Responses of Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics to Nitrogen Addition in Temperate Shrublands of North China

Zhang, Jianhua; Li-zhong, HE; Zhang, Hufang; Hong, Zhang; Tang, Zhiyao

doi:10.3389/fpls.2020.618675

Cited by 23 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…Litter decomposition plays a crucial role in determining ecosystem function (Chen et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). It is an important link in the material cycle and nutrient flow that can continuously provide resources to the soil and plants (Scheffer and Aerts, 2000 ; Zhang et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Plants and Species Richness Impact Litter Decomposition in Riparian Zones

Arif²,

Ding³

et al. 2022

Front. Plant Sci.

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Natural ecosystems generally include litter decomposition as part of the natural cycle since the material properties and the environment greatly influence the decomposition rate. The invasion of exotic plants alters the species diversity and growth characteristics of plant communities, but its impact on litter decomposition is unknown in the riparian zone. This study examines how invasive plants affect the early stages of litter decomposition and how species richness impacts them. This experiment involved a random litter mixture of exotic (Alternanthera philoxeroides and Bidens pilosa) and native species in the riparian zone of the Three Gorges Dam Reservoir in China. There were 43 species mixture types, with various species richness ranging from 1 to 6. Litterbags were placed in the hydro-fluctuation zone and terrestrial zone, where they decomposed over the course of 55 days. Invasive plants decompose rapidly compared to native plants (35.71% of the remaining mass of the invasive plant). The invasive plant A. philoxeroides has the potential to accelerate native plant decomposition (0.29 of non-added synergetic effect), but Bidens pilosa cannot. Nonetheless, species richness had little effect on the decomposition rate. These effects are dependent upon differences in chemical functional characteristics among the species. The initial traits of the plants, specifically C, N, and C/N, were significantly and linearly correlated with the loss of mixed litter mass and mixing effect strength (P < 0.01). In addition, submergence decomposition conditions reduce the disturbance of invasive plants and predict decomposition rates based on litter characteristics. Invasive plants can therefore impact the material cycle of an ecosystem. There is a need to examine decomposition time, which may also involve considering other factors.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Plants and Species Richness Impact Litter Decomposition in Riparian Zones

Arif²,

Ding³

et al. 2022

Front. Plant Sci.

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“…It is likely that the higher N in litter will contribute to promoting decomposition and therefore result in more rapid N returns to soils (Huang et al, 2008). However, during the late stage of decomposition, N deposition may inhibit the synthesis of ligninolytic enzymes, and reactions with lignin degradation products can form more recalcitrant complexes, then slow late‐stage decomposition (Gill et al, 2021); thus, overall decomposition rates can be slowed (Berg, 2014; Chen et al, 2013; Liu, Huang, et al, 2010) or not affected (Zhang et al, 2021). This phenomenon should weaken or even reverse the positive feedback between litter N and rates of soil N cycling (Berg, 2014; Hobbie, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrient resorption responses of plant life forms to nitrogen addition in temperate shrublands

et al. 2022

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Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has significantly altered nutrient availability in most terrestrial ecosystems, which may affect plant nutrient resorption and hence change nutrient cycling and community composition. Although studies on the effects of changed soil nutrients on leaf nutrient resorption have been extensively reported in forests and grasslands, much less known about how plants in temperate shrublands respond to nitrogen deposition across the world. A 4-year N addition experiment in Vitex negundo and Spiraea trilobata shrublands was conducted to investigate the potential impacts of N deposition on nutrient resorption in two life forms. The green and senesced leaf N ([N] g and [N] s ) and phosphorus ([P] g and [P] s ) concentrations were measured in four shrubs and two graminoids to calculate N (NRE) and P (PRE) resorption efficiency. We found markedly lower NRE and PRE in shrubs than in graminoids, implying that shrubs probably have a higher capability of acquiring nutrients from soil, whereas graminoids rely on acquiring more nutrients via resorption. N addition increased the [N] g , [N] s , and N:P ratios ([N:P]) and decreased the [P] g of shrubs and all species, whereas it only increased [N] s but had negligible effects on the [N] g , [P] g , and [N:P] of graminoids. The [P] s , NRE, and PRE did not change in either life form or all species combined after N fertilization. Our results suggest that shrubs increase N uptake but do not alter internal N cycling (i.e., nutrient resorption), whereas graminoids do not change N acquisition strategies, in response to increased N supply from the soil. Continuous N addition exacerbated the P limitation of the shrub plants. Both shrubs and graminoids were more likely to adopt nearly complete utilization of P from the soil and senesced leaves under P deficiency, leading to a noneffect of N addition on leaf PRE. Our findings also suggest that the [N] g and [P] g responses to N addition are life-form specific, implying that N addition may affect ecosystem carbon (C) and nutrient cycles by altering the dominance values of the two life forms and community composition.

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“…As compared to other components, leaves and reproductive parts with high N concentration showed fast decomposition. Previous studies (Lv et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2021) slow decomposing litter. However, high N concentration and slow decomposition rate recorded for components like fine and lateral roots suggested that higher N concentration is not the only criteria that determine the rate of decomposition (Tu et al, 2014;Zhu et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2021).…”

Section: Controlling Factorsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Previous studies (Lv et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2021) slow decomposing litter. However, high N concentration and slow decomposition rate recorded for components like fine and lateral roots suggested that higher N concentration is not the only criteria that determine the rate of decomposition (Tu et al, 2014;Zhu et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2021). Other decomposition studies (Silveira et al, 2011) also indicated that the decomposition of plant litter was related more to initial C quality, such as lignin concentration and acid-soluble carbohydrates than to the relative availability of N. Significant (p < 0.01) inverse linear relationship between N and P concentration in residual material and percent weight remaining for all components was observed (Table 7).…”

Section: Controlling Factorsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Nutrient return through decomposing Coriaria nepalensis litter in degraded hills of Kumaun Himalaya, India

Awasthi

Bargali

et al. 2022

Front. For. Glob. Change

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Coriaria nepalensis, a nitrogen-fixing actinorhizal shrub, is a prominent and successful colonizer of bare rocks and landslide affected degraded lands. Field experiments were conducted to determine the differences in biomass decomposition and nutrient release pattern of different plant parts of C. nepalensis using litter bag technique. Results showed that the leaves decomposed completely within 6 months while only 46.55% of the lateral roots were decomposed with slowest decomposition rate of 0.14% day–1. The decomposition rate was in the order: Leaves > Reproductive parts > Twigs (< 5 mm) > Twigs (> 5 mm) > Bark > Fine roots > Lateral roots. The decay rate coefficient was highest (0.003–0.014) for leaves and lowest (0.001–0.002) for lateral roots. During the decomposition cycle (364 days), overall increase was reported in nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, while potassium concentration decreased continuously in residual litters. The nutrient mobility was in the order: K > P > N. Climatic factors like temperature, relative humidity and rainfall significantly affected the decomposition process and among these factors, rainfall pattern emerged as a most effective environmental driver. Thus, taking into account initial nutrient content, nutrient release and decay rates, the leaves and reproductive parts of C. nepalensis proved to be more important as nutrient source than other components.

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Responses of Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Dynamics to Nitrogen Addition in Temperate Shrublands of North China

Cited by 23 publications

References 82 publications

Invasive Plants and Species Richness Impact Litter Decomposition in Riparian Zones

Invasive Plants and Species Richness Impact Litter Decomposition in Riparian Zones

Nutrient resorption responses of plant life forms to nitrogen addition in temperate shrublands

Nutrient return through decomposing Coriaria nepalensis litter in degraded hills of Kumaun Himalaya, India

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