Litter Decomposition In Forest Ecosystems Research Articles

Effects of root growth on dynamics of microbes and enzyme activities during litter decomposition.

To understand the influence of roots of understory plant entering litter layer on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems, we examined the effects of different treatments of Lolium multiflorum root biomass on microorganisms and enzyme activities during leaf litter decomposition of Symplocos setchuensis, a dominant species in a mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest, through a litter bag simulation experiment. Results showed that diversity index of bacterial and fungal communities of leaf litter surface under three treatments, i.e. no root (N), less roots (L), more roots (M), in a 240-day decomposition process showed the following pattern: M > L > N. The effects of these different root biomass treatments on the composition and quantity of fungal community were more significant than those on bacterial community. The biomass of living roots growing in the litter bag gradually decreased at the end of the growing season of L. multiflorum. The impacts of root growth on the composition of the fungal community gradually decreased during decomposition. At the same decomposition stage, the activities of acid phosphatase, β-glucosidase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase on the litter surface were higher in the treatments with roots than that without roots. These results indicated that root growth could change the composition and quantity of microbial communities and increase the extracellular enzyme activities of microbes, and thus stimulating litter decomposition.

Saprobic conidial fungi associated with palm leaf litter in eastern Amazon, Brazil.

Fungi play an important role in litter decomposition in forest ecosystems and are considered an undersampled group in the Amazon biome. This study aims to describe the composition, richness and frequency of species of conidial fungi associated with palm trees in an area of ​​the Amapá National Forest, State of Amapá, Brazil. Palm leaf litter was collected from July 2009 to June 2010, incubated in moist chambers and examined for the presence of fungi. One hundred and seven species of conidial fungi were identified, in 79 genera and 25 families. As for the relative frequency of the species, the majority (94.4%) was sporadic and occurred on leaflets. We report new records for South America (Chaetopsis intermedia, Chaetochalara laevis and Thysanophora verrucosa) and Brazil (Chloridium phaeosporum, Helminthosporiella stilbacea and Zygosporium geminatum), and 83 for the State of Amapá, while 15 are also new for the Brazilian Amazon. This study significantly increases the knowledge about the distribution of the fungal species in the Amazon biome, and emphasizes the importance of the conservation of these organisms particularly in view of the large number of sporadic species recorded.

Interactions between Two Fungi Strains during Litter Decomposition through a Microcosm Experiment: Different Degradative Enzyme Activities

Fungi are the key agents in litter decomposition in forest ecosystems. However, the specific roles of the interactions between different fungal species during litter decomposition process are unclear. To evaluate the interactions, two fungi strains with significantly different morphs were isolated from the soils of Quercus acutissima forest and Pinus massoniana forest, and inoculated in the litter powder of Quercus acutissima leaves and Pinus massoniana needles with grown separately and in coexistence equally through a microcosm experiment. The enzyme activities were determined as a proxy for microbial activities. The results showed that the degradative enzymes involved in litter decomposition showed varying dynamics pattern during the incubation period. The interactions between the two fungi strains are synergism, and benefit to each other according to enzyme activities, suggesting that a fungi strain growth was accelerated by the presence of other fungi strain during litter decomposition process. However, the interactions of the two fungi strains were bilateral antagonism inoculated in the litter powder of Quercus acutissima leaves according to cellobiohydrolase activities. The synergism, despite bilateral antagonism in an exceptional case, may be an important factor controlling the fungal colonization and growth on litter substrate. The results implied that more fungal species may accelerate litter decomposition rates due to their mutual cooperation.

Litter decomposition in forest ecosystems: a review

Litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems has a major role in the biogeochemical cycling of elements in the environment. Climatic features, like temperature, rainfall, humidity, and seasonal variations affect the rate of litter decomposition. This review attempts to understand the litter decomposition process in tropical forest ecosystems. It also reviews the influence of various factors on litter degradation and techniques used for assessing leaf litter decomposition. It is observed that very few studies were conducted on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems, such as tropical and temperate forests. Hence, comprehensive studies on litter degradation have to be undertaken in order to understand the turnover rate of nutrients and other elements in these sensitive ecosystems.

Relationships between soil–litter interface enzyme activities and decomposition in Pinus massoniana plantations in China

Enzyme activities in decomposing litter are directly related to the rate of litter mass loss and have been widely accepted as indicators of changes in belowground processes. Studies of variation in enzyme activities of soil–litter interface and its effects on decomposition are lacking. Evaluating enzyme activities in this layer is important to better understand energy flow and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Litter decomposition and the seasonal dynamics of soil–litter enzyme activities were investigated in situ in 20- (younger) and 46-year-old (older) Pinus massoniana stands for 540 days from August 2010 to March 2012 by litterbag method. We measured potential activities of invertase, cellulase, urease, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase in litter and the upper mineral soils, and evaluated their relationships with the main environment factors. Remaining litter mass was 57.6 % of the initial weights in the younger stands and 61.3 % in the older stands after 540-day decomposition. Levels of enzyme activity were higher in the litter layer than in the soil layer. Soil temperature, litter moisture, and litter nitrogen (N) concentration were the most important factors affecting the enzyme activities. The enzyme activity showed significantly seasonal dynamics in association with the seasonal variations in temperature, water, and decomposition stages. Remaining litter dry mass was found to be significantly linearly correlated with enzyme activities (except for litter peroxidase), which indicates an important role of enzyme activity in the litter decomposition process. Our results indicated the important effects of biotic (litter N) and abiotic factors (soil temperature and litter moisture) on soil–litter interface enzyme activities. Overall significant linear relationship between remaining dry mass and enzyme activities highlighted the important role of enzyme activity in affecting litter decomposition processes, which will further influence nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems. Our results contributed to the better understanding of the mechanistic link between upper soil–litter extracellular enzyme production and litter decomposition in forest ecosystems.

A comparison of decomposition dynamics among green tree leaves, partially decomposed tree leaf litter and their mixture in a warm temperate forest ecosystem

Decomposition dynamics were compared among green tree leaves, partially decomposed tree leaf litter (i.e., decayed tree leaf litter on forest floor) and a mixture of the two in a warm temperate forest ecosystem in central China to test the influence of litter chemical quality on the degree of decomposition. The study was conducted in situ at two contrasting forest sites, an oak forest dominated by Quercus aliena var. acuteserrata Maxim., and a mixed pine and oak forest dominated by Pinus armandii Franch. and Q. aliena var. acuteserrata. We found marked differences in the rate of decomposition among litter types at both forest sites; the litter decomposition constant, k, was about 39 % greater at the oak forest site and more than 70 % greater at the pine-oak forest site, for green leaves than for partially decomposed leaf litter. The decomposition dynamics and temporal changes in litter chemistry of the three litter types also greatly differed between the two forest sites. At both forest sites, the higher rate of decomposition for the green leaves was associated with a higher nitrogen (N) content and lower carbon to N ratio (C/N) and acid-unhydrolyzable residue to N ratio (AUR/N). We did not find any non-additive effects when mixing green leaves and partially decomposed leaf litter. Our findings support the contention that litter chemical quality is one of the most important determinants of litter decomposition in forest ecosystems at the local or regional scale, but the effect of litter chemical quality on decomposition differs between the contrasting forest types and may vary with the stage of decomposition.

A Review on Litter Decomposition by Soil Fungal Community

Fungi play an important role in plant litter decomposition in forest ecosystems through nutrient recycling and humus formation in soil because they attack the lingo-cellulose matrix in litter that other organisms are unable to assimilate. Fungi are considered to be the key players in litter decomposition because of their ability to produce a wide range of extracellular enzymes, which allows them to efficiently attack the recalcitrant ligno-cellulose matrix that other organisms are unable to decompose. Biochemical decomposition of leaf litter is a sequential process that initially involves the loss of the less recalcitrant components followed by the degradation of the remaining highly recalcitrant compounds. Litter quality changes during the course of its transformation and so does the activity of litter-associated microorganisms especially fungi. These changes are accompanied by a succession of microbial litter decomposers that reflect the varied catabolic capabilities that are sequentially required to complete the process of litter decomposition. The review reveals that fungi are divided into three functional groups according to their substrate utilization patterns during litter decomposition: lingo-cellulose decomposers that attack both lignin and cellulose in various proportions, cellulose decomposers that preferentially attack carbohydrates and sugar fungi that rely on soluble sugar for growth. Plant organic matter transformation leads to the disappearance of easily utilizable compounds and to the formation of recalcitrant ones. As a consequence, the chemical and spatial heterogeneity of the substrate changes with time. This process results in the formation of novel niches and a potential increase in fungal diversity.

高山森林林窗对凋落叶分解的影响

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 高山森林林窗对凋落叶分解的影响 DOI: 10.5846/stxb201410192049 作者: 作者单位: 四川农业大学生态林业研究所,四川农业大学生态林业研究所,四川农业大学生态林业研究所,四川农业大学,四川农业大学生态林业研究所,四川农业大学生态林业研究所 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金项目(31170423,31270498);国家"十二五"科技支撑计划(2011BAC09B05);四川省杰出青年学术与技术带头人培育项目(2012JQ0008,2012JQ0059);中国博士后科学基金(2012T50782);四川省教育厅青年基金(2013SZB0553,13TD0015);生态安全与保护四川省重点实验室开放基金项目(ESP201309,ESP1404) Effects of gap sizes on foliar litter decomposition in alpine forests Author: Affiliation: Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering,Institute of Ecology Forestry,Sichuan Agricultural University,Wenjiang,Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering,Institute of Ecology Forestry,Sichuan Agricultural University,Wenjiang,Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering,Institute of Ecology Forestry,Sichuan Agricultural University,Wenjiang,Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering,Institute of Ecology Forestry,Sichuan Agricultural University,Wenjiang,Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering,Institute of Ecology Forestry,Sichuan Agricultural University,Wenjiang,Key Laboratory of Ecological Forestry Engineering,Institute of Ecology Forestry,Sichuan Agricultural University,Wenjiang 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:林窗对降水和光照等环境条件的再分配以及分解者群落的影响可能深刻作用于森林凋落物分解过程,但有关高山森林林窗大小对凋落物分解的影响尚无研究报道。采用凋落物分解袋法,研究了川西高山森林不同大小林窗对非生长季节和生长季节红桦(Betula albo-sinensis)和岷江冷杉(Abies faxoniana)凋落叶质量损失的影响。结果显示,经过1a的分解,不同生境下红桦和岷江冷杉凋落叶分别分解了27.25%-30.12%和27.04%-27.96%,其中非生长季节占53.83%-60.18%和50.23%-59.09%。林窗对红桦和岷江冷杉凋落叶质量损失的影响因物种不同而呈现季节差异。总体上,林窗加快了岷江冷杉凋落叶的分解而延缓了红桦凋落叶的分解。与郁闭林下相比,林窗显著增加了2种凋落叶非生长季节的质量损失速率,显著降低了生长季节2种凋落叶的质量损失速率;2种凋落叶质量损失速率在非生长季节随林窗面积增大而加快,在生长季节随林窗面积增大而减慢。林窗显著影响了初冻期、深冻期和融化期岷江冷杉凋落叶的质量损失率,但对红桦凋落叶质量损失率影响不显著。可见,高山森林凋落物分解过程受到林窗的显著影响,并且阔叶和针叶凋落叶在非生长季节和生长季节对林窗的响应具有明显差异。 Abstract:Forest gaps are one of the most normal interferences in primary forest ecosystems, and they play an important role in not only aboveground processes but also belowground processes. However, many studies have paid more attention to the effects of forest gaps on aboveground processes. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that forest gaps have a strong effect on mass loss and carbon and nutrient release in litter by redistributing precipitation, light, and other environmental factors. At high latitudes and altitudes, litter decomposition due to forest gaps may be more complex because of seasonal snow cover and freeze-thaw cycles. Theoretically, interception of rainfall and snowfall in the winter by the canopy and canopy shading may cause the hydrothermal dynamics on the forest floor to vary with respect to gap sizes and critical periods. Currently, little information is available on the effects of gap sizes on litter decomposition at different critical periods. In order to understand the effects of forest gaps on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems at high altitudes, litterbags with red birch (Betula albosinensis) and Minjiang fir (Abies faxoniana) foliar litter were incubated on the forest floor in small, medium, and large gaps and the adjacent closed canopy from November 21, 2011 to October 29, 2012. Then, the litterbags were sampled at the periods of onset of soil freezing (OF), soil deep-freezing (DF), soil thawing (TP), early growth (EP), mid-growth (MP), and late growth (LP), and the mass loss was calculated. After a year of litter decomposition, red birch and Minjiang foliar litter lost 27.25-30.12% and 27.04-27.96% mass, respectively. The mass loss of red birch and Minjiang fir foliar litter in the non-growing season accounted for 53.8-60.18% and 50.23-59.09% of the total mass loss, respectively. Gap sizes have strong effects on the mass loss of Minjiang fir and red birch foliar litter, depending on tree species and sampling periods. Forest gaps accelerated the litter decomposition of Minjiang fir, but slowed down the litter decomposition of red birch. Regardless of tree species, forest gaps significantly accelerated the rates of mass loss of foliar litter in the non-growing season (P < 0.05), but significantly lowered them in the growing season (P < 0.05). The rates of mass loss of foliar litter increased with gap sizes in the non-growing season, but decreased with gap sizes in the growing season. Moreover, the rates of mass loss of Minjiang fir foliar litter in the periods of OF, DF, and TP increased significantly with gap sizes (P < 0.05), but the effects on red birch foliar litter were not significant (P > 0.05). In addition, the contribution of litter mass loss at different critical periods to a year of mass loss was in the order of DF > MP > OF > EP > LP > TP. Mass loss of red birch foliar litter in the non-growing season accounted for 60.18%, 54.46%, 55.34%, and 53.83% of the one-year mass loss in large gaps, middle gaps, small gaps, and closed canopy, respectively; similarly, the contributions of mass loss of Minjiang fir foliar litter to the one-year mass loss in the non-growing season were 59.09%, 54.37%, 52.22%, and 50.23%, respectively. These results suggest that forest gaps accelerated the mass loss of foliar litter in the snow-cover season, but slowed down the mass loss in the growing season. The responses of litter decomposition to gap sizes in the snow-cover season were different from those in the growing season, implying that gap sizes could have strong effects on litter decomposition at different critical periods in the coniferous forest ecosystem of alpine regions. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Long-term litter decomposition controlled by manganese redox cycling

Litter decomposition is a keystone ecosystem process impacting nutrient cycling and productivity, soil properties, and the terrestrial carbon (C) balance, but the factors regulating decomposition rate are still poorly understood. Traditional models assume that the rate is controlled by litter quality, relying on parameters such as lignin content as predictors. However, a strong correlation has been observed between the manganese (Mn) content of litter and decomposition rates across a variety of forest ecosystems. Here, we show that long-term litter decomposition in forest ecosystems is tightly coupled to Mn redox cycling. Over 7 years of litter decomposition, microbial transformation of litter was paralleled by variations in Mn oxidation state and concentration. A detailed chemical imaging analysis of the litter revealed that fungi recruit and redistribute unreactive Mn(2+) provided by fresh plant litter to produce oxidative Mn(3+) species at sites of active decay, with Mn eventually accumulating as insoluble Mn(3+/4+) oxides. Formation of reactive Mn(3+) species coincided with the generation of aromatic oxidation products, providing direct proof of the previously posited role of Mn(3+)-based oxidizers in the breakdown of litter. Our results suggest that the litter-decomposing machinery at our coniferous forest site depends on the ability of plants and microbes to supply, accumulate, and regenerate short-lived Mn(3+) species in the litter layer. This observation indicates that biogeochemical constraints on bioavailability, mobility, and reactivity of Mn in the plant-soil system may have a profound impact on litter decomposition rates.

Lignin and its effects on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems

Lignin is a major component of plant litter. In this review, we found lignin comprises a complex class of organic compounds whose concentration differs greatly both between and within plant species. There are many analytical methods for detecting the composition and structure of lignins. As lignins are enormously complex compounds, chemical assay is difficult and different methods vary with the results. Lignin plays a significant role in the carbon cycle, sequestering atmospheric carbon into the living tissues of woody perennial vegetation. It has also great effects on nitrogen dynamics of forest ecosystems as well as other ecological processes. Lignin is one of the most slowly decomposing components of dead vegetation, contributing a major fraction of the material that becomes humus as it decomposes. Lignin is highly correlated with decomposition of litter. Thus, there is evidence that the lignin concentration is a more influential factor than the other chemical concentrations, in determining the rate of leaf litter decomposition of different forest ecosystems. Although a great number of researchers have addressed lignin's role in litter decomposition, still there are many aspects of lignin biogeochemistry that are not known. This lack of information hinders complete amalgam of lignin effects on litter decomposition processes and dynamics of nutrient cycling.

Response of litter decomposition and related soil enzyme activities to different forms of nitrogen fertilization in a subtropical forest

AbstractWith the continuing increase in the impact of human activities on ecosystems, ecologists are increasingly becoming interested in understanding the effects of nitrogen deposition on litter decomposition. At present, numerous studies have investigated the effects of single form of nitrogen fertilization on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems. However, forms of N deposition vary, and changes in the relative importance of different forms of N deposition are expected in the future. Thus, identifying the effects of different forms of N deposition on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems is a pressing task. In this study, two dominant litter types were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Quercus acutissima leaves from a late succession broad‐leaved forest and Pinus massoniana needles from an early succession coniferous forest. The litter samples were incubated in microcosms with original forest soil and treated with four different forms of nitrogen fertilization [NH4+, NO3−, CO(NH2)2, and a mix of all three]. During a 5‐month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil pH values, and soil enzyme activities were determined. Results show that all four forms of nitrogen fertilization significantly accelerate litter decomposition rates in the broadleaf forest, while only two forms of nitrogen fertilization [i.e., mixed nitrogen and CO(NH2)2] significantly accelerate litter decomposition rates in the coniferous forest. Litter decomposition rates with the mixed nitrogen fertilization were higher than those in any single form of nitrogen fertilization. All forms of nitrogen fertilization enhanced soil enzyme activities (i.e., catalase, cellulase, invertase, polyphenol oxidase, nitrate reductase, urease, and acid phosphatase) during the litter decomposition process for the two forest types. Soil enzyme activities under the mixed nitrogen fertilization were higher than those under any single form of nitrogen fertilization. These results suggest that the type and activity of the major degradative enzymes involved in litter decomposition vary in different forest types under different forms of nitrogen fertilization. They also indicate that a long‐term consequence of N deposition‐induced acceleration of litter decomposition rates in subtropical forests may be the release of carbon stored belowground to the atmosphere.

Mixed Inorganic and Organic Nitrogen Addition Enhanced Extracellular Enzymatic Activities in a Subtropical Forest Soil in East China

To date, numerous studies have employed single type nitrogen (N) addition methods in reporting influences of N deposition on soil extracellular enzymatic activities (EEA) during litter decomposition in forest ecosystems. As natural atmospheric N deposition is a set of complex compounds including inorganic N and organic N, it is essential for investigating responses of soil EEA to various mixed N fertilization. In a subtropical forest stand in Zijin Mountain, East China, various N fertilizers with different inorganic N and organic N ratios were added to soils monthly from 2008 to 2009. Samples were harvested from N fertilized and control plots every 4 months. Subsequently, six EEA were assayed. A laboratory experiment was also conducted simultaneously. Both field and laboratory experiments showed that various mixed N fertilizations revealed different influences on soil EEA. Acceleration of most soil EEA by mixed N fertilization was greater than that of single N fertilization. The majority of soil extracellular enzymes exhibited the highest activities under mixed N fertilization, with the ratio of inorganic N to organic N at 3:7. These results suggested that N type and ratio of inorganic N and organic N were important factors controlling soil EEA, and the 3:7 ratio of inorganic N and organic N may be the optimum for soil EEA.

Fungal ingrowth on forest floor and decomposing needle litter of Chamaecyparis obtusa in relation to resource availability and moisture condition

Fungi play an important role in litter decomposition in forest ecosystems and studies are needed to follow the changes in hyphal abundance during litter decomposition and examine the factors regulating the ingrowth of hyphae in litter. The purposes of the present study are to demonstrate the patterns of needle decomposition of Chamaecyparis obtusa in terms of the vertical distribution of fungal biomass and chemical properties within litter horizons (L1, L2, F, and H layers) and fungal ingrowth and succession in relation to organic chemical and nitrogen dynamics during needle litter decomposition over a one-year period. A further aim is to assess the effect of moisture and availability of organic matter on live hyphal length, during 1 year of decomposition. Live hyphal length was correlated to holocellulose concentration in four litter horizons. In a litter bag experiment, total (live plus dead) hyphal length increased during decomposition which was correlated to the concentrations of nitrogen, lignin, holocellulose, and soluble carbohydrate in the litter. The 12-month period over which decomposition was measured was divided into four seasons and the correlation between the water content and live hyphal length was evaluated for each period. The length of live hyphae was correlated to the water content of litter in all four periods. The slopes of regression lines between the water content and live hyphal length were positively correlated to the mean concentrations of soluble carbohydrate of each period, suggesting that the growth of live hyphae was highly dependent on the moisture condition of litter, and under moist conditions on the availability of soluble carbohydrate in the litter. The decrease in the slopes during decomposition can be ascribed to ecophysiological traits of fungi responsible for decomposition in these periods.