Abstract
Accurate determination of annual leaf litter amount constitutes the basis of scientific leaf litter nutrient release assessment. In this study, we tried to establish an equation between leaf litter amount and relevant tree characteristics of Populus euphratica (P. euphratica) tree on an individual scale, and to find the leaf litter nutrient content variation within 760 d incubation experiment in the main channel of the Tarim River, China. Results showed that there was no proper equation between leaf litter amount and tree height or diameter at breast height. There was great difference in leaf litter amount on an individual scale. The mean annual leaf litter amount per tree was 10.2, 14.83 kg/y obtained by field survey and the equation between annual leaf litter amount and canopy area on an individual scale, respectively. Leaf litter mass changed over incubation time and exhibited three main phases: an initial slow decomposition phase (0–173 d) with mass loss; a rapid mass loss phase (173–290 d); and a second rapid mass loss phase (470–560 d). Overall, carbon (C) and potassium (K) content decreased, and nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content increased in a fluctuating manner over time in the P. euphratica leaf litter.
Highlights
The objectives of this research were to find a biomass equation between P. euphratica leaf litter amount and the tree characteristics, quantitatively estimate P. euphratica forest annual leaf litter amount, leaf litter nutrient release with incubation time and to discuss possible ecological effects induced by changes in leaf litter amount
We studied leaf litter decomposition and nutrient change using litterbags
This study provided some basic data on the leaf litter decomposition rates and nutrients change, which will be benefit further research in future
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Desert riparian forest, an important vegetation type and forest resources for the inland river valley in arid zones, is a natural protection shield for the ecological system in the arid regions of Northwest China. The natural riparian vegetation consisting of trees, shrubs, and herbage was prone to grow with flooding, or disappeared with the variation of the river course. Populus euphratica Oliv., one of the first confirmed 388 rare and endangered plants in China, is the oldest and most primitive deciduous tree of desert riparian forests
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