Beech Leaf Litter Research Articles

Leaf litter dynamics in Western Black Sea mountainous forest ecosystems

This study aimed to estimate leaf litter decomposition rates in eastern beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) mixed stands in Akçakoca in the province of Düzce, located in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The sampling areas represent four different elevations and two aspects at each elevation. Amounts of annual beech and chestnut litterfall were estimated at 5.19 and 4.61 Mg·ha−1, respectively. Litter decomposition was examined over five time periods (0.25, 0.50, 1.25, 2.25, and 4.25 years) by using the litterbag method. The mass of remaining beech leaf litter was found to be 1.1, 1.2, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.3 times greater than the mass of chestnut leaf litter, respectively. However, estimated values for the decomposition rate constant (k) of chestnut for all time periods were found to be approximately 1.5 times greater than those of beech leaf litter. Litter in beech stands decomposed more rapidly at higher elevations during the first year but at lower elevations during the second year, likely due to increased temperature and precipitation for the corresponding years. Leaf litter in chestnut stands decomposed more rapidly at lower elevations in the second and fourth years, reflecting higher precipitation for those years.

Spectral Composition of Sunlight Affects the Microbial Functional Structure of Beech Leaf Litter During the Initial Phase of Decomposition

AimsThis study tests whether different spectral regions of sunlight affect the microbial decomposer assemblage in surface leaf litter in a beech understorey over the first 6 months following leaf senescence.MethodsWe performed a litterbag experiment employing filters attenuating combinations of UV-B, UV-A, blue, and green light as well as the whole spectrum of sunlight. We measured changes in microbial biomass and community structure, litter mass loss and litter chemistry during the first 6 months of decomposition.ResultsFungal and total microbial biomass were highest in the treatment excluding UV radiation, blue and green light. Exclusion of UV-B radiation decreased the fungal:bacterial biomass ratio and litter nitrogen content. Bacterial biomass was lower in the dark treatment compared to treatments receiving at least part of the solar spectrum. Our filter treatments affected microbial functional structure from the beginning of the experiment, whereas mass loss was only significantly affected after 6 months of decomposition and no effect was found on litter carbon content.ConclusionsThis study proves that sunlight, in a spectrally dependent manner, affects both microbial functional structure and biomass in temperate deciduous forests early in the decomposition process, with bacteria tending to dominate in sunlight and fungi in dark conditions. We found sunlight to be important in the decomposition in temperate forest understoreys despite the low irradiance characterizing these environments. However, long-term studies are required to estimate the relative contribution of sunlight among factors affecting the eventual incorporation of decomposing leaf litter into forest soils.

First records of tardigrades (Tardigrada) from Irish and Scottish leaf litter

The findings of an investigation of the tardigrade fauna associated with beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaf litter in the Republic of Ireland and Scotland are reported. The present study is the first to specifically target this microhabitat in either country. Tardigrades were extracted from 16 samples of leaf litter obtained from seven locations (one in Ireland and six in Scotland). Twenty five tardigrade taxa were encountered including seven that represent new records for the Republic of Ireland (Pseudechiniscus sp. nov., Diphascon pingue group sp., Hypsibius cf. convergens, Hypsibius cf. scabropygus, Itaquascon cf. globuliferum, Ursulinius sp. nov., and Minibiotus sp. nov.) and four for Scotland (Bertolanius weglarskae, Hypsibius cf. scabropygus, Adropion belgicae and Pilatobius ramazzottii). The collection of several taxa that either represent new records or undescribed species within a small number of samples demonstrates the importance for researchers to include leaf litter when assessing and reporting the tardigrade biodiversity of an area.

Decomposition of beech leaves and roots in the topsoil and subsoil of a sandy Cambisol: Results of a one-year incubation

The fate of litter is regulated by its quality and quantity, the activity of soil microorganisms and edaphic conditions. Despite edaphic conditions differing between topsoils and subsoils in availability of water and oxygen, nutrient content and microbial activity, the effects of soil depth on litter decomposition are seldom investigated. The present work studied the mineralization of beech leaf litter (C/N = 28, collected after litterfall) and fine roots ((C/N = 45, taken from living trees) in two soil depths (2–10 cm vs 145–153 cm). Both plant materials were air-dried, cut to <2 mm, applied at a rate of 8 g kg−1 to the sandy Cambisol and incubated for 300 days at 10 °C.The cumulative CO2 emission from leaf decomposed in the subsoil (400–450 mg C g−1 soil) was 1.6 times higher than from the roots (p < 0.05), whereas no differences were found between litter types for the topsoil (500–600 mg C g−1 soil). Microorganisms in the topsoil were generally adapted to the high litter input and were not limited by nutrients, as indicated by the absence of a litter quality effect on the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (estimated by fumigation extraction) content here (p > 0.05). In contrast, subsoil MBC was higher after leaf addition than root addition (750 vs. 200 mg kg−1 soil, p < 0.05). Thus, both the residue quality and its location in the soil profile (topsoil/subsoil) should be considered when studying the fate of plant litter in detritusphere hotspots.

Metatranscriptomics reveals unsuspected protistan diversity in leaf litter across temperate beech forests, with Amoebozoa the dominating lineage.

Forest litter harbors complex networks of microorganisms whose major components are bacteria, fungi and protists. Protists, being highly selective consumers of bacteria and fungi could influence decomposition processes by shifting competitive microbial interactions. We investigated the eukaryotic diversity from 18 samples of one-year beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaf litter by RNA-based high-throughput sequencing of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene. By applying a metatranscriptomics approach, we avoided biases inherent to PCR-based methods, and could therefore focus on elusive protistan groups. We obtained 14 589 eukaryotic assembled sequences (contigs) representing 2223 unique taxa. Fungi dominated the eukaryotic assemblage, followed by an equal proportion of protists and plants. Among protists, the phylum Amoebozoa clearly dominated, representing more than twice the proportion of Alveolata (mostly ciliates) and Rhizaria (mostly Cercozoa), which are often retrieved as the dominant protistan groups in soils, revealing potential primer biases. By assigning functional traits to protists, we could assess that the proportion of free-living and heterotrophs was much higher than that of parasites and autotrophs, opening the way to a better understanding of the role played by the protistan communities and how biodiversity interacts with decomposition processes.

Leaf litter species identity influences biochemical composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

In forest ecosystems, ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are important for plant growth and soil biogeochemical processes. The biochemical composition of ECM mycelium is an important fungal effect trait with consequences for its decomposition rate, and consequently on soil carbon pools and plant nutrition. Although the link between ECM fungi and leaf litter-released nutrients is well known, the response of ECM fungal biochemical composition to different leaf litter species remains poorly understood. To determine how leaf litter quality influences ECM fungi's biochemical profiles, we planted young beech trees in an oak forest and replaced the natural leaf litter with that of European beech (Fagus sylvatica), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), or lime (Tilia cordata). We assessed the biochemical profiles of ECM root tips colonized by common fungal taxa in temperate forests (i.e., Cenococcum geophilum, Inocybe sp., and Lactarius subdulcis), using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). ECM fungal biochemical composition changed with leaf litter species. Changes were apparent in the infrared absorption bands assigned to functional groups of lipids, amides, and carbohydrates. C. geophilum and L. subdulcis exhibited large spectral differences corresponding to the initial pattern of leaf litter chemical composition between samples collected in the beech and ash leaf litter treatments. In contrast, Inocybe sp. was influenced by lime, but with no differences between samples from ash or beech leaf litter treatments. Although the spectral bands affected by leaf litter type differed among ECM fungi, they were mainly related to amides, indicating a dynamic response of the fungal proteome to soil nutritional changes. Overall, the results indicate that the biochemical response of ECM fungi to leaf litter species varies among ECM fungal species and suggests that the biochemical composition of ECM mycelium is a fungal response trait, sensitive to environmental changes such as shifts in leaf litter species.

Integrating chemical, biological and soil fauna variables during beech leaf litter decay: A partial least squares approach for a comprehensive view of the decomposition process

Litter decomposition is an ecosystem process that is regulated by a multitude of factors and by their complex interactions. Current decomposition paradigms do not always offer a coherent view of the process because it can be hardly understood without a thorough analysis of interacting factors. Thus, there is a need to further understand the mechanics of litter decay with a comprehensive approach, especially in temperate forest ecosystems where decomposition plays a crucial role in regulating them as source or sink of CO2. Therefore, the aim of this work was to identify the interactions between chemical, biological and soil fauna variables in order to discern driving variables and the changes in their interactions during long-time (1300 days) beech leaf litter decomposition. In order to investigate patterns of variation and co-variation within and between datasets, we used Two-block Partial Least Squares, helping us to interpret the decomposition process with a systemic approach. Our key findings showed that the decomposition process of beech litter in two Mediterranean forests was driven by litter quality at the beginning and in the later stages of decomposition, while edaphic and climatic factors were implied in the central steps, with a dramatic change of scenario around 2.5 years. Simultaneous and interacting changes in chemical variables, extracellular enzyme activities, and soil fauna were shown, with a significant role of lignocellulosic components and enzymes involved in their degradation, Mn residual weight, and abundance of Collembola.

Nutrient contents of beech leaf litter decomposed by fungi in Basidiomycota and Ascomycota

Nutrient contents of beech leaf litter decomposed by fungi in Basidiomycota and Ascomycota

Transient leaf endophytes are the most active fungi in 1-year-old beech leaf litter

The ecological significance of fungi occurring asymptomatically inside living plant leaves is poorly understood. Given the broad saprotrophic potential of many endophytic fungi, we hypothesized that they persist in decaying litter for an extended period of time after leaf abscission. Fungal assemblages were assessed by high-throughput sequencing in autumn leaves of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and in the corresponding leaf litter in 388 samples from 22 beech forest plots in three widely distant regions of Germany. A considerable proportion of the leaf-endophytic fungi was also found in 1-year-old litter. Co-occurrence networks revealed that the fungi formed unstructured assemblages inside the living leaves, rather than well-structured communities. Previously endophytic fungi constituted an integral part of the fungal litter community and were by far the most active fungi in 1-year-old litter. We therefore consider these endophytic occurrences to represent transient stages. Composition of the aboveground microbiome appears therefore to be closely connected to the process of litter decomposition. Considering the respective linked fungal habitat will facilitate predicting nutrient and carbon cycling and storage in forest ecosystems as well as elucidating the ecology of leaf microbiomes.

Correlations between the composition of modular fungal communities and litter decomposition-associated ecosystem functions

Microbial co-occurrence network analyses provide important information on ecological interactions between different microbial Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), and often indicate that total microbial communities are sub-structured into modules. Here we investigate the fungal communities associated with beech leaf litter decomposition over 473 days using pyrotag sequencing of the fungal ITS rRNA genes. Our results demonstrate that the total fungal communities present during the two major decomposition stages are sub-structured into four modules each, giving eight modular fungal communities in total. These modular communities displayed different relationships with leaf litter physicochemical properties and ecological functions. During the early decomposition stage, modules 2 (dominated by Gyoerffyella sp.1 and Mycosphaerella sp.) and 4 (Xylariales OTU3, Cylindrosympodium sp.1 and Leotiomycetes OTU12) correlated significantly with both hydrolytic and oxidative enzyme activities (P < 0.05). During the later decomposition stage, module 7 (Clitocybe phaeophthalma and Ceratobasidium sp.) correlated significantly with the activities of laccase and general peroxidase (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrate that individual fungal subcommunities are largely responsible for providing specific ecosystem functions in litter decomposition, which improves our understanding of the factors that determine the distribution patterns of fungi and their potential roles in key ecosystem processes.

Nutrient dynamics and early decomposition rates of Picea abies needles in combination with Fagus orientalis leaf litter in an exogenous ecosystem

The Hyrcanian forests in the Northern Iran are originally poor of coniferous and are considered as a refugium of temperate broad-leaved trees during the Quaternary glaciations. In this study mass loss and nutrients dynamic of Norway spruce needles when combined with oriental beech litter was investigated in a 50-year plantation of pure Norway spruce in the Hyrcanian forests. The litter bags technique was used to monitor the mass loss and nutrients concentration after 60, 120, 180, 270 and 400 days. The results showed that when decomposed alone the mass loss rate of spruce needles was generally lower than what reported in Europe. However, when combined with oriental beech litter the mass loss rate was hastened compared to when decomposed alone. A positive non-additive effect of beech leaf litter was observed on spruce nutrients dynamic. The concentration of N, P, K, and Mg in combined spruce needles with beech litter was generally higher compared to when spruce needles decomposed alone during decomposition time. While the concentration of Mn and Ca in combined spruce needles with beech litter was generally higher than when spruce needles decomposed alone. At the end of the decomposition period the release of Mn and N was significantly higher in combined spruce needles than when it decomposed alone. Based on the stepwise regression N was the only nutrient entered to model which explained 37% of mass loss variation. It was concluded that oriental beech leaf litter drive a non-additive effect on mass loss and nutrient dynamic of Norway spruce needles. Therefore combining the plantation of Norway spruce with oriental beech can result in better regulating of needles decomposition and nutrients cycle.

Influence of manganese on decomposition of common beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) leaf litter during field incubation

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.

Impacts of earthworms on nitrogen acquisition from leaf litter by arbuscular mycorrhizal ash and ectomycorrhizal beech trees

Earthworms (EWs) and mycorrhizal fungi are key components of soil biota participating in N recycling from leaf litter. The extent to which their interactions impact leaf litter-derived N uptake by tree species colonized by different mycorrhizal types and the variation of these interactions with leaf litter quality is unknown. We used a greenhouse experiment to investigate the effects of EWs on plant acquisition of N from 15N enriched ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaf litter. We employed arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) ash and ectomycorrhizal (EM) beech trees. EW presence did not affect the overall root mycorrhizal colonization, but in the beech leaf litter treatment it caused a shift in the EM fungal community, favoring species with a ruderal life strategy at the expense of more specialized species able to degrade organic compounds. No differences in 15N capture were found between EM and AM plants. Generally, 2–7% of the N released from leaf litter was taken up by the plants. EWs uniformly increased plant acquisition of N from leaf litter. This effect was more pronounced in treatments with ash than in those with beech leaf litter, presumably because of higher degradability of ash than of beech litter. The results suggest that leaf litter quality dominates the impact of EWs on plant N acquisition from leaf litter while the mycorrhizal type is of minor importance.

Field and microcosms decomposition dynamics of European beech leaf litter: Influence of climate, plant material and soil with focus on N and Mn

Leaf litter decomposition is one of the key phenomena in forest ecology. The patterns and trends of decomposition are related to the complex interaction of climate, soil biota and litter quality. The decay dynamics for the European beech are well-known for middle Europe, but lesser investigated in the Mediterranean area. In this study, we investigated mass loss and nutrient dynamics, especially nitrogen and manganese, in two Mediterranean beech forest located in northern and southern Italy. We used a litterbag experiment with leaves of each forest incubated in their own area of origin and vice versa. Moreover, we also used microcosms to follow early stages of decomposition under controlled conditions. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of climate and soil/litter quality at the different stages of decomposition and assess the response of diverse soils to changes in temperature and humidity. The results showed a faster field decomposition for the southern (warmer) site compared to the northern (colder) site, whereas under stable conditions in microcosms this trend reversed, implying different microbial adaptations to climate. Moreover, changes in temperature and humidity triggered complex microbial response during litter decay. Additionally, whereas our results showed trends of nitrogen concentration comparable to previous studies, the role of manganese in decomposition was very relevant even from the early stages. Noticeably, manganese was generally lower in both sites compared to middle Europe, but it was higher in the northern site than in the southern one. Manganese concentration, however, strongly increased for those leaves that had a lower initial content in all conditions, giving evidence of a strong mobilization of this nutrient and its essential role for decomposition in Mediterranean beech forests.

Translocation of 13C-labeled leaf or root litter carbon of beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.) during decomposition – A laboratory incubation experiment

The aim was to quantify medium term litter type and litter mixture effects on the translocation and transformation dynamics of root and leaf litter C during decomposition. Partitioning of 13C-labeled root or leaf litter C (beech – Fagus sylvatica L., ash – Fraxinus excelsior L.) to CO2, water-extractable organic C (WEOC), microbial biomass C (CMB) and light (LF) and heavy soil fraction (HF) was determined in a laboratory decomposition experiment of 206 days. The proportions of C mineralized from ash leaf (34%) and root litter (29%) were higher than those from beech leaf (24%) and root litter (23%). In mixture with beech, the mineralization of ash leaf litter was enhanced. Mineralization was positively correlated with litter-derived WEOC until day 29. Water-extractable organic C declined with time, until <0.1% of litter C remained in this fraction. Litter-C recovery in CMB was higher for ash (0.7–1.0%) than for beech (0.2–0.4%). The litter C recovery in HF (4–12%) was positively correlated with that in WEOC (days 9 and 29) and CMB, but did not differ between treatments. Ash leaf litter mineralization showed different behavior in mixed treatments from pure treatments. Thus, the ability to transfer results from pure to mixed treatments is limited. The litter differed in chemical composition and in mineralization dynamics, but differences in partitioning to HF, WEOC and MB were finally of minor importance.

Long-term effects of canopy opening and liming on leaf litter production, and on leaf litter and fine-root decomposition in a European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest

The long-term (>20yr) effects of canopy opening and liming on leaf litter production over 2 periods (1990–1997; 2000–2010), and fine root and litter decomposition over 3 periods (1992–1993; 1996–1997; 2012–2013) were examined in a mature European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand on a nutrient-poor site. The results did partially support the hypothesis that the combined or single effects of liming and/or canopy removal on the litter production and decomposition lasted for more than 20years. The main results were: (1) Along with beech regeneration, the annual leaf litter input in all study plots was higher for the period 2000–2010 (2.9Mgha−1yr−1) than for 1990–1997 (2.5Mgha−1yr−1), and the differences among the treatments were getting smaller; (2) The mass of beech leaf litter fall was higher in the stands than in the gaps; (3) Liming accelerated the fine root and OF layer litter decomposition in the period April 1992 to July 1993, and fine root and leaf litter from June 1996 to September 1997, but this effect was not observed in the period March 2012 to July 2013; (4) The gap effect alone did not accelerate the litter decomposition rate in the first period, but in the second and third periods; (5) 23years after liming and canopy opening, the quality of the leaf litter was different, and the canopy opening continued to accelerate both leaf litter and fine-root decomposition.

Influence of litter diversity on dissolved organic matter release and soil carbon formation in a mixed beech forest.

We investigated the effect of leaf litter on below ground carbon export and soil carbon formation in order to understand how litter diversity affects carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. 13C labeled and unlabeled leaf litter of beech (Fagus sylvatica) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior), characterized by low and high decomposability, were used in a litter exchange experiment in the Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Germany). Litter was added in pure and mixed treatments with either beech or ash labeled with 13C. We collected soil water in 5 cm mineral soil depth below each treatment biweekly and determined dissolved organic carbon (DOC), δ13C values and anion contents. In addition, we measured carbon concentrations and δ13C values in the organic and mineral soil (collected in 1 cm increments) up to 5 cm soil depth at the end of the experiment. Litter-derived C contributes less than 1% to dissolved organic matter (DOM) collected in 5 cm mineral soil depth. Better decomposable ash litter released significantly more (0.50±0.17%) litter carbon than beech litter (0.17±0.07%). All soil layers held in total around 30% of litter-derived carbon, indicating the large retention potential of litter-derived C in the top soil. Interestingly, in mixed (ash and beech litter) treatments we did not find a higher contribution of better decomposable ash-derived carbon in DOM, O horizon or mineral soil. This suggest that the known selective decomposition of better decomposable litter by soil fauna has no or only minor effects on the release and formation of litter-derived DOM and soil organic matter. Overall our experiment showed that 1) litter-derived carbon is of low importance for dissolved organic carbon release and 2) litter of higher decomposability is faster decomposed, but litter diversity does not influence the carbon flow.

Litter Decomposition and Microbial Biomass in Temperate Forests in Northwestern Turkey

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of microbial biomass on the litter decomposition in relation to litter quality, litterfall, canopy leaf area and soil characteristics. The mean values for litterfall were 4245, 3510 and 2935 kg ha-1 year-1 for beech, fir-beech and fir stands, respectively. In the research area, beech stand has higher litterfall than fir, this may be attributed to high allocation of biomass to leaves, thus, makes them fall as litter more easily. One-year mass loss of litter decreased in this order: fir (23.6%) > fir-beech (17.2%) > beech (13.16%). Annual decay constant was significantly lower for beech (k=0.159) than fir litter (k=0.254), reflecting differences in nitrogen and lignin content between litter types (beech, 0.63% and 36.15%; fir, 1.40% and 28.10%). Fir litters have greater microbial biomass C content during the sampling period compared with beech and fir-beech litters. Microbial communities in fir litter were energetically more efficient (had a lower gCO2) with a higher Cmic/Corg compared to those in beech leaf litter. The results of this study indicate that admixed fir needles tended to speed up decomposition of beech foliage in these types of forest ecosystems.

Limitless decomposition in leaf litter of Common beech: Patterns, nutrients’ and heavy metal's dynamics

Abstract Long-term studies of Common beech litter decomposition are scarce and the relationship of its limit values to nutrients/heavy metals dynamics has not been sufficiently studied. The present study is a rare case in which beech litter decomposes almost entirely and enables analyses of the impacts of nutrients and heavy metals on litter decomposition. The aim of the present paper is to (i) determine a decomposition pattern of leaf litter and estimate the limit values and to (ii) determine the dynamics of the main nutrients and heavy metals (concentration and net amounts, based on ash-free litter) in an unpolluted stand of Common beech. Common beech ( Fagus sylvatica L.) leaf litter was incubated in polyester litterbags (1.5 mm mesh size) and 41 samplings were made over a period of 6.5 years until a mass loss of 88.9% was achieved. Carbon (C) plus 12 more nutrients and heavy metals were analyzed. Mass losses of both whole litter and of C were used in order to estimate the limit values as well as to determine significant differences between the two approaches. An asymptotic function gave significant limit values that were close to 100% ( p p

Environment rather than genetic background explains intraspecific variation in the protein-precipitating capacity of phenolic compounds in beech litter

Background: The ecological effects of phenolic compounds in plant tissues are related to their phenolic signature, i.e. the total content and structure of the phenolic compounds. Although the spatial and temporal variation of the phenolic signature within species is well documented, it remains unclear whether intraspecific variation is due to genetic differences between individuals or to environmental conditions.Aims: We aimed to disentangle the effects of the genetic background and environmental conditions on intraspecific variation in the phenolic signature of beech (Fagus sylvatica) leaf litter.Methods: In a silvicultural provenance experiment, beech populations from a wide range of the natural distribution range of the species, including different phylogeographic lineages (site of origin = genetic background), were grown in two geographically distinct common gardens (site of growth = environment). The total content and the protein-precipitation capacity of phenolic leaf litter compounds and their HPLC profile were determined as a measure of the phenolic signature of leaf litter of individual beech trees.Results: The phenolic content and the protein-precipitating capacity of methanolic litter extracts were significantly correlated. Variation in the content of phenolic compounds was largely related to genetic background and less to environment, while the reverse was true for their protein-precipitating capacity. Individuals grown in the same common garden exhibited more similar phenolic signatures than individuals from the same provenance but grown at different locations.Conclusions: We conclude that it is environmental conditions rather than the genetic background that determines the phenolic signature of leaf litter of beech individuals. It follows from our results that environmental change may in the future lead to alteration of the phenolic signatures of present beech forest ecosystems, probably with a cascading effect on ecological processes such as decomposition.