Feb 01, 2005 living plant diversity can influence decomposition and nutrient dynamics through changes in microclimatic conditions 1, 3, complementary nutrient use 4, 5, and rhizosphere processes. Potential mechanisms for the frequently observed litter diversity effects on mass loss and nitrogen dynamics include fungidriven nutrient. Soil animals alter plant litter diversity effects on. A remaining mass in litterbags after 30 and 270 days of decomposition in the field for each litter condition decomposed in the same site of production, b effect of litter quality over remaining mass at 30 days and 270 days, and c effect of site over remaining mass at 30 and 270 days. Investigating the effects of litter quality and precipitation on litter decomposition in a lowland tropical rain forest receiving 5000 mmyr precipitation. Remaining mass in litterbags after 30 and 270 decomposition days. Microbial activities, as determined by 14cacetate incorporation into extractable lipids, associated with carex litter. Leaf litter decomposition at missouri ozarks managed landscape. Direct and legacy effects of planttraits control litter. The second part deals with the environmental conditions under which breakdown occurs over the whole global surface. Since the publication of the 2 nd edition, there have been substantial developments in the field of litter decomposition.
Longterm patterns of mass loss during the decomposition of leaf. Aug 19, 2005 influence of grazing on the decomposition of pinus pinea l. Volume 1 contains 7 chapters, the titles of which are as follows. The most extreme variability of litterfall is seen as a function of seasonality. The balance between litter inputs and heterotrophic litter decomposition influences the amount of carbon stored in the forest floor. Large herbivores act as a major driver of plant litter decomposition in grasslands. Earthworms, arthropods and plant litter decomposition in. The main objective of this book is to provide students and laboratory instructors at universities and professional ecologists with a broad range of established methods to study plant litter. Encyclopedia of applied plant sciences pdf free download. In addition, the amount and quality of plant litter input have a strong impact on c and nutrient cycling 68. Influence of grazing on the decomposition of pinus pinea l.
These drivers may affect decomposition directly, through changes in abiotic conditions, and indirectly through changes in plant and decomposer communities. This interception may influence the decomposition of incoming litter but this has been little explored. Litter decomposition is controlled by a number of factors such as temperature, moisture, litter quality, and the composition of soil microbial communities. Fear of predation slows plantlitter decomposition science. While this partitioning is specific for each plant residue type, the decay rates of. They are characterized by cold climate, a long period of snow cover, slow decomposition of organic matter and poor plant nitrogen n supply persson, 1980. This detritus or dead organic material and its constituent nutrients are added to the top layer of soil, commonly known as the litter layer or o horizon o for. Okeke and omaliko 4, tropical ecosystem soils are low in nutrients, so there decomposition of litter is quite important for regenerating the soil fertility. Biology of plant litter decomposition, volume 1 focuses on decomposition of various types of litter, which include all plant remains, ranging from still standing dead trees to the decomposing hyphae of fungi and bacterial cells, including herbivore dung. As most of the plant biomassderived carbon in the forests is mineralized in the litter layer, an understanding of this process and the microorganisms involved is essential for the identification of factors that affect global carbon fluxes voriskova and baldrian, 20. The litter decomposition rate was found to be unrelated to the initial carbon c, whereas it was negatively correlated with the initial total nitrogen n and n.
The concept adopts the hypothesis that fire regimes sensu morgan et al. The rate of litter loss, and the release of n, p, k, ca during litter decomposition of two c4 plants dichanthium ischaemum l. Toolik lake is slightly buffered, deep, and very oligotrophic. The effects can be divided further into direct and indirect ones. Bacterial community composition showed a significant positive correlation with the mass loss rate indicating a feedback between plant and soil microbial communities. Pdf plant litter decomposition and nutrient release in. This fully revised and updated 3 rd edition of plant litter reflects and discusses new findings and reevaluates earlier ones in light of recent research and with regard to current areas of investigation the availability of several longterm studies allows a more in. Litter decomposition encompasses ample breakdown of organic matter into co 2 and nutrients via physical, biological and chemical pathways aerts 1997. Most commonly, plant residues are partitioned into a rapidly and a slowly decomposing litter pool pansu et al.
Solar radiation is a dominant control on the rate of leaf litter decomposition in the semiarid patagonian steppe, which suggests that factors such as cloud cover may influence carbon cycling in. Our work addresses whether food web structure especially the existence of predators influences ecosystem functioning via changes in the nutritional contents of prey 5, 6. In turn, the decomposition of these stressed herbivores alters the function of belowground communities, leading to an overall decrease in the decomposition of plant litter. Are litter decomposition and fire linked through plant. Warming between 4 and 10 c significantly increased rates of soil and litter respiration, litter decomposition, litter nitrogen release, and soil net nitrogen.
Towards harmonizing leaf litter decomposition studies. To examine the fate of each yearly litter cohort respired as co 2 or incorporated into soil organic matter and quantify the effects of initial litter quality, crop rotation, and irrigation on decomposition in an agroecosystem. Most studies interested in latitudinal gradients of decomposition have focused on substrate quality and climate effects on decomposition, and have excluded explicit recognition of the soil organisms. Ppt leaf litter decomposition at missouri ozarks managed. The decomposition of plant residues is influenced by their chemical composition, the physicalchemical environment, and the decomposer organisms. Indeed, as long as the rate of litter decomposition remains lower than the rate of above and belowground litter production, a net accumulation of peat. N ratio displayed quadratic parabolas opening upward and downward, respectively. Formation of the mor type of forest litter, characterized by slow decomposition, has been attributed to a number of factors, but the effect of mycorrhizal fungi, though postulated4,5, has not. Large herbivores influence plant litter decomposition by. Dec 16, 2012 feather mosses form a thick ground layer in boreal forests that can intercept incoming litter fall. Barker department of animal and plant sciences, university of shef. Biology of plant litter decomposition v1 1st edition.
Tree species effect on litter decomposition and nutrient. Large herbivores can affect litter decomposition by modifying each of these factors. Highly consistent effects of plant litter identity and. The modifications of soil biotic and abiotic properties, as well as the changes in quality cn ratio of plant litter, are two key pathways by which large herbivores can affect litter decomposition. Influences of plant litter diversity on decomposition. Statistical methods annual decomposition rates k values were determined by species and throughfall treatment mass loss data were analyzed using a negative exponential decay model y100ekt olsen. Differential contribution of soil biota groups to plant. Accumulation and release of plant nutrients in decomposing.
Plant litter is an important source of soil organic c as well as for co 2 liberated into the. We explore empirical and theoretical evidence for the functional significance of plant litter diversity and the extraordinary high diversity of decomposer organisms in the process of litter decomposition and the consequences for biogeochemical cycles. Plant decomposition is dependant on the activity of the soil biota and its interactions with climate, soil properties, and plant residue inputs. We need to know whether the nutrients released are retained or lost from the system, whether rates of decomposition can be manipulated to improve nutrient use efficiency, and how the various fractions of plant residues translate into pools of organic matter.
Microbial activities, as determined by 14cacetate incorporation into extractable lipids, associated with carex litter were significantly p plant litter carbon as co, into the atmosphere. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. The modications of soil biotic and abiotic properties, as well as the changes in quality cn ratio of plant litter, are two key pathways by which large herbivores can aect litter decomposition. Gbp 520, isbn 0122270509 it is a big challenge to edit a modern encyclopedia in applied plant science because this field ranges from molecular analysis of genes of biotechnological importance to.
Linkages between plant litter decomposition, litter quality. Litter decomposition plays a vital part in the nutrient budget of a forest ecosystem, where flora is influenced most significantly by nutrient recycling from plant litter vesterdal 1999. Pdf measurement of leaf litter decomposition researchgate. Jan 30, 2017 the litter decomposition rate was found to be unrelated to the initial carbon c, whereas it was negatively correlated with the initial total nitrogen n and n. This work assessed the roles of different groups of the soil biota on litter decomposition, and the way they are modulated by soil use. Potential mechanisms for the frequently observed litterdiversity effects on mass loss and nitrogen dynamics include. Pdf a plant economics spectrum of litter decomposition. Each year carbon in fixed photosynthesis and is incorporated into above and belowground biomass. Effects of acid on plant litter decomposition in an arctic. Investigations of litter decomposition at different. We investigated how the moss layer influences decomposition of intercepted litter along a 362year fire driven forest chronosequence in northern sweden across which soil fertility declines. During decomposition, leaf and fine root litter may undergo a later, relatively slow phase.
Plant litter decomposition in a semiarid ecosystem. In boreal forests, fungi play pivotal roles in the circulation of carbon c and nutrients. Chapter methods for estimating litter decomposition. Biodiversity and litter decomposition in terrestrial. Periodic measurements of litterfall and litter decomposition with standard techniques will provide much needed information on carbon and nutrient cycling in forests. To assess indirect effects on litter decomposition, we reciprocally transplanted microbial communities and plant litter among control and treatment plots either drought or n addition in a. Litter decomposition an overview sciencedirect topics.
Litterbags containing recently senesced litter of populus tremuloides aspen and pinus contorta lodgepole pine were placed in aspen and pine forests to monitor their decay rates and quantify litter microarthropod abundance. London, new york, academic press, 1974 dlc 73009457 ocolc947531. Microbial abundance and composition influence litter. Test hypothesisprecipitation driven dissolved organic matter dom fluxes are a significant litter mass loss vector. Decomposition of organic matter is a major ecosystem process involving an array of different organisms, including bacteria, fungi and invertebrates. I compared effects of increased temperature and litter from different alaskan tundra plant species on cycling of carbon and nitrogen through litter and soil in microcosms. The litter layer is quite variable in its thickness, decomposition rate and nutrient content and is affected in part by seasonality, plant species, climate, soil fertility, elevation, and latitude. Living plant diversity can influence decomposition and nutrient dynamics through changes in microclimatic conditions 1, 3, complementary nutrient use 4, 5, and rhizosphere processes. Since the publication of the 2nd edition, there have been substantial developments in the field of litter decomposition. Litter mixing effects on decomposition can change plant nutrient availability 34, 38 and consequently plant growth and net primary productivity 34, 39. Quantify mixed leaf litter chemistry composition during decay. In terrestrial systems, plant litterfall is a primary pathway for the return of nutrients to the soil.
Therefore, the main hypothesis of the present study is that the litter decomposition is regulated by the direct effect of the chemical composition of the plant residues, and the legacy effect on the specialization of the microbial community. Plant litter decomposition is a key process in terrestrial carbon cycling, yet the relative importance of various control factors remains ambiguous at a global scale. A full reciprocal litter transplant study with 16 litter species that. Identify forest management effects on leaf litter decomposition and leaf litter chemistry. Litterfall, nutrient return, and leaflitter decomposition in four. A plant economics spectrum of litter decomposition.
This book, the first of 2 volumes, is concerned with the breakdown of debris with particular emphasis on the type of litter. However, the regression curves of the litter decomposition rate against the total p and c. Direct and legacy effects of plant traits control litter. When a larger c fraction is released into the atmosphere, a smaller c fraction is transferred to humic substances, which can be stored in soils for a long time. Jun 15, 2012 in turn, the decomposition of these stressed herbivores alters the function of belowground communities, leading to an overall decrease in the decomposition of plant litter. P content important control over decomposition rates. Leaf tissue can account for 70% or more of aboveground litterfall in. Abstract we explore empirical and theoretical evidence for the functional significance of plantlitter diversity and the extraordinary high diversity of decomposer organisms in the process of litter decomposition and the consequences for biogeochemical cycles. The effects of acid on the microbial decomposition of the dominant aquatic macrophyte carex sp.
A plant economics spectrum of litter decomposition among coexisting fern species in a subtropical forest. N, p, and minerals can be stored in soils for plant. Linkages between plant litter decomposition, litter quality, and vegetation responses to herbivores d. Accumulation and release of plant nutrients in decomposing scots pine needle litter. Acceleration or deceleration of litter decomposition by. Plant genotype, nutrient environment, and herbivory each altered decomposition. Biology of plant litter decomposition v2 1st edition. The effects of nitrogen n deposition on plant litter and soil organic matter decomposition differ depending on the stage of decomposition early, late, and final stages. Leaf litter n, ca and mn as well as soil n, p and soil moisture were the best predictors for. The effects of the moss layer on the decomposition of. This fully revised and updated 3rd edition of plant litter reflects and discusses new findings and reevaluates earlier ones in light of recent research and with regard to. The interplay of litter species diversity and soil animals reported here, thus, are directly relevant for nutrient supply rates and forest productivity.
Sun, in reference module in earth systems and environmental sciences, 20. We combined senesced litter from each treatment with a common soil inoculum in microcosms and measured soil respiration and litter mass loss over 100 days as estimates of decomposition. Oct 26, 2018 plant litter decomposition is a key process that influences carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Methods to study litter decomposition a practical guide. This fully revised and updated 3 rd edition of plant litter reflects and discusses new findings and reevaluates earlier ones in light of recent research and with regard to current areas of investigation the availability of several longterm studies allows a more indepth. Spatial separation of litter decomposition and mycorrhizal.
Decomposition of plant litter is a crucial process in controlling the carbon balance of peatlands. The second will deal with the organisms involved in decomposition processes and with the different environmental conditions under which breakdown occurs. Linkages between plant litter decomposition, litter. As most of the plant biomassderived carbon in the forests is mineralised in the litter layer, an understanding of this process and the microorganisms involved is essential for the identification of. Plant litter decomposition, humus formation, carbon. Effect of n deposition on decomposition of plant litter and. In advance, nitrogen n, phosphorus p and calcium ca released from plant litter through decomposition are accessible for plants and. Decomposition of plant litter is a key step in nutrient recycling. The decay constants of nutrients during leaflitter decomposition can be arranged in the sequence of kk kp kn, except for leaf litter of ox where. Litterbags of different mesh sizes for the selective exclusion of soil fauna by size macro. Litterfall, plant litter, leaf litter, tree litter, soil litter, or duff, is dead plant material such as leaves, bark, needles, twigs, and cladodes that have fallen to the ground. Soil fauna and plant litter decomposition in tropical and.
Significant differences between fields for each harvest noted by a,b,c p. Decomposition, humus formation, carbon sequestration this fully revised and updated 2nd edition of plant litter focuses on decomposition processes in natural. However, they did find exceptionally high leaf decomposition rates for three invasive shrub species, and conclude that the general perception that invasive plant species have high litter decomposition rates may stem from a bias to. Biological management of nutrient supply to plants is intrinsically more complex than the provision of nutrients as inorganic fertilizers. The first part focuses on the organisms involved in plant litter decomposition, particularly, their structure and function. Estimation of plant litter pools and decompositionrelated. Decomposition of plant litter is a key process for the transfer of. Pdf decomposition is a complex and multistep process of litter breakdown through leaching, mechanical and invertebrate fragmentation, and.
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