UVB exposure does not accelerate rates of litter decomposition in a semi-arid riparian ecosystem

Uselman, Shauna M.; Snyder, Keirith A.; Blank, Robert R.; Jones, Timothy J.

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2011.02.016

Cited by 67 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…In addition, for historical reasons related to studies of the effects of stratospheric ozone depletion (29,30), there has been a strong emphasis on evaluating the effects of UV (200-400 nm) radiation (particularly UV-B, 280-315 nm) on litter decomposition, and these studies have yielded equivocal results with respect to the importance of this spectral region as a driver of photodegradation (31,32). Recent evidence has demonstrated that the visible component of sunlight [blue and green wavelengths, 400-550 nm (BG)] can have a large impact on photodegradation (17,20), suggesting…”

Section: Uv Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…that studies wholly focused on UV effects (27,(31)(32)(33) may have underestimated the quantitative importance of solar radiation as a control on carbon turnover.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…2 C and D) provides an important element for conceptual and empirical models aimed to understand the role of photodegradation in litter decomposition in different ecosystems. In addition, the contrasting response of woody and herbaceous species to UV exposure may help to resolve the contradictory results reported for UV effects on photodegradation in terrestrial ecosystems (23,27,(31)(32)(33)(34).…”

Section: Exposure To Solar Radiation Strongly Enhances Subsequent Micmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Photodegradation alleviates the lignin bottleneck for carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems

Austin

Méndez

Ballaré

2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

166

211

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A mechanistic understanding of the controls on carbon storage and losses is essential for our capacity to predict and mitigate human impacts on the global carbon cycle. Plant litter decomposition is an important first step for carbon and nutrient turnover, and litter inputs and losses are essential in determining soil organic matter pools and the carbon balance in terrestrial ecosystems. Photodegradation, the photochemical mineralization of organic matter, has been recently identified as a mechanism for previously unexplained high rates of litter mass loss in arid lands; however, the global significance of this process as a control on carbon cycling in terrestrial ecosystems is not known. Here we show that, across a wide range of plant species, photodegradation enhanced subsequent biotic degradation of leaf litter. Moreover, we demonstrate that the mechanism for this enhancement involves increased accessibility to plant litter carbohydrates for microbial enzymes. Photodegradation of plant litter, driven by UV radiation, and especially visible (blue-green) light, reduced the structural and chemical bottleneck imposed by lignin in secondary cell walls. In leaf litter from woody species, specific interactions with UV radiation obscured facilitative effects of solar radiation on biotic decomposition. The generalized effect of sunlight exposure on subsequent microbial activity, mediated by increased accessibility to cell wall polysaccharides, suggests that photodegradation is quantitatively important in determining rates of mass loss, nutrient release, and the carbon balance in a broad range of terrestrial ecosystems.carbon cycle | plant litter decomposition | photodegradation | lignin |

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Section: Uv Radiationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…that studies wholly focused on UV effects (27,(31)(32)(33) may have underestimated the quantitative importance of solar radiation as a control on carbon turnover.…”

Section: Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Exposure To Solar Radiation Strongly Enhances Subsequent Micmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Photodegradation alleviates the lignin bottleneck for carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems

Austin

Méndez

Ballaré

2016

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

166

211

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“…It has been hypothesized that rates of photodegradation depend on plant and litter tissue type: lignin, one of the most recalcitrant tissue in plant material (to microbial decomposition), is expected to be most sensitive to photodegradation (Austin and Ballaré, 2010;King et al, 2012). However, while studies reporting photodegradation are multiple, recent studies, aiming to further investigate the process, were unable to observe the effects of photodegradation (Kirschbaum et al, 2011;Lambie et al, 2014;Uselman et al, 2011). A reason for this discrepancy has not yet been found (Kirschbaum et al, 2011;Lambie et al, 2014;Throop and Archer, 2007;Uselman et al, 2011).…”

Section: H Van Asperen Et Al: Photo-and Thermal Degradation In An Amentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of photo- and thermal degradation for CO<sub>2</sub> and CO fluxes in an arid ecosystem

et al. 2015

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Abstract. Recent studies have suggested the potential importance of abiotic degradation in arid ecosystems. In this study, the role of photo-and thermal degradation in ecosystem CO 2 and CO exchange is assessed. A field experiment was performed in Italy using an FTIR-spectrometer (Fourier Transform Infrared) coupled to a flux gradient system and to flux chambers. In a laboratory experiment, field samples were exposed to different temperatures and radiation intensities.No photodegradation-induced CO 2 and CO fluxes of in literature suggested magnitudes were found in the field nor in the laboratory study. In the laboratory, we measured CO 2 and CO fluxes that were derived from thermal degradation. In the field experiment, CO uptake and emission have been measured and are proposed to be a result of biological uptake and abiotic thermal degradation-production.We suggest that previous studies, addressing direct photodegradation, have overestimated the role of photodegradation and observed fluxes might be due to thermal degradation, which is an indirect effect of radiation. The potential importance of abiotic decomposition in the form of thermal degradation, especially for arid regions, should be considered in future studies.

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“…In recent years, the relationships between environmental factors such as moisture, ultraviolet irradiation, atmospheric carbon dioxide, temperature, and degradation of crop residue has been given more and more attention (Schade et al 1999;Austin and Vivanco 2006). In most models, built around the above-mentioned drivers, micro-biological degradation and photodegradation have been considered to be the most efficient pathways for the degradation of lignocellulosic materials (Zepp et al 2007;Uselman et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Straw Degradation Behaviors under Different Conditions of Relative Air Humidity and Ultraviolet-A Irradiation

Huang

et al. 2016

BioResources

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In this study, straw was degraded continuously for 150 days under one of three levels of relative air humidity (RH) (90%, 60%, or 30%) to estimate the effect of humidity on straw biodegradation. Moreover, straw was treated with ultraviolet (UV)-A irradiation + 90% RH for 180 days to evaluate the interaction between photodegradation and biodegradation. The effects of 30% and 60% RH on straw degradation was inconspicuous. Straw mass losses at 90% RH and UV-A + 90% RH were 18.5% and 39.1%, respectively. BIOLOG analysis showed that filamentous fungi played a major role in straw biodegradation. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that treatment with UV-A + 90% RH tended to increase the maximum pyrolysis rate and decreased the initial pyrolysis temperature. Compared with 90% RH, infrared spectra analysis showed that functional groups of UV-A + 90% RH treatment, e.g., -CH, -C=O, and the benzene ring structure, clearly decreased. Strawdegrading bacteria were observed by scanning electron microscopy at the beginning and end of UV-A + 90% RH treatment. Results highlight the role of humidity in the degree of straw biodegradation by filamentous fungi. Straw degradation is accelerated by the combined action of photodegradation and biodegradation under high UV-A irradiation and high humidity.

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UVB exposure does not accelerate rates of litter decomposition in a semi-arid riparian ecosystem

Cited by 67 publications

References 57 publications

Photodegradation alleviates the lignin bottleneck for carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems

Photodegradation alleviates the lignin bottleneck for carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems

The role of photo- and thermal degradation for CO<sub>2</sub> and CO fluxes in an arid ecosystem

Straw Degradation Behaviors under Different Conditions of Relative Air Humidity and Ultraviolet-A Irradiation

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UVB exposure does not accelerate rates of litter decomposition in a semi-arid riparian ecosystem

Cited by 67 publications

References 57 publications

Photodegradation alleviates the lignin bottleneck for carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems

Photodegradation alleviates the lignin bottleneck for carbon turnover in terrestrial ecosystems

The role of photo- and thermal degradation for CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; and CO fluxes in an arid ecosystem

Straw Degradation Behaviors under Different Conditions of Relative Air Humidity and Ultraviolet-A Irradiation

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The role of photo- and thermal degradation for CO<sub>2</sub> and CO fluxes in an arid ecosystem