Decomposition of leaf litter in an Appalachian forest: effects of leaf species, aspect, slope position and time

Mudrick, Darlene A.; Hoosein, Macsood; Hicks, Ray R.; Townsend, Edwin C.

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(94)90048-5

Cited by 68 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Therefore, new cycles of thinning operations would be needed in the Pinus spp. plantations to improve forest litter decomposition, which is a major pathway for providing organic and inorganic elements for the nutrient cycling processes (Mudrick et al, 1994). In Mediterranean forest ecosystems, the role of litter decomposition in nutrient cycling becomes still more important when considering the degradation of forest vegetation and soils by wild fires and overgrazing (Kavvadias et al, 2001).…”

Section: Species Forest Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon content of forest floor and mineral soil in Mediterranean Pinus spp. and Oak stands in acid soils in Northern Spain

et al. 2016

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Aim of study: The aim of the study was to determine the baseline carbon stock in forest floor and mineral soils in pine and oak stands in acid soils in Northern Spain.Area of study: The study area is situated in northern Spain (42° N, 4° W) on "Paramos y Valles" region of Palencia. Material and methods:An extensive monitoring composed of 48 plots (31 in pine and 17 in oak stands) was carried out. Litter layers and mineral soil samples, at depths of 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm, were taken in each plot. An intensive monitoring was also performed by sampling 12 of these 48 plots selected taken in account species forest composition and their stand development stage. Microbial biomass C (C MB ), C mineralization (C RB ), and soil organic C balance at stand level were determined in surface soil samples of intensive monitoring.Main results: No differences in soil C content were detected in the two forest ecosystems up to 60 cm depth (53.0±25.8 Mg C ha -1 in Pinus spp. plantations and 60.3±43.8 Mg C ha -1 in oak stands). However, differences in total C (C T ), C MB and C RB were found in the upper 10 cm of the soils depending on the stand development stage in each species forest composition (Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster, Pinus sylvestris and Quercus pyrenaica). Plots with high development stage exhibited significant lower metabolic quotient (qCO 2 ), so, meant more efficient utilization of C by the microbial community. The C content in the forest floor was higher in pine stands (13.7±0.9 Mg C ha -1 ) than in oak stands (5.4±0.7 Mg C ha -1 ). A greater turnover time was found in pine ecosystems vs. oak stands. In contrast, forest floor H layer was nonexistent in oak stands.Research highlights: Results about litterfall, forest floor and mineral soil dynamics in this paper can be used strategically to reach environmental goals in new afforestation programs and sustainable forest management approaches.

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Section: Species Forest Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon content of forest floor and mineral soil in Mediterranean Pinus spp. and Oak stands in acid soils in Northern Spain

et al. 2016

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“…The daily mean soil temperature and daily mean soil water content were calculated. Soil samples were collected from the soil surface to a depth of 10 cm with a soil sampling container (100 cm 3 ) from all the plots in March, June, and October 2010. At each plot, four sampling points were randomly selected 1.5-2 m from the base of a tree trunk to minimize the direct physical and chemical influences of roots [4].…”

Section: Soil Measurements Sampling and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Various factors control leaf litter decomposition, including climate [2], topography [3,4], chemical characteristics of leaf litter [5,6], and terrestrial microbiota [7]. Among those factors, climate, especially temperature and precipitation, is a dominant factor determining leaf litter decomposition patterns in regions experiencing distinct seasonal climate change [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Pattern of Decomposition and N, P, and C Dynamics in Leaf litter in a Mongolian Oak Forest and a Korean Pine Plantation

Sohng

Han

Jeong

et al. 2014

Forests

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Distinct seasons and diverse tree species characterize temperate deciduous forests in NE Asia, but large areas of deciduous forests have been converted to conifer plantations. This study was conducted to understand the effects of seasons and tree species on leaf litter decomposition in a temperate forest. Using the litterbag method, the decomposition rate and nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dynamics of Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), and their mixed leaf litter were compared for 24 months in a Mongolian oak stand, an adjacent Korean pine plantation, and a Mongolian oak-Korean pine mixed stand. The decomposition rates of all the leaf litter types followed a pattern of distinct seasonal changes: most leaf litter decomposition occurred during the summer. Tree species was less influential on the leaf litter decomposition. The decomposition rates among different leaf litter types within the same stand were not significantly different, indicating no mixed litter effect. The immobilization of leaf litter N and P lasted for 14 months. Mongolian OPEN ACCESSForests 2014, 5 2562 oak leaf litter and Korean pine leaf litter showed different N and P contents and dynamics during the decomposition, and soil P2O5 was highest in the Korean pine plantation, suggesting effects of plantation on soil nutrient budget.

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“…Maps of tropical soils, however, often fail to represent this variation, due, at least in part, to the limited availability of spatial data at fine spatial resolutions (Band et al, 1991;Mudrick et al, 1994;Silver et al, 1994;Kern et al, 1997). Nevertheless, estimates of the spatial variability of SOC storage and flux are critical for understanding the role of soil in regional and global carbon cycles and for assessing responses of soil and vegetation to natural and anthropogenic disturbances such as hurricanes, landuse change and climate change (Raich, 1983;Detwiler, 1986;Detwiler and Hall, 1988;Brown and Lugo, 1990;Sanford et al, 1991;Zou et al, 1995;Everham, 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and seasonal dynamics of surface soil carbon in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

Wang

Cornell

Hall

et al. 2002

Ecological Modelling

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Decomposition of leaf litter in an Appalachian forest: effects of leaf species, aspect, slope position and time

Cited by 68 publications

References 15 publications

Carbon content of forest floor and mineral soil in Mediterranean Pinus spp. and Oak stands in acid soils in Northern Spain

Carbon content of forest floor and mineral soil in Mediterranean Pinus spp. and Oak stands in acid soils in Northern Spain

Seasonal Pattern of Decomposition and N, P, and C Dynamics in Leaf litter in a Mongolian Oak Forest and a Korean Pine Plantation

Spatial and seasonal dynamics of surface soil carbon in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico

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