Dynamics of multiple metallic elements during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Yue, Kai; Yang, Wanqin; Peng, Yan; Zhang, Chuan; Huang, Chunping; Xu, Zhenfeng; Tan, Bo; Wu, Fuzhong

doi:10.1007/s13595-016-0549-2

Cited by 30 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The lignin and cellulose concentrations were determined using a modified acid detergent solution method (He et al., ). For the concentrations of K, Ca, Mg and Mn, 1.00 g of litter material was first digested with an acid mixture of HNO 3 ‐HClO 4 (5:1, v/v) and heated at 160°C for 5 hr; following this first step, samples were tested using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP‐MS, IRIS Advantage 1000; Thermo Elemental, Waltham, MA, USA) (Yue, Yang, Peng, Zhang, et al., ). We also calculated several litter stoichiometric ratios, including the C:N, C:P, N:P and lignin:N ratios.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the temporal dynamics of aquatic and terrestrial litter decomposition in an alpine forest

et al. 2018

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Litter decomposition supplies nutrients and energy within and among aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It is driven by several biotic and abiotic factors, the relative importance of which may change during litter decay. However, to date, very few studies have addressed the temporal dynamics of such factors across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, which limits our understanding of litter decomposition process. To assess the temporal dynamics of major abiotic and biotic litter decomposition drivers, we conducted a 2‐year field experiment to evaluate the losses of foliar litter carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in alpine streams, riparian zones and forest floors. Environmental (soil, water and climatic) factors were continuously monitored, and incubated plant litter was sampled over time to assess temporal changes in litter chemistry and microbial diversity. We analysed sequential litter decomposition stages based on mass‐loss intervals and used structural equation modelling to disentangle the relative importance of each biotic and abiotic driver. Our results suggested that across the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, litter C and N loss was generally controlled by a common hierarchy of drivers: (a) Environment and initial litter quality regulated C and N loss via both direct and indirect effects, and their total effects were mainly significant in the early and late decomposition stages, respectively; (b) changes in litter chemistry significantly influenced litter decomposition throughout the decomposition process, mainly via direct effects; and (c) microbial diversity per se showed minimal effects on litter C and N loss. The identified common hierarchy of biotic and abiotic drivers and their direct and indirect effects on C and N loss at different decomposition stages across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems indicates the possibility of integrating aquatic and terrestrial decomposition into a single framework for future construction of models accounting for temporal dynamics of litter decomposition. A http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.13143/suppinfo is available for this article.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the temporal dynamics of aquatic and terrestrial litter decomposition in an alpine forest

et al. 2018

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“…The herbaceous plants are mainly fern (Cystopteris montana), Carex spp., and Cyperus spp. (Wu et al 2014, Yue et al 2016c). …”

Section: Site Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

et al. 2016

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. 2016. Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river. Ecosphere 7(10):e01523. 10. 1002/ecs2.1523 Abstract. Lignin and cellulose are thought to be critical factors that affect the rate of litter decomposition; however, few data are available on their degradation dynamics during litter decomposition in lotic ecosystems, such as forest rivers, where litter can decompose much more rapidly than in terrestrial ecosystems. We studied the degradation of lignin and cellulose in the foliar litter of four dominant riparian species (willow: Salix paraplesia; azalea: Rhododendron lapponicum; cypress: Sabina saltuaria; and larch: Larix mastersiana) in an alpine forest river. Over an entire year's incubation, litter lignin and cellulose degraded by 14.7-100% and 57.7-100% of their initial masses, respectively, depending on litter species. Strong degradations of lignin and cellulose occurred in the prefreezing period (i.e., the first 41 d) during litter decomposition, and the degradation rate was the highest among all the decomposition periods regardless of litter species. Litter species, decomposition period, and environmental factors such as temperature and nutrient availability showed significant influences on lignin and cellulose degradation rates. Compared with previously reported data regarding the dynamics of lignin and cellulose during litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems, our results suggest that lignin and cellulose can be degraded much more rapidly in lotic ecosystems, indicating that the traditionally used two-phased model for the dynamics of lignin in decomposing litter may not be suitable in lotic ecosystems.

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“…Accordingly, only considering the release characteristics of single-species components would not result in an accurate assessment of the dynamics of the decomposition of litter mixtures (Gartner and Cardon 2004). Multiple metallic elements, including some essential plant nutrients, such as K, Ca, and Mg, can play crucial roles in plant physiology, whereas others, such as Cu and Zn, can exert toxic effects on organisms when they exceed certain levels (Yue et al 2016). A thorough understanding of the metallic element dynamics and their nonadditive effects associated with in situ litter decomposition is therefore indispensable for a better understanding of their role of plant communities and ecosystem function (Chapin III et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonadditive effects of decomposing mixed foliar litter on the release of several metallic elements in a Pinus massoniana Lamb. forest

Lei

et al. 2020

Annals of Forest Science

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& Key message The mixture of decomposing litter from three predominant tree species in a Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) forest showed advantages in elemental cycling, and the species component identities were found to be an important driver for the release of several metallic elements. & Context Although mixed forests have long been considered essential to sustainable forestry management, little information is available regarding the effects of the mixed planting of predominant afforestation species on several metallic elements during litter decomposition in the Three Gorges Reservoir region, China. & Aims The objectives of this study were to investigate the potential nonadditive effects on element loss from decomposing litter and to estimate the relationship between the mixing effect and the change in litter quality with environmental hydrothermal dynamics.& Methods Treatments with one, two, or three species of pine, oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.) and cypress (Cupressus funebris Endl.) based on equal litter mass proportions were used in a field litter bag experiment, and the release of potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and sodium was measured. & Results Over the 360-day incubation period, most elements decayed faster in oak litter than in the other single-species treatments. A comparison of the litter mixtures revealed that most elements displayed their slowest decay in the pine+cypress combination, whereas the decay values obtained with the cypress+oak or pine+oak combinations were generally greater than those obtained with the pine+cypress+oak combination. Increases in the nonadditive effect on the release of metallic elements, with the exception of calcium, magnesium, and copper, were found in the different phases compared with the incubation time. Changes in elemental traits and environmental hydrothermal dynamics can regulate mixing effects on elemental decay in litter mixtures. & Conclusion The mixing of the studied tree species can alter elemental cycling in plantations, and mixed planting with oak appears to strengthen the cycling process.

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Dynamics of multiple metallic elements during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Cited by 30 publications

References 43 publications

Assessing the temporal dynamics of aquatic and terrestrial litter decomposition in an alpine forest

Assessing the temporal dynamics of aquatic and terrestrial litter decomposition in an alpine forest

Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Nonadditive effects of decomposing mixed foliar litter on the release of several metallic elements in a Pinus massoniana Lamb. forest

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