Incorporation of carbon from decomposing litter of two pioneer plant species into microbial communities of the detritusphere

Abstract

Initial ecosystems are characterized by a low availability of nutrients and a low soil organic matter content. Interactions of plants and microorganisms in such environments, particularly in relation to litter decomposition, are very important for further ecosystem development. In a litter decomposition study using an initial substrate from a former mining area, we applied the litter of two contrasting pioneer plant species (legume vs. pasture plants), Lotus corniculatus and Calamagrostis epigejos, which are commonly observed in the study area. Litter decomposition was investigated and carbon (C) translocation from litter into soil microorganisms was described by following (13) C from labelled plant litter materials into the fraction of phospholipid fatty acids. Labile C compounds of both plant litter types were easily degraded during the first 4 weeks of litter decomposition. In contrast to climax ecosystems, where the importance of fungi for litter degradation has been shown in many studies, in our experiment, data clearly indicate an outcompetition of fungi by Gram-positive bacteria as soon as available nitrogen is limited in the detritusphere.

Uncoupling of microbial community structure and function in decomposing litter across beech forest ecosystems in Central Europe

“…This assumption is based on sample timing at 89 DAI to 473 DAI. By 89 DAI, a residual effect from PLFA or enzymes from the residual litter would be minimal, especially because the litter was dried and processed before plot establishment23. Based on the results of leaf litter decomposition rates of the same experiment, we showed that forest management practices significantly influence the decomposition kinetics (BA forest has higher decomposition rate than BU forest)12.…”

Nitrogen turnover in soil and global change

“…This fits with the intermediate‐disturbance hypothesis, postulating that medium disturbance events cause the highest diversification (Molino & Sabatier, 2001). However, besides the development of plant–microorganism interactions, the intermediate phase of ecosystem development is also characterized by highly efficient degradation of litter and subsequent N mineralization (Esperschütz et al , 2011) as well as an increase in fungal biomass (Bardgett & Walker, 2004), probably also of arbuscular mycorrhiza, which may contribute to a better distribution of the N in soil with ongoing succession. At this stage, the abundance and activity of nitrifiers (Nicol et al , 2005) and denitrifiers (Smith & Ogram, 2008) is still low due to the high N demand of the plants.…”

Litter decomposition in forest ecosystems: a review

“…Nutrient cycles in rain forests differ with soil type, climate and topographic locations; hence, the moisture content and temperature are also unavoidable factors in the litter degradation process (Esperschutz et al 2011). …”