tethered to the rebars and buried in the upper soil (ca. 5cm). Replicate sets of dowels and ion exchange resin bags (to measure N availability) were placed in 9 grassland, 9 forest, and 9 wetland sites. All 27 sites are in or adjacent to already established LTER plots. The first samples were collected in May 1991. On May 5, 1995, a wildfire burned completely through field B where some of experiment 88 was located.
Data from: Litter conversion into detritivore faeces reshuffles the quality control over C and N dynamics during decomposition
1. In many terrestrial ecosystems, detritivorous soil organisms ingest large amounts of leaf litter returning most of it to the soil as faeces. Such conversion of leaf litter into faeces may stimulate decomposition by increasing the surface area available for microbial colonization. Yet, experimental support for either the outcome or the mechanism of these conversion effects is lacking. 2. Based on the hypothesis that the identity of plant species from which leaf litter is transformed into faeces has a critical role in how faeces decomposition proceeds, we collected faeces of the widely abundant millipede Glomeris marginata fed with leaf litter from seven distinct tree species. We compared the physical and chemical characteristics and the rates of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) loss between litter and faeces. 3. We found that after 100 days of exposure under controlled conditions, C loss was on average higher in faeces (40%) than in litter (26.6%), with a significant increase for six out of the seven species. Concurrently, N dynamics switched from a net immobilisation (7.7%) in litter to a net release (14.6%) in faeces, with a significant increase for five out of the seven species. 4. Litter conversion into faeces generally homogenised differences in physical and chemical characteristics among species. Despite such homogenisation, variability in rates of faeces C and N loss among species was similar compared to leaf litter, but correlated with a different set of traits. Specifically, faecal pellet C loss was positively related to compaction (decreased specific area and increased density of faecal pellets), and both C and N loss from faecal pellets were positively related to fragmentation (increased specific area and perimeter of particles within faecal pellets). 5. We conclude that litter fragmentation and compaction into detritivore faecal pellets leads to substantially enhanced decomposition, with a particularly strong impact on N dynamics that changed from immobilisation to net release depending on litter species. Moreover, litter quality control on decomposition is reshuffled by litter conversion into faeces. In ecosystems with high detritivore abundance, this so far largely overlooked pathway of organic matter turnover may strongly affect ecosystem C and N cycling.
Data from: Biochemical determinants of litter quality in 15 species of Sphagnum
Background and aims: Sphagnum mosses are ecosystem engineers that create and maintain boreal peatlands. With unique biochemistry, waterlogging and acidifying capacities, they build up meters-thick layers of peat, reducing competition and impeding decomposition. We quantify within-genus differences in biochemical composition to make inferences about decay rates, related to hummock–hollow and fen–bog gradients and to phylogeny.Methods: We sampled litter from 15 Sphagnum species, abundant over the whole northern hemisphere. We used regression and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to evaluate general relationships between litter quality parameters and decay rates measured under laboratory and field conditions. Results: Both concentrations of the polysaccharide sphagnan and the soluble phenolics were positively correlated with intrinsic decay resistance, however, so were the previously understudied lignin-like phenolics. More resistant litter had more of all the important metabolites; consequently, PC1 scores were related to lab mass loss (R2 = 0.57). There was no such relationship with field mass loss, which is also affected by the environment. PCA also revealed that metabolites clearly group Sphagnum sections (subgenera). Conclusions: We suggest that the commonly stated growth-decomposition trade-off is largely due to litter quality. We show a strong phylogenetic control on Sphagnum metabolites, but their effects on decay are affected by nutrient availability in the habitat.
Data from: Altered leaf litter quality exacerbates the negative impact of climate change on decomposition
1.Leaf litter decomposition is a key component of global biogeochemical cycles that influences soil carbon storage, nutrient availability and plant productivity. Ongoing climate change will lead to warmer and drier conditions in many dryland regions, potentially affecting litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics. Climate change effects can be direct and/or indirect, e.g. through changes in litter quality, yet their relative importance on litter decomposition remains unclear. 2. We conducted a manipulative study in a semiarid shrubland to assess the effects of leaf litter quality, forecasted climate change, i.e. +2.5°C warming (W), 30% rainfall reduction (RR), as well as their interaction (W+RR) to elucidate their relative effects on litter decomposition. 3. Climatic effects alone reduced decomposition of a homogeneous control leaf litter collected from Helianthemum squamatum shrubs growing in unmanipulated plots by 23.4%, 18.1%, and 29.8% in the W, RR and W+RR treatments, respectively. Leaf litter quality was lower in shrubs that had been growing in warmed plots (W and W+RR), as they had lower nutrient concentrations (P, Fe) and higher C:N and C:P ratios than leaf litter produced under ambient (control) conditions. Lignin concentration was significantly lower in litter from W+RR plots, yet when both climate and litter quality were considered simultaneously, decomposition rates were 32.0%, 26.3% and 39.9% lower in W, RR and W+RR plots compared to controls. In addition, we found greater microbial N immobilization in leaf litter incubated within warmed (W and W+RR) than within non‐warmed plots (Control and RR). Structural equation modelling showed that higher litter moisture and microbial biomass contents stimulated decomposition. Simulated climate change (W, RR and W+RR) reduced decomposition indirectly by negatively affecting litter moisture contents and litter microbial biomass. Microbial nitrogen immobilization was stimulated by the lower quality (i.e. high C:N ratios) of the leaf litter collected in shrubs from warmed plots (W and W+RR). 4. Synthesis Our findings indicate that forecasted climate change conditions slow down C and N cycling in a dryland ecosystem, an effect that is further exacerbated by climate change‐induced reductions in litter quality and related reductions in bacterial and fungal biomass in litter.
Initial litter quality drives the consistent negative effects of fauna exclusion on litter decomposition in diverse ecosystems: A global meta-analysis
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Aim:</span></strong> <span>Despite the extensive research done on the consequences of faunal impacts on litter decomposition in different experimental contexts, a thorough assessment of their impacts and causes in various habitats around the world is still missing. Here, we aimed to explore general patterns and key drivers (e.g.,</span> <span>climate, environment, litter quality) of faunal effects on litter decomposition in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Location: </span></strong><span>Global.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Time period: </span></strong><span>1980-2022.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Major taxa studied: </span></strong><span>Plant litter and fauna.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Methods: </span></strong><span>We investigate the effects of fauna exclusion on litter decomposition in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems through a meta-analysis of 819 pairs of observations from 110 studies on terrestrial litter decomposition and 402 pairs of observations from 60 studies on aquatic litter decomposition.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Results: </span></strong><span>Fauna exclusion reduced litter decomposition rates in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 34% and 46% on average, respectively. In terrestrial ecosystems, the faunal effects differed among climate zone, precipitation level, and decomposition duration. Faunal effects were larger in warmer and moister climates, and decreased with the extension of decomposition time. However, in aquatic ecosystems, these moderating variables did not affect the negative effects of fauna exclusion. We also found that the faunal effects on litter decomposition were mainly associated with the initial litter quality and climate in terrestrial ecosystems, and with the initial litter quality in aquatic ecosystems.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Main conclusions: </span></strong><span>Fauna exclusion had consistent negative effects on litter decay in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and </span><span>initial litter </span><span>quality was the main factor that determined the extent of faunal effects on litter decomposition. Our findings highlight the significance of fauna diversity</span><span> </span><span><span>conservation worldwide, and underscore the need to incorporate fauna effects into dynamic models of litter decomposition in order to examine the effects and processes of land-water-atmosphere carbon fluxes.</span></span></p>
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>
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>
Distribution. Mt Cameroon, W Cameroon, and Bioko I, Equatorial Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100- 130 mm, tail 110-147 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 21-25 mm; weight 27-62 g. Fur of the Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is dark rufous-brown to blackish brown above and pale to dark gray below. Tail is very long (c.112% of head-body length) and dark. Hindfeet and forefeet are dark brown. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Montane forest and alpine grassland at elevations above 1000 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Gestation lasts 26-30 days. Litters have 2-6 young. Activity patterns. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse occurs in two disjunct areas occupying only ¢.2900 km? and the extent and quality of its forest habitat continue to decline. Bibliography. Eisentraut (1970, 1973), Happold (2013a), Missoup et al. (2012), Monadjem etal. (2015). in Muridae
Distribution. Mt Cameroon, W Cameroon, and Bioko I, Equatorial Guinea. Descriptive notes. Head-body 100- 130 mm, tail 110-147 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 21-25 mm; weight 27-62 g. Fur of the Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is dark rufous-brown to blackish brown above and pale to dark gray below. Tail is very long (c.112% of head-body length) and dark. Hindfeet and forefeet are dark brown. Females have three pairs of nipples. Habitat. Montane forest and alpine grassland at elevations above 1000 m. Food and Feeding. No information. Breeding. Gestation lasts 26-30 days. Litters have 2-6 young. Activity patterns. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse is nocturnal and terrestrial. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse occurs in two disjunct areas occupying only ¢.2900 km? and the extent and quality of its forest habitat continue to decline. Bibliography. Eisentraut (1970, 1973), Happold (2013a), Missoup et al. (2012), Monadjem etal. (2015).
Data from: Biochemical determinants of litter quality in 15 species of Sphagnum
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