The effects of leaf litter chemistry and anatomical traits on the litter decomposition rate of Quercus frainetto Ten. and Quercus cerris L. in situ

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a one-year decomposition experiment on Quercus frainetto Ten. and Quercus cerris L. leaf litter in natural conditions. The decomposition rate constant was 0.831 yr?1 (Q. frainetto) and 0.458 yr?1 (Q. cerris). For the initial chemical composition of the oaks? litter, differences were not found in concentrations of lignin and fats, waxes and oil fractions, but were found for water-soluble matter, hemicellulose and cellulose. Later decomposition stages indicated that lignin and fats, waxes and oil fractions influenced differences in both oaks? litter decay rates. Anatomical analysis revealed differences between the oaks in leaf mesophyll and epidermis but not in the entire leaf and lower epidermis. Results after 12 months of the experiment revealed that 48.04% of the entire leaf, 53.30% of mesophyll, 32.93% of lignified upper and 47.67% of lower epidermis in Q. frainetto, and 28.70% of the entire leaf, 31.60% of mesophyll, 25.17% of lignified upper and 20.93% of lower epidermis in Q. cerris were decomposed. Reduction in leaf thickness mainly was caused by the reduction of mesophyll parenchyma, composed of easily degradable plant materials. Leaf tissues with the most recalcitrant plant materials were lignified upper epidermis, covered by a thick cuticle composed of fats and waxes, and xylem within the leaf veins.

Litter Decomposition of a Deciduous Tectona philippinensis and an Evergreen Parashorea malaanonan Across Contrasting Sites

“…Leaves with fewer veins may have more interveinal space or leaf material for microbial access and penetration, resulting in a faster decomposition rate. A comparable trend, where leaf veins resisted decomposition, was observed in two Quercus species (Pavlović et al 2020). However, the environment (i.e., cooler climate, less microbial activities) where Quercus is naturally occurring is intrinsically different from P. malaanonan's.…”

Functional and Qualitative Metabolic Compounds in the Twigs of the Deciduous Mistletoe Loranthus europaeus Jacq.

“…In the twigs of L. europaeus, elevated soluble sugar and starch content is accumulated in comparison with that in tissues of oak trees not infected with the mistletoe [82][83][84]. L. europaeus' capacity to assimilate carbon in the twigs may depend on the water-use efficiency of the mistletoe, which in turn relies on the abiotic stress the host tree is subjected to.…”