Mixing effects on litter decomposition rates in a young tree diversity experiment

Setiawan, Nuri Nurlaila; Vanhellemont, Margot; Schrijver, An De; Schelfhout, Stephanie; Baeten, Lander; Verheyen, Kris

doi:10.1016/j.actao.2015.12.003

Cited by 37 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…In contrast, in litter mixtures with low mean WHC, moisture conditions were unfavourable for decomposers and the litter species with the lowermost WHC probably benefited more from the presence of another litter species with somewhat higher WHC. We note, however, that other studies have found a positive relationship between decomposability of litter mixtures and synergistic effects (Cuchietti, Marcotti, Gurvich, Cingolani, & Pérez Harguindeguy, ; Setiawan et al., ), the issue hence requires further investigation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Functionally or phylogenetically distinct neighbours turn antagonism among decomposing litter species into synergy

et al. 2018

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Plant species coexisting in direct contact produce patches of mixed litters. Mixing litter sometimes synergistically accelerates and sometimes antagonistically decelerates litter decomposition, but we insufficiently understand why. Here, we hypothesize that antagonism or synergy within a mixed‐litter patch depends on the neighbouring litter matrix. Specifically, phylogenetical or functional dissimilarity within neighbouring litter, or among patch and neighbouring litter, may favour complementarity and thereby within‐patch synergy. From a pool of 20 grassland species, we created 120 mixed‐litter patches of two species, and exposed these patches to neighbourhoods in long‐term grassland mesocosms of different functional and phylogenetic compositions. We found 60% less (antagonism) to 80% more (synergy) decomposition than expected from single‐species litters. Functionally similar, and grass‐dominated, mixed‐litter patches decomposed most synergistically. Synergy was most strongly favoured by phylogenetic distance among neighbours and functional dissimilarity between neighbours and patch. Synthesis. Our results show that the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning was context‐dependent. We suggest that the coexistence of grasses and the formation of phylogenetically diverse, functionally distinct, patchy vegetation may be reinforced by synergistic nutrient recycling.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Functionally or phylogenetically distinct neighbours turn antagonism among decomposing litter species into synergy

et al. 2018

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“…Furthermore, some researchers concluded that when different litters are mixed, the litter that is more easily decomposed can promote the decomposition of the litter that is more difficult to decompose, and a synergistic effect is expected (Liu, Sun, Huang, Li, & Han, 2007;Wardle, Bonner, & Nicholson, 1997 hydrothermal factors play a key role in litter decomposition, and the effects of different types of litter on litter decomposition may be negligible because changes in moisture and temperature conditions conceal the effect of litter quality on litter decomposition (Chen, Li, & Huang, 2011;Wardle, Nilsson, Zackrisson, & Gallet, 2003). However, most researchers believe that litter quality should be considered in mixed litter decomposition (Cuchietti, Marcotti, Gurvich, Cingolani, & Harguindeguy, 2014;Gartner & Cardon, 2004;Setiawan et al, 2016). The quality and spatial structure of litter changed when different types of litter are mixed, increasing the litter complexity and heterogeneity and thus changing the physical and chemical environment of litter decomposition (Wardle, Bonner, & Nicholson, 1997).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial lignin content as an indicator for predicting leaf litter decomposition and the mixed effects of two perennial gramineous plants in a desert steppe: A 5‐year long‐term study

et al. 2019

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Leaf is the main component of litter that often exists in mixed forms in nature. However, the mixed effects of leaf litter decomposition in desert ecosystems remain unclear. To reveal the mixed effects and the influence of litter quality on leaf litter decomposition in desert ecosystems, a 5‐year long‐term study was conducted to compare the observed and expected leaf litter mass loss in single‐species and mixed (equal proportions and natural proportions) litters of two typical perennial gramineous plants (Stipa klemenzii and Achnatherum splendens) in a desert steppe in Northern China. The relationship between litter mass loss and litter qualities was also analysed. The results showed that (a) after 5 years of decomposition, the mass losses of mixed litter in natural proportions and S. klemenzii litter were significantly higher than those of mixed litter in equal proportions and A. splendens litter; (b) the mixed effects of two litters in different ratios varied with time, and the synergistic effect only appeared in the second year when an easily decomposed litter (S. klemenzii) was mixed with a slowly decomposing litter (A. splendens); and (c) litter mass loss was not correlated with the initial carbon or nitrogen content but was negatively correlated with the initial lignin content, and the initial lignin content also had a significant effect on litter mixed effects of these two perennial gramineous plant litters. These results can suggest that the initial lignin content is an indicator of predicting decomposition and mixed effects of litter with low nitrogen content.

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“…This insight points to the importance of additional, currently undiscovered mechanisms determining decomposition processes. These may include rather local effects of decomposer organisms [89,90], caused by e.g., litter affinity of decomposer organisms [91,92], temporal shifts of decomposer communities during decomposition [93] and responses to different levels of litter species diversity [81,94].…”

Section: Soil Ecological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

et al. 2018

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Humus forms are the morphological results of organic matter decay and distribution in the topsoil, and thus important indicators for decomposer activities in forest ecosystems. The first aim was to examine if humus forms are suitable indicators of microbiological properties of the topsoil in a high mountain forest (Val di Rabbi, Trentino, Italian Alps). The second aim was to predict microbiological parameters based on the topsoil pH value on two slopes of the study area (ca. 1200-2200 m a.s.l.). We investigated humus forms and determined pH values and microbiological parameters (enzymatic activities, carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio and the ratio of bacterial/archaeal abundance) of the uppermost mineral horizon. The results reveal significant correlations between pH value and microbiological parameters (except for bacterial/archaeal abundance), which enable upscaling to the landscape scale using linear models. Based on a random forest with kriging of model residuals, predictive maps of humus form, pH value and microbiological parameters show that decomposition processes in our study area correspond with the topography. As compared to locations on south-facing slopes or close to the valley bottom, locations on north-facing slopes or close to the upper treeline exhibit Moder (scarcely Mull or Amphimull), more acidic topsoil (around pH 4), a lower activity of leucine-aminopeptidase, a lower ratio of alkaline/acid phosphomonoesterase activity and a higher soil C/N ratio (above 20). Our results suggest a high potential of humus forms to indicate soil microbiological properties in a high mountain forest. Together with the pH values of the topsoil, humus forms proved to be a useful tool as a basis for predictive maps of leucine-aminopeptidase activity, ratio of alkaline/acid phosphomonoesterase activity and C/N ratio of the mineral topsoil.

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Mixing effects on litter decomposition rates in a young tree diversity experiment

Cited by 37 publications

References 44 publications

Functionally or phylogenetically distinct neighbours turn antagonism among decomposing litter species into synergy

Functionally or phylogenetically distinct neighbours turn antagonism among decomposing litter species into synergy

Initial lignin content as an indicator for predicting leaf litter decomposition and the mixed effects of two perennial gramineous plants in a desert steppe: A 5‐year long‐term study

Humus Forms and Soil Microbiological Parameters in a Mountain Forest: Upscaling to the Slope Scale

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