Abstract
Litter decomposition is of crucial importance for sustainable production in forest ecosystems with pedoclimatic conditions and nutrients being the main factors controlling litter decomposition. In particular, manganese (Mn) could accelerate decomposition of litter in the lignin-dominated (late) stage. Correlations between Mn concentration and litter decay rate were previously reported and explained by the role of Mn2+ in lignin degradation as a cofactor of the enzyme manganese peroxidase. However, the role of Mn in litter decay has been little experimentally tested yet. This study aims to assess the increased decomposition rate of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) leaf litter experimentally enriched in Mn (0.9–17.0 mg g−1) using a litterbag experiment (500 days of in situ incubation). Mass loss and acid unhydrolyzable residue, Mn, carbon (C), and dissolved organic carbon were determined in remaining materials and litter leachates. Our results showed a positive influence of Mn on litter and C decay and on the release of hydrophobic dissolved organic C. We explained these results by an enhanced ligninolysis leading to an increase in dissolved polyphenolic compounds.
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