Leaf and twig litter decomposition of main species in different forests along the north slope of Changbai Mountain, northeast China

Abstract

From 2001 to 2003, the litter decomposition dynamics of dominant tree species were conducted using a litterbag burying method in the broadleaf-Korean pine forest, spruce-fir forest and Ermans birch forest, which represents three altitudinal belts in Changbai Mountain, northeast China. The spatial and temporal dynamics of litter decomposition and the effects of litter properties were examined. Furthermore, the decomposition trend of different species was simulated by the Olson model, and results showed that annual mass loss rates increased over time, but was not significantly correlated. Leaf decomposition rates increased after decomposing for 638 days (1.75 years), and the order of dry weight remaining rates of leaf litter for different species is: Asian white birch (Betula platyphylla) (24.56%) Asian white birch (0.624) > Korean pine (0.441) > spruce (0.406) > fir (0.397) > Ermans birch (0.385); in twig, it ranged from 7.8 to 29.3 years, and k follows the order: Amur linden (0.391) > fir (0.204) > Korean pine (0.176) > spruce (0.157) > Asian white birch (0.148) > Ermans birch (0.102). In general, the differences of decomposition rate are evident between leaf and twig litter and among species, and were higher in broad-leaved species compared with coniferous species at the same elevation, and decreased with the ascending of elevation.