Assessment of litter availability and its quality plasticity of four wild species of the Indian arid environment

Abstract

Wild plant species are crucial component for ecosystem stability and also affecting the nutrient dynamics of the system. However, there are relatively few experimental tests to assess their litter availability (biomass) and quality. In the present study, the litter potential and their quality plasticity of four wild arid plant species (Tephrosia purpurea, Aerva persica, Clerodendrum phlomidis and Calotropis procera) of the Indian hot arid desert have been assessed through correlated component regression and with various chemical parameters. The spatial impacts on litter availability and quality were tested with ANOVA, Levene’s and Tukey’s tests. Proximity or distances of species variables with site factors and interrelationships among morphological and chemical parameters were visualized through principal component analysis. Site factor significantly influences the estimated litter availability for T. purpurea and A. persica. Significant spatial effects were also observed for litter quality parameters like cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, carbon, nitrogen, lignin:N and lignin + polyphenol:N. Trait plasticity suggested that spatial factor influenced biochemical parameters more compared to their morphological parameters of the studied species. The results of the present study can be followed with future research pertaining to decomposition patterns of litter, impacts of litter on plant community dynamics and their role in plant production.