Abstract
Litter, as an important carbon stock, plays a significant role in carbon and nitrogen cycle in forest soil. To examine the effects of Cinnamomum camphora leaf litter on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles, the contents of carbon and nitrogen were investigated in C. camphora leaf litter-covered forest soils with the water content of 10%, 20% and 30% under laboratory-controlled condition. The results showed that leaf litter cover significantly increased both soil CO2 emission rates and water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) content, but decreased soil nitrate nitrogen content under the three water conditions, indicating that leaf litter cover could improve soil respiration and carbon mineralization but inhibit soil nitration. Leaf litter cover significantly enhanced the content of soil ammonium with the water content of 10%, but reduced those in soils with water content of 20% and 30%, revealing that the effects of leaf litter cover on soil ammonium nitrogen contents was dependent on soil water content. The content of some monoterpenes in leaf litter had a significantly positive correlation with soil CO2 emission rate and ammonium content, but a prominently negative relation with soil WSOC and nitrate content, implying that the effects of leaf litter cover on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles might be attributed to monoterpenes in leaf litter.
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Schedule a callMore From: Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology
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