Litter Decomposition Processes Research Articles

Enzymatic activity of soils and soil organic matter stabilization as an effect of components released from the decomposition of litter

The processes associated with litter decomposition are closely related to nutrient circulation in forest ecosystems. This study attempted to determine the role of nutrients, especially C and N, released by the decomposition of litter of different tree species in enzymatic activity and soil organic matter stabilization. In the study, we attempted to exclude the influence of soil properties, especially texture, on enzymatic activity and soil organic matter stabilization. Four areas covered by ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), oak (Quercus robur L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands were selected. Throughout the study period, the litter properties of four tree species and the chemical composition of the filtrate released during litter decomposition were determined. The activity of enzymes involved in C, N, P and S cycles, as well as soil organic matter fractions, were recorded. The activity of the enzymes was determined specifically by the carbon substrates released during the process of litter decomposition. A strong correlation between enzymatic activity and the amount of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released from the decomposing litter was demonstrated. The effect of tree species could be observed in the amount of carbon and nitrogen of the light and heavy fractions of soil organic matter. The lowest C/N ratio in all fractions of organic matter was determined for ash stand soils that were characterized by having the highest amount of the heavy fraction of soil organic matter.

Effects of experimental nitrogen enrichment on soil properties and litter decomposition in a Neotropical savanna

AbstractThe amount of reactive nitrogen has more than doubled in terrestrial ecosystems due to human activities such fertiliser application that is predicted to increase dramatically in coming decades. We conducted a 3‐year experiment in a Neotropical savanna in which we determined the effects of increased N deposition on litter decomposition in plots subjected to different levels of N addition (50 kg N ha−1 year−2, 20 kg N ha−1 year−2, or no N addition). For this, we compared the litter decomposition from the bunchgrass Tristachya leiostachya using litter collected from plots with different N addition treatments. Five randomly selected bags of litter from each N addition treatment (origin) were distributed to each plot (destination). We also compared litter nitrogen (N) concentration and indicators of microbial activity (basal respiration, carbon of microbial biomass, metabolic quotient, enzyme activity) in all plots. We found that nitrogen addition influences litter decay, but in idiosyncratic ways that differ between years. In year 1, litter decomposed faster in high‐N addition plots than in low‐N and control plots, regardless of its origin. In contrast, litter from high‐N addition plots decomposing fastest in year 2, regardless of its destination. Finally, there was no effect of either litter origin or destination on the rate of decomposition in year 3. Litter collected in high‐N addition plots had a concentration of N 12–17% higher than litter collected in other plots and higher in 2009 than in other years. Four years after the beginning of the fertilisation experiment, concentration and the microbial activity in the soil did not differ between the treatments. Our findings suggest that the levels of N addition predicted for Neotropical savannas can alter litter N concentrations and the process of litter decomposition, but that the direction and magnitude of these changes may be challenging to predict since that precipitation can influence the mechanisms regulating decomposition in the Cerrado.

Naphthalene exerts non-target effects on the abundance of active fungi by stimulating basidiomycete abundance

As an arthropod biocide, naphthalene has been used in studies of the ecological functions of soil fauna for decades. However, its potential non-target effects on soil microorganisms may affect soil mineralization and litter decomposition processes. Therefore, we conducted an experiment with naphthalene adding to soil surface at a rate of 100 g·m−2 per month to examine the potential non-target effects of this treatment on soil fungal phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), 18S rDNA gene copy numbers and community diversity in a subalpine forest of western Sichuan, China. The results showed that naphthalene addition significantly increased fungal PLFAs but did not significantly alter fungal gene copy numbers. A total of 16 phyla, 62 genera and 147 Operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified through Illumina MiSeq sequencing analysis. Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were the most abundant phyla in both the control and naphthalene addition plots. Naphthalene addition did not affect the diversity or structure of the soil fungal community, but the increase in some genera of Basidiomycota might contribute to the increase in fungal PLFAs in the naphthalene addition plots. These results suggest that naphthalene exerts non-target effects on the active fungal abundance by stimulating the abundance of specific taxa in subalpine forest soils. The non-target effects of naphthalene on the fungal community should be taken into consideration when it is used to exclude soil fauna.

Combined effects of freshwater salinization and leaf traits on litter decomposition

Freshwater salinization is a matter of major global concern due to its consequences on the aquatic biota and ecosystems functioning. Salt contamination negatively affects the leaf litter decomposition process, a key ecosystem-level process in forested streams that contributes to the recycling of nutrients and carbon storage. However, information on how additional factors may influence the magnitude of the response to salinization is scarce. In this microcosm study we assessed the importance of leaf (Castanea sativa; Quercus robur) traits, on aquatic hyphomycetes-mediated leaf litter decomposition and associated variables, in salt-contaminated (0, 1, 3 and 6 g/l NaCl) environments. The leaves were incubated individually, and in a mixture, for 28 days, under each tested salt concentration. Salinity depressed leaf mass loss, fungal biomass, respiration and sporulation rates, particularly at the highest salt concentration. Differences across leaf categories were observed in all parameters but fungal biomass, although the effects were not consistent across descriptors. All leaf categories responded with a similar intensity to salt contamination for all measured variables but sporulation rate. These results suggest that the deleterious influence of salt on litter decomposition occurs independently of the traits of the stream riparian subsidies.

Drought conditions alter litter decomposition and nutrient release of litter types in an agroforestry system of China.

Evaluating how decomposition rates and litter nutrient release of different litter types respond to changes in water conditions is crucial for understanding global carbon and nutrient cycling. However, it is unclear how decreasing water affects litter mixture interactions for the maize–poplar system in arid regions. Here, the responses of the litter decomposition process and litter mixture interactions in the agroforestry system to changes in water conditions (control, light drought, and moderate drought) were tested. Moderate drought significantly decreased the decomposition rate for poplar leaf and mixed litters, and decomposition rate was significantly reduced for maize straw litter in light and moderate drought stress. The mass loss rates of maize straw and mixed litters were significantly higher than that of the poplar leaf litter under drought conditions, but there was no significant difference among the three litter types in the control. There was no interaction between mass loss of the mixed litter in the control and light drought conditions, and the litter mixture interaction showed nonadditive synergistic interactions under moderate drought. In terms of nutrient release, there was also no interaction between litter mixture with nitrogen and carbon, but there was antagonistic interaction with potassium release under the light drought condition. Our results demonstrate that drought conditions can lead to decreasing decomposition rate and strong changes in the litter mixture interactions from additive effects to nonadditive synergistic effects in moderate drought. Moreover, light drought changed the mixture interaction from an additive effect to an antagonistic interaction for potassium release.

Effects of Litter Quality Diminish and Effects of Vegetation Type Develop During Litter Decomposition of Two Shrub Species in an Alpine Treeline Ecotone

Because climate change is predicted to have a strong impact on high-altitude ecosystems, a better knowledge of litter decomposition in alpine ecosystems is critical to improve our predictions of the effect of climate change on ecosystem processes and services such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and below-ground biodiversity. To evaluate the effects of vegetation types [alpine shrubland (AS) and alpine meadow (AM)] and litter quality on litter decomposition and related biochemical processes, the decomposition of leaf litter of two dominant shrub species, Sorbus rufopilosa (SR, high quality) and Rhododendron lapponicum (RL, low quality), was studied using the litterbag method in an alpine treeline ecotone on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. After 1 year of decomposition, cellulolytic enzyme activities and gram-negative bacterial biomass were higher in shrubland than in meadow. However, higher fungal biomass, fungal/bacteria ratio and ligninolytic activity were observed in meadow than in shrubland after 2 years of decomposition. During the first year of decomposition, litter decomposition was faster in shrubland than in meadow probably due to the home-field advantage (HFA) effect and the bacteria-dominated decomposition, whereas in later decomposition stages, litter decomposition was faster in meadow than in shrubland, as the HFA effect diminished and fungal-dominated decomposition of recalcitrant components took over. These results indicated that litter quality effects were generally strongest in the first year and diminished in later stages when the effect of vegetation type in incubation sites developed.

Terrestrial Isopods Porcellio scaber and Oniscus asellus (Crustacea: Isopoda) Increase Bacterial Abundance and Modify Microbial Community Structure in Leaf Litter Microcosms: a Short-Term Decomposition Study.

Invasive terrestrial isopods are likely to have altered leaf litter decomposition processes in North American forests, but the mechanisms underlying these alterations and the degree to which they differ among isopod species are poorly characterized. Using mixed-deciduous leaf litter microcosms, we quantified the effects of two common, invasive isopods (Oniscus asellus and Porcellio scaber) on short-term leaf litter decomposition and microbial community structure and function. Microcosms containing ground litter and a microbial inoculant were exposed to one of the two isopod species or no isopods for 21 days. Mass loss was then quantified as the change in litter dry mass after leaching, and microbial respiration was quantified as the mass of CO2 absorbed by soda lime. Litter leachates were plated on agar to quantify culturable bacterial and fungal abundance, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of amplified leachate microbial DNA was used to characterize shifts in microbial community structure. Isopod presence increased litter mass loss by a modest ~ 6%, but did not affect litter microbial respiration. Bacterial abundance increased significantly in the presence of isopods, while fungal abundance was either unchanged or reduced. Overall litter microbial species richness was reduced by isopods, with O. asellus specifically reducing fungal abundance and diversity. Isopods modified the microbial community structure by suppressing four bacterial and one fungal species, while promoting growth of four other bacterial species (two unique to each isopod species) and two fungal species (one which was unique to O. asellus).

Litter decomposition process dramatically declines the allelopathy of Solidago canadensis L. on the seed germination and seedling growth of Lactuca sativa L.

A variety of invasive alien species (IAS) can trigger distinct allelopathy on the seed germination and seedling growth (SGeSGr) of native plant species (NPS) mainly through the released allelochemicals. However, the decomposition process of IAS litters may affect their allelopathy on SGeSGr of NPS because part of the allelochemicals will be released during the litter decomposition process, especially under heavy metal pollution. This study focuses on the impacts of the litter decomposition process of the notorious IAS Solidago canadensis L. on its allelopathy on SGeSGr of NPS Lactuca sativa L. under cadmium (Cd) pollution. The decomposition process signally declines the allelopathy of S. canadensis litters on SGeSGr of L. sativa likely because partial allelochemicals in S. canadensis litters discharged during the decomposition process. Cd addition noticeably rises the allelopathy of S. canadensis litters on SGeSGr of L. sativa probably because Cd can reduce plant growth largely via the improved lipid membrane permeability and the induced reactive oxygen molecules which is unfavorable to plant cell metabolism. This phenomenon may also be attributed to the weak acid properties of one of the most abundant allelochemicals in S. canadensis litters, i.e., phenolics (particularly polyphenols), can improve the solubility and the toxicity of Cd.

Termite Control of Leaf Litter Decomposition of Eight Selected Plant Species of Sudano-guinea Savannahs of Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Few studies on effects of termites on litter decomposition have been done in African savannahs, particularly in the Adamawa savannahs of Cameroon. In the framework of management of resource quality to restore or improve soil fertility of farming systems of Sudano-guinea savannahs of Ngaoundere, Cameroon, study on termites’ control of leaf litter decomposition of eight plant species was conducted on the field. The selected plant species are Bixa orellana, Erythrina sigmoïdea, Ficus polita, Maytenus senegalensis, Mucuna stans, Piliostigma thonningii, Vitex madiensis and Vitellaria paradoxa. Leaf litter samples were incubated in situ using litterbags of 2 mm mesh during 24 weeks in two plots out of canopy, corresponding to two treatments, with and without termites. Experimental design was split-plot with three replications. Collected data was carried out on litter dry mass remaining (LMR). Results showed total mass loss at the end of incubation time (24 weeks) and decomposition rate constants (k) differed significantly among plant species for the two treatments. The values ranged respectively from 23.05% and 0.012 week-1 in V. madiensis to 61.93% of initial dry mass and 0.046 week-1 in P. thonningii for treatment without termites and from 43.88% and 0.022 week-1 in B. orellana to 91.51% and 0.095 week-1 in P. thonningii for treatment with termites. These macro organisms fasted litter decomposition in all plant species, with intensity variation according to species. Litter mass loss and decomposition rate constant (k) correlated with litter thickness, density, area and specific area mass, and these relationships were influenced by the presence of termites. Globally litter decomposition was influenced by termite activities and resource quality. These results contributed to understand litter decomposition process in the sudano-guinea savannahs of Ngaoundere in order improve soil fertility, nutrient cycling and some plant species domestication.

Litter leachates have stronger impact than leaf litter on Folsomia candida fitness

It is well known that soil physico-chemical conditions and the nature of organic matter have important effects on soil micro-arthropod communities, including collembolans. However, mechanisms by which the physical or chemical quality of litter influence collembolan communities remain unclear. Plant secondary metabolites are partially released in soils through leaf and litter leaching and decomposition, and can have a strong influence on soil communities and their activity. In order to disentangle effects of the water-soluble compounds contained in the litter versus its physical effect, a microcosm experiment was set up exposing the collembola species Folsomia candida to either litter or litter leachates mixed to the substratum. Litter from three species with different chemical properties and one mixture (hybrid poplar, white spruce, grass and a mixture of poplar – spruce litter) and two concentrations of litter leachates (at 5% and 10% concentration) were used in microcosm experiments. After 30 days of incubation, reproduction and mortality rates of F. candida were assessed. Results showed that the tree litter leachates had a stronger impact on collembolan fitness compared to the litter itself, with a net reduction of survival and reproduction rates. Between 78 and 100% of mortality was observed in microcosms that received tree leachates, indicating a strong influence of the soluble compounds contained in tree leaves on collembolan. In contrast, collembolan reproduction was positively affected by the grass litter or 10% grass litter leachates compared to control (water). Our findings help to understand how chemical properties and leaf leaching may have important impacts on micro-arthropods communities and litter decomposition processes.

Mass loss and nutrient release during the decomposition of sixteen types of plant litter with contrasting quality under three precipitation regimes.

Mass loss and nutrient release during litter decomposition drive biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. However, the relationship between the litter decomposition process and the decomposition stage, precipitation, and litter quality has rarely been addressed, precluding our understanding of how litter decomposition regulates nutrient cycling in various ecosystems and their responses to climate change. In this study, we measured mass loss as well as carbon and nutrient releases during the decomposition of 16 types of leaf litter under three precipitation treatments over 12 months in a common garden experiment (i.e., using standardized soil and climatic conditions). Sixteen types of leaves were divided into three functional groups (evergreen, deciduous, and herbaceous). The objectives were to understand the effects of decomposition stages and precipitation regimes on litter decomposition and to examine the relationship between this effect and chemical properties. The mass loss and release of nitrogen and potassium were significantly higher in the 6‐ to 12‐month stage of decomposition (high temperature and humidity) than in the 0‐ to 6‐month stage. Phosphorus was relatively enriched in evergreen leaves after 6 months of decomposition. The rates of mass loss and nutrient release were significantly greater in herbaceous than in deciduous and evergreen leaves. Increasing precipitation from 400 to 800 mm accelerated mass loss and potassium release but decreased phosphorus release in the 0‐ to 6‐month stage of decomposition. These results highlighted the contribution to and complexity of litter chemical properties in litter decomposition.

Effects of Seasonality, Tree Species and Urban Green Space on Deciduous Leaf Litter Decomposition in Lithuania

Understanding ecological processes and environmental change in different urban green spaces is an important challenge to secure human well-being. The variety of urban green spaces provides a platform to generate knowledge on how urban environments affect tree leaf decomposition and quality. We measured the leaf litter decomposition of four dominant native deciduous tree species from five different urban green spaces over three time periods in Kaunas, Lithuania. Using the modified litter bag technique, we calculated the decomposition of 60 leaf litter samples for 4, 8, and 12 months respectively. For each leaf litter sample, we determined total N, total P, and organic C. Results indicated that the decomposition of leaf litter amongst tree species, urban green spaces and seasonality (time) were significantly different. The leaf litter of Betula pendula and Acer platanoides from street green spaces decomposed fastest during the spring-summer period. Quercus robur showed small but significant leaf litter loss differences between the green spaces, with the leaf litter from peri-urban forest decomposing the fastest. A decreased C:N ratio for Q. robur leaf litter showed accelerated leaf litter decay. In conclusion, our results show that the ecological processes of leaf litter decomposition, differs between tree species, type of urban green spaces and seasonality and thus must be considered in urban town planning to help maintain urban environments.

冻融循环对川西亚高山森林土壤酶活性的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 冻融循环对川西亚高山森林土壤酶活性的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201902250355 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金青年项目（31700542）；重点实验室开放基金（四川省科技厅）（ESP1704） Effects of the freeze-thaw cycle on soil enzyme activities in a sub-alpine forest in western Sichuan Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:土壤酶活性的研究有助于认识植物-微生物-土壤有机质之间的相互关系，土壤酶的生产遵循"经济法则"，冻融循环将会改变生产土壤酶的资源分配，最终影响土壤的有机质分解过程。亚高山森林土壤具有明显的季节性冻融循环，为深入研究亚高山森林冬季土壤生态过程，以川西亚高山针阔混交林、针叶林以及阔叶林土壤为研究对象，通过室内培养研究冻融循环对6种与碳（C）、氮（N）、磷（P）相关土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明，与N和P相关的土壤β-N-乙酰葡萄糖苷酶、磷酸酶活性受冻融循环影响显著，其中，β-N-乙酰葡萄糖苷酶活性在整个冻融处理过程中表现出先升高后降低并趋于平稳的趋势，磷酸酶活性在后期明显增加。与C相关的土壤纤维素酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、过氧化物酶、多酚氧化酶在冻融循环过程中没有显著变化。林型对土壤酶活性产生了显著影响。其中，阔叶林的土壤纤维素酶活性显著低于针叶林；阔叶林的土壤过氧化物酶活性显著低于针阔混交林和针叶林；针叶林的土壤磷酸酶活性显著高于针阔混交林和阔叶林。冻融循环和林型的交互作用对土壤酶活性没有显著影响。结果表明，该地区土壤酶活性对冻融循环响应存在差异，气候变化引起的冻融循环将进一步影响川西亚高山森林土壤生态系统的有机质分解过程。 Abstract:Research on soil enzyme activities is beneficial to identify relationships between plants, microbes, and soil organic matter. Freeze-thaw cycles will change resource allocations for the production of soil extracellular enzymes, which affects organic matter decomposition processes in the soil. Based on the pre-recognition of sub-alpine seasonal freeze-thaw cycles and considering typical coniferous-broadleaf mixed forest, coniferous forest, and broadleaf forest soil in the sub-alpine region of western Sichuan, we controlled the freeze-thaw environment and analyzed the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on enzyme activities in the soil, including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. According to the results, the freeze-thaw cycles had a significant impact on β-N-acetylglucosidase and phosphatase activities associated with soil N and P. The activity of β-N-acetylglucosidase was elevated at the beginning of freeze-thaw period and then decreased with an increase in freeze-thaw frequency. The phosphatase activity increased significantly in the later portion of the freeze-thaw cycle. However, the freeze-thaw cycle had no significant effect on C-related soil enzyme activities. The changes in C-related soil enzyme activities in this study were more determined by litter decomposition processes and forest types. Among them, cellulase and β-glucosidase activities were significantly correlated with the decomposition process of organic matter. The limiting factors of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase and low temperature and low oxygen were still present in this test, so the activities of these two enzymes did not change significantly. On the other hand, the effect of forest types on cellulase, peroxidase and phosphatase activities was significant. The soil cellulase activity of broadleaf forest was significantly lower than that of coniferous forest. The peroxidase activity of broadleaf forest soil was significantly lower than that of coniferous-broadleaf mixed forest and coniferous forest. The soil phosphatase activity of coniferous forest soil was significantly higher than that of coniferous-broadleaf mixed forest and broadleaf forest. Our results indicate that the effects of the freeze-thaw cycles on extracellular enzyme activities in the soil vary in this area. Freeze-thaw cycles that result from climate change will further influence the organic matter decomposition processes of the soil ecology system in the sub-alpine forest in western Sichuan. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Litter Spider Communities and their Effects on Invertebrate Fauna and Decomposing Rates in Nanjenshan Rain Forest, Taiwan

Spiders are among the most important predators in forest litter layer that control food chain and decomposition process. However, little is known about the changes in litter-spider communities from wind-exposed to wind-shielded areas during monsoon seasons, and their roles in litter arthropod distribution and decomposition processes. In the present study, the densities and diversities of the spider communities in litter were examined at the two locations in monsoon and non-monsoon seasons in southern Taiwan. Enclosures with/without the spider Ctenus yaeyamensi were set up to compare litter arthropod distribution and decomposition rates in litterbags in different sampling units. It was found that the mean density of litter spiders was significantly greater in wind-shielded area than wind-exposed area. There was a marked impact of structure and depth of litter layers on guild composition, but not on the diversity indices of the litter spider communities. The litter invertebrates and decomposition rates did not differ between enclosures with/without spiders. However, there was a marked difference in litter arthropod abundance between monsoon and non-monsoon seasons in wind-exposed areas. The decomposition rate was remarkably greater in non-monsoon seasons than in monsoon seasons, whereas there were no marked differences between wind-shielded and wind-exposed locations. It was concluded that litter arthropod distribution and related decomposition were affected by variation of monsoon seasons but not by spider presence/absence in Nanjenshan Rain Forest.

Understory vegetation removal reduces the incidence of non-additive mass loss during leaf litter decomposition in a subtropical Pinus massoniana plantation

Improvement cutting or harvesting can change the coverage of understory vegetation, which can significantly influence the litter decomposition process in plantations. However, difference in potential non-additive mass loss in response to understory vegetation changes is poorly studied. A field litterbag experiment involving various litter types and treatments with no understory vegetation removal, shrub removal, herb removal and whole-understory vegetation removal was conducted to examine non-additive mass loss. During approximately 2 years of decomposition, the decomposition rate of shrub and herb components was accelerated in the mixed litter with full understory vegetation. There was significant non-additive mass loss during decomposition in the plots with trees, shrubs and herbs, while the incidence of non-additive mass loss was lower in the plots with understory vegetation removal. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the expected mass loss calculated with the data from the corresponding decomposition plots and that calculated with the data from the plots with whole-understory vegetation removal. Our results show that understory vegetation removal can inhibit litter decomposition in Masson pine plantation ecosystems in subtropical China. We highlight that non-additive litter decomposition should be assessed on the basis of litter species composition and decomposition microenvironments in situ.

Isolation and identification of decomposer fungi from Macaranga indica and Hibiscus macrophyllus leaf litter from restoration area of Gunung Leuser National Park

Leaves mostly litter on the forest floor. The process of leaf litter decomposition involves the role of microorganisms such as fungi. The study aimed to isolating and identifying the fungi of Macaranga indica and Hibiscus macrophyllus leaf litter. The leaf litter was taken under the stand of Macaranga indica and Hibiscus macrophyllus in the restoration area of Gunung Leuser National Park Sei Betung Resort North Sumatra. Fungi were isolated using the direct plating methods with Potato Dextrose Agar medium. The purified fungi were then identified morphologically to the genus level. Morphological identification carried out by looking at the macroscopic and microscopic features of fungi. There were six isolates from Macaranga indica leaf litter and eight isolates from Hibiscus macrophyllus leaf litter. The result shows that there are five genera of fungi consisting of Aspergillus, Penicillium, Mucor, Trichoderma, and Cladosporium.

Succession of litter-decomposing microbial organisms in deciduous birch and oak forests, northern Japan

Biological litter decomposition and the litter-associated microbial organisms were monitored for three years to characterize litter decomposition in early and late successional stages. Two forests were used for the investigation: pioneer a forest dominated by birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica) and a climax forest by oak (Quercus mongolica var. grosseserrata) in the cool-temperate region of northern Japan. Three types of litter were used: birch, oak and mixed litter. The litter decomposition was effective during the first year but 50% of the original litter remained even after three years. Carbon-to-nitrogen ratios in the litter decreased largely in the first year and became stable thereafter. The litter decomposition rates were not different among the litter types and between the forests. The temporal changes in phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) showed that fungal biomass reached its peak in the first year and the bacterial biomass increased steadily until the end of the experiment. The concentrations of fungal PLFAs in the litter did not differ between the litter types but were lower in the oak forest. The litter decomposition was performed mostly by fungi, in particular in the early stages, while bacterial decomposition depended on the litter types and/or the forest types. Gram-negative bacteria reached their peak of PLFAs in the second year while gram-positive bacteria PLFAs increased gradually during the three years. Therefore, the succession of microorganisms in the litter occurred from fungi to bacteria and from gram-negative bacteria to gram-positive bacteria in the two forests. Unlike in the case of coniferous or monotonic forests, the effects of forests and litter types on litter decomposition for the first year were weak. The forest types on litter decomposition appeared only for the long-term litter decomposition. The successional changes of microorganisms occurred from fungi to bacteria for long-term litter decomposition processes with increasing N concentration in the litter.

Relative Importance of Climate, Soil and Plant Functional Traits During the Early Decomposition Stage of Standardized Litter

Climatic factors have long been considered predominant in controlling decomposition rates at large spatial scales. However, recent research suggests that edaphic factors and plant functional traits may play a more important role than previously expected. In this study, we investigated how biotic and abiotic factors interacted with litter quality by analyzing decomposition rates for two forms of standardized litter substitutes: green tea (high-quality litter) and red tea (low-quality litter). We placed 1188 teabags at two different positions (forest floor and 8 cm deep) across 99 forest sites in France and measured 46 potential drivers at each site. We found that high-quality litter decomposition was strongly related to climatic factors, whereas low-quality litter decomposition was strongly related to edaphic factors and the identity of the dominant tree species in the stand. This indicates that the relative importance of climate, soil and plant functional traits in the litter decomposition process depends on litter quality, which was the predominant factor controlling decomposition rate in this experiment. We also found that burying litter increased decomposition rates, and that this effect was more important for green tea in drier environments. This suggests that changes in position (surface vs. buried) at the plot scale may be as important as the role of macroclimate on decomposition rates because of varying water availability along the soil profile. Acknowledging that the effect of climate on decomposition depends on litter quality and that the macroclimate is not necessarily the predominant factor at large spatial scales is the first step toward identifying the factors regulating decomposition rates from the local scale to the global scale.

Forest Gap Size Alters the Functional Diversity of Soil Nematode Communities in Alpine Forest Ecosystems

Changes in the microenvironment driven by forest gaps have profound effects on soil nutrient cycling and litter decomposition processes in alpine forest ecosystems. However, it is unclear whether a similar forest gap effect occurs in the soil decomposer community. A field experiment was conducted in an alpine forest to investigate the composition and structure of the soil nematode community among four treatments, including under a closed canopy and in small (<10 m in diameter), medium (10–15 m in diameter), and large (15–20 m in diameter) gaps. A total of 92,787 individuals and 27 species (genera level) of soil nematode were extracted by elutriation and sugar centrifugation, respectively. Filenchus was the most abundant dominant taxa and represented 24.27–37.51% of the soil nematodes in the four treatments. Compared to the closed canopy, the forest gaps did not affect the composition, abundance, or species diversity of the soil nematode community but significantly affected the functional diversity of the soil nematode community. The maturity indices (MI, ∑MI, and MI2‒5) of the soil nematode community in the closed canopy were significantly lower than those in the forest gaps. Moreover, the proportion of plant parasitic index and maturity index (PPI/MI) values of the closed canopy and small gaps were significantly higher than those of the medium and large gaps. Our results suggest that the forest gap size substantially alters the functional diversity of soil nematodes in the debris food web, and changes in soil nematode community structure due to gap formation may have profound effects on soil biogeochemical processes in alpine forests.

Land use modulates the effects of climate change on density but not community composition of Collembola

Collembola are highly abundant and diverse soil animals and play key roles in litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. Given their functional significance, it is important to understand their responses to human-induced global changes, such as climate change and land-use intensification. Here, we utilized an experimental field study, to test the interactive effects of climate (ambient vs. future) and land use (five land-use regimes, from extensively-used meadow to conventional farming) on three eco-morphological life forms of Collembola: epedaphic, hemiedaphic, and euedaphic species. We found that the effects of climate change on Collembola density were modulated by land use, and that the responses of different life forms to climate × land use interaction differed in magnitude and/or direction. The densities of total and hemiedaphic Collembola significantly decreased under organic farming and marginally increased in grasslands under future climatic conditions, whereas epedaphic Collembola tended to decrease their density with climate change in grasslands. In contrast, the density of euedaphic Collembola significantly increased with climate change in intensively-used grasslands. Further, we found that grasslands (especially extensively-used meadow) support the most abundant Collembola communities, with high species richness but low evenness. Multivariate analyses revealed independent effects of climate change and land-use intensification on Collembola community composition. Together, our findings indicate that the effects of climate change on Collembola communities depend on their life forms and land-use types. Surface-dwelling Collembola are more vulnerable to land use and climate change than those living in deeper soil layers. This may slow down the process of soil-surface litter decomposition in a changing world.