Decomposition of Leaf Litter in Relation to Environment, Microflora, and Microbial Respiration

Abstract

Bacterial and fungal counts, mycelial growth, microbial evolution of Co2, and substrate moisture and temperature in bags with litter of either mulberry, redbud, white oak, loblolly pine, or beech were measured biweekly over the period November 1960—November 1961 in oak, pine, and maple stands at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Serial dilution plate method and closed—box technique were effective for measuring microbial densities and microbial respiration respectively. Microbial densities, microbial respiration, and annual weight losses of species declined in the order mulberry, redbud, white oak, pine, beech, ad were significantly positively correlated. Stand effects were not significant possibly due to partial exclusion of stand effects in the bags. Microbial densities and moisture conditions of the various leaf species converged with time and their short—term fluctuations decreased indicating homogenation of substrate and stabilization of microbial populations. Microbial respiration was controlled in decreasing order by temperature (T), bacterial density (B), moisture (M/D), and the number of weeks (W) since leaf drop. An effective model for prediction of microbial respiration (C) is C = 46.5 + 3.2T + 26.9 M/D + 11.4 log B — 0.6W. Mean CO2 production was 0.17 liters/g substrate decomposed. Production was higher for rapidly decomposing leaf species dominated by relatively inefficient bacterial flora than for slowly decaying litter with predominantly more efficient fungi. Loss of weight and respiration were highly correlated with a microbial population estimate, combining bacterial and fungal counts.

Cadaver decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems

“…After maggot migration, this input was associated with an increase of 1.4-2.7 μg CO 2 -C g −1 cadaver (dry weight) per hour (h −1 ) during cold seasons and 41-68 μg CO 2 -C g −1 cadaver (dry weight) h −1 during warm seasons (Putman 1976(Putman , 1978b. By comparison to other organic resources, Putman (1983) demonstrated that similar levels of CO 2 -C can evolve during the decomposition of fecal matter (millipede pellets: Glomeris marginata Villers, 1789) (Nicholson et al 1966) and plant litter (redbud leaves: Cercis canadensis L.) (Witkamp 1966). However, peak levels of microbial activity associated with fecal and plant resources tend to occur immediately after introduction to the soil when the readily available components are accessible.…”

Effect of bentonite and zeolite on some characteristics of acidic sandy soil and on the biomass of a test plant

“…The number of aerobic cellulose decomposing and nitrifying bacteria was determined (POCHON & TARDIEUX, 1962) with the MPN (Most Probable Number) method in liquid culture media. The further parameters were the soil respiration (WITKAMP, 1966. cit.…”

Earthworm, microbial biomass, and leaf litter decay responses after invasive honeysuckle shrub removal from urban woodlands.

“…No statistically significant differences were observed between honeysuckle shrub present and removed plots within any particular date using the false discovery rate for multiple comparisons. Decomposition is a complex process that is influenced by a number of interacting factors, including regional climate (Meentemeyer 1978;Couteaux et al 1995;Aerts 1997), microclimatic conditions (Moore 1986;Hornsby et al 1995), the chemical quality of the leaf litter (Pereira et al 1998;Melillo et al 1982), and the decomposer community (Witkamp 1966;Seastedt 1984;Heneghan et al 2007). Much of our understanding of decomposition and the factors that influence it comes from studies focusing on the litter dynamics of single species (Blair et al 1990).…”