Abstract
BackgroundLitter decomposition greatly influences soil structure, nutrient content and carbon sequestration, but how litter decomposition is affected by climate change is still not well understood.Methodology/Principal FindingsA field experiment with increased temperature and nitrogen (N) addition was established in April 2007 to examine the effects of experimental warming, N addition and their interaction on litter decomposition in a temperate meadow steppe in northeastern China. Warming, N addition and warming plus N addition reduced the residual mass of L. chinensis litter by 3.78%, 7.51% and 4.53%, respectively, in 2008 and 2009, and by 4.73%, 24.08% and 16.1%, respectively, in 2010. Warming, N addition and warming plus N addition had no effect on the decomposition of P. communis litter in 2008 or 2009, but reduced the residual litter mass by 5.58%, 15.53% and 5.17%, respectively, in 2010. Warming and N addition reduced the cellulose percentage of L. chinensis and P. communis, specifically in 2010. The lignin percentage of L. chinensis and P. communis was reduced by warming but increased by N addition. The C, N and P contents of L. chinensis and P. communis litter increased with time. Warming and N addition reduced the C content and C:N ratios of L. chinensisand P. communis litter, but increased the N and P contents. Significant interactive effects of warming and N addition on litter decomposition were observed (P<0.01).Conclusion/SignificanceThe litter decomposition rate was highly correlated with soil temperature, soil water content and litter quality. Warming and N addition significantly impacted the litter decomposition rate in the Songnen meadow ecosystem, and the effects of warming and N addition on litter decomposition were also influenced by the quality of litter. These results highlight how climate change could alter grassland ecosystem carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in soil by influencing litter decomposition.
Highlights
Litter provides important energy and nutrient sources for microbial metabolism [1] and stores most of the belowground carbon in an ecosystem [2]
After 3 years of warming, most of the initial litter chemistry parameters had changed considerably, e.g., warming increased N and P contents, and reduced C contents, C:N ratios, cellulose and lignin contents. These results indicate that warming improved litter quality, resulting in increased litter decomposition rates
The litter quality of L. chinensis was higher than P. communis
Summary
Litter provides important energy and nutrient sources for microbial metabolism [1] and stores most of the belowground carbon in an ecosystem [2]. The factors associated with litter decomposition are primarily driven by micro- and macro-organismic activities (i.e., microbes, arthropods), litter quality (i.e., litter carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), C:N ratios and lignin), climate (i.e., temperature and moisture), and the abundance of decomposers [3,4]. Any changes in litter quality and climate will affect litter decomposition. Potential changes in decomposition rates and associated C loss and N and P release and/or immobilization from litter under global climate change will influence plant productivity and global C, N and P cycling [3,11]. Litter decomposition greatly influences soil structure, nutrient content and carbon sequestration, but how litter decomposition is affected by climate change is still not well understood
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