Decomposition of organic matter is a major ecosystem process involving an array. Litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems has a major role in the biogeochemical cycling of elements in the environment. One noteworthy feature of litter decomposition is the variability of litter decomposition rate k among ecosystems and under different climatic conditions. Decomposition of red maple acer rubrum and rhododendron rhododendron maximum. Leaf breakdown studies allow ecologists to measure decomposition rates in different environments. Decomposition of quercus rubra, the litter with the lowest initial calcium concentration and highest lignin. The balance between litter inputs and heterotrophic litter decomposition influences the amount of. Dec 04, 2014 leaf litter decomposition rates were a positive linear function of mat, causing the residence time of leaf litter on the forest floor to decline by. Litter decomposition an overview sciencedirect topics. Leaf litter decomposition research papers academia. Global syntheses indicate that temperature is a primary factor controlling litter decay rates aerts, 1997. Litter decomposition is an important process in the global carbon cycle. Jun 04, 2009 litter decomposition is an important process in the global carbon cycle.
A 5 year study of litter decomposition processes in a. Students will collect and identify the living organisms in a plot, identify the tropic levels, and create a food web and a pyramid of biomass. Methods for estimating litter decomposition springerlink. The mass loss pattern and rate of decomposition showed significant differences among the studied tree species figures 1 and 2 which may be due to the litter quality, the presence of varying amounts of water soluble phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannin, physical and chemical properties of leaf litter, and the presence of thick waxy cuticle 18, 33, 34. Soil invertebrates contribute crucially to leaf litter decomposition and thus to the functioning of one of the most diverse ecosystem components on earth. N, p, and minerals can be stored in soils for plant. Decomposition of plant litter is a key process for the transfer of carbon and nutrients in ecosystems. Kathy shea decomposition rates of sugar maple acer saccharum leaves in a stream and pond environment within a maplebasswood ecosystem in southern minnesota were recorded. Decomposition was not positively correlated with litter nitrogen. The balance between litter inputs and heterotrophic litter decomposition influences the amount of carbon stored in the forest floor.
Solar radiation is a dominant control on the rate of leaf litter decomposition in the semiarid patagonian steppe, which suggests that factors such as cloud cover may influence carbon cycling in. The most extreme variability of litterfall is seen as a function of seasonality. Decomposition of plant litter is the most important source of nutrients for plants in many terrestrial ecosystems swift et al. Copper effects on soil nematodes and their possible impact on leaf litter decomposition. Periodic measurements of litterfall and litter decomposition with standard techniques will provide much needed information on carbon and nutrient cycling in forests. California waste mgmt bulletin bananaorange peel 25 weeks cotton rag 15 months cigarette butt 15 years wool clothing 15 years plasticcoated paper 5 years plastic bag 1020 years painted wooden stake years. Litter decomposition and nitrogen mineralization of soils in.
We hypothesised that the decomposition rates of leaf litter will increase along a gradient of decreasing fraction of the european beech fagus sylvatica and increasing tree species diversity in the generally beechdominated central european temperate deciduous forests due to an increase in litter quality. The model is based on the cooccurrence of intraspeci. Litter decomposition rates were 21% and 17% higher in burial and light. Statistical methods annual decomposition rates k values were determined by species and throughfall treatment mass loss data were analyzed using a negative exponential decay model y100ekt olsen. Decomposition of needle litter in achamaecyparis obtusa forest was studied over a 5 year period using a litter bag method. Earthworms, arthropods and plant litter decomposition in. Specific leaf area predicts dryland litter decomposition. Weight loss was rapid in early rains but slowed substantially in the following months, resulting in 23 to 12 weights remaining after two years of field exposure. Litterfall in terrestrial ecosystems represents the primary pathway for nutrient return to soil. In the activity, they will use a graphmaking tool to create a graph of trash decomposition rates. Changes in chemical factors such as do and ph near intact dams may influence macroinvertebrate assemblages and leaf decomposition.
In this study we focus on the early stage of decomposition, because nutrient. This study focused on leaf litter decomposition and nutrient n, p, and k dynamics during the decomposition process. Initial lignin concentration was highly correlated r 2. Rates of litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. All permdisp values for decomposition of leaf litter on agar plates with p. Identify forest management effects on leaf litter decomposition and leaf litter chemistry. Litter decomposition and nutrient release as affected by. Litter decomposition, climate and liter quality sciencedirect. We tested the litter decomposition parameterization of the community land model version 4 clm4, the terrestrial component of the community earth. Associate professor of zoology date date date signed certification of approval page is on file with the. Pdf the importance of litter traits and decomposers for. Nutrient enrichment increased microbial activity, the proportion of leaf carbon channelled through the microbial compartment and the decomposition rate of leaf litter.
Decomposition and nutrient dynamics of hardwood leaf. Leaf litter decomposition and litter fauna in urban. A thorough and generally lively assessment of contemporary ideas on decomposition, with emphasis given to the characterization and manipulation of litter quality. Copper effects on soil nematodes and their possible impact. Unlimited viewing of the articlechapter pdf and any associated supplements and figures. Pdf litter decomposition is an important component of the global carbon budget. Litterfall, leaf litter decomposition and n and p release were studied in four tree species dalbergia sissoo, azadirachta indica, pongamia pinnata and shorea robusta planted on a mine spoil habitat. The results support our hypothesis that the overall decomposition rates are mainly influenced by the chemical composition of the individual litter species. Our estimate of the q 10 temperature coefficient for leaf litter decomposition was 2. Litterbags of different mesh sizes that exclude or permit access by most earthworms, filled with litter of differ. Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in.
The growing season is relatively long with an annual frostfree period of around 330 days. Litter from the four species decomposed at different rates table 3 and the rates of decay of the four species varied over time. Nitrogen and lignin control of hardwood leaf litter. Leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. In decreasing order of importance, the key factors regulating decomposition are commonly assumed to be climate, litter quality e. Sep 15, 2017 litter decomposition rates were 21% and 17% higher in burial and light. Ecologists have found that leaf litter is not as sensitive to. Invertebrate phenology modulates the effect of the leaf.
Author links open overlay panel joey genevieve martinez a b glyde. They will then explore the consequences of not reducing, reusing andor recycling. Biology of plant litter decomposition, volume 1 focuses on decomposition of various types of litter, which include all plant remains, ranging from still standing dead trees to the decomposing hyphae of fungi and bacterial cells, including herbivore dung. A comparison of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems within and across biomes.
Johan lidman abstract headwaters, which are the most common stream order in the landscape, are mostly. Decomposition is a large term in the global carbon budget, but models of the earth system that simulate carbon cycle. Methods to study litter decomposition a practical guide manuel. Organic matter, nitrogen and carbon mass and faunal abundance were monitored. Decomposition, nutrient release patterns and nutrient.
Roadside litter decomposition chart for litter source. Leaf litter decomposition rates are in general influenced by several factors including the quality of leaf litter, local environmental conditions of the sites and the different decomposer organisms present swift et al. When a larger c fraction is released into the atmosphere, a smaller c fraction is transferred to humic substances, which can be stored in soils for a long time. May 02, 2017 leaf litter has slower decomposition rate than expected in warm temps date. Pdf litterfall, litter decomposition and nutrient release.
The pattern of weight loss was represented by three phases. The importance of litter traits and decomposers for litter decomposition. The decomposition of leaf litter constitutes a major pathway of carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Functional leaf traits and biodiversity effects on litter decomposition in a stream markus h. Download limit exceeded you have exceeded your daily download allowance. Evaluating litter decomposition in earth system models with. Swiss federal institute of aquatic science and technology, uberlandstrasse 3, 8600 dubendorf, switzerland, and institute of integrative biology ibz, eth zurich, 8092 zurich, switzerland. Litterfall, nutrient return, and leaflitter decomposition in four. They will explore the decomposition process and observe the rates at which different pieces of litter decompose. Leaf litter decomposition and microbial activity in. The main objective of this book is to provide students and laboratory instructors at universities and professional ecologists with a broad range of established methods to study plant litter decomposition.
Leaf litter decomposition rates increase with rising mean. Effects of changes in the environment and contribution of microbial and shredder activity on litter decomposition. Leaf litter decomposition and microbial activity in nutrient. Litter decomposition may induce remarkable feedbacks to climate change because it is a climatedependent process. The effect of earthworm invasion degree on litter decomposition varied by identity of the litter, mesh size, and time of litter collection. Litterfall, plant litter, leaf litter, tree litter, soil litter, or duff, is dead plant material such as leaves, bark, needles, twigs, and cladodes that have fallen to the ground. Leaf litter decomposition and mitigation of co2 emissions in cocoa. The decomposition of mistletoe leaf litter in a stream ecosystem by bryan bernard shragge matthew cover, ph.
The litter layer is quite variable in its thickness, decomposition rate and nutrient content and is affected in part by seasonality, plant species, climate, soil fertility, elevation, and latitude. Leaf litter decomposition estimates of global variability. Decomposition rates were highest just downstream from the intact dam. Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics associated. In this activity students examine the ecology of a local leaf litter the forest floor community. Solar radiation is a dominant control on the rate of leaf litter decomposition in the semiarid patagonian steppe, which suggests that factors such. Leaf litter has slower decomposition rate than expected in warm temps date.
Ramesh reddy2 1west florida research and education center, university of florida, 5988 hwy. Litter decomposition rates are a function of litter quality, biota and microclimate seastedt et al. Detailed protocols for direct use in the field or laboratory are presented in an easy to follow stepbystep format. Heterotrophic metabolism, facilitated through comminution by small insects and leaching during precipitation events, results in the release of plant litter carbon as co 2 into the atmosphere. Furthermore, i observed a significant negative correlation between conductivity and the rate of decomposition across sites.
Though it is well established that litter decomposition varies among species, most leaf litter decomposes not alone, but in mixture with litter from heterospecifics. Decomposition dynamics of the litter materials were described by inverse linear relationships between the percentage of original mass remaining and the nitrogen concentration in the residual material. Leaf litter quality is defined as the ease of decomposition heal et al. Litter decomposition decay rates did not vary among topographic posi tions, so data were pooled by watershed. Litter decomposition is one of the key ecological processes in ecosystems. Leaf litter decomposition at missouri ozarks managed landscape. Evaluating litter decomposition in earth system models.
Climatic features, like temperature, rainfall, humidity, and seasonal variations affect the rate of litter decomposition. Independent of climatic conditions, however, negative feedback can be released either by the removal of autotoxic material with. Leaf litter has slower decomposition rate than expected in. We studied the decomposition of leaf litter including its lignin fraction in monospecific. Leaf litter decomposition and microbial activity in nutrientenriched and unaltered reaches of a headwater stream v. Leaf litter decomposition in temperate deciduous forest.
Quantify mixed leaf litter chemistry composition during decay. Litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in a phosphorus. Functional leaf traits and biodiversity effects on litter. Chapter methods for estimating litter decomposition. The students will learn about litter decomposition. Microbial decomposition of soil organic matter is mediated by quality. Litter decomposition is controlled by three main factors. N ratio and lignin concentration could predict litter decomposition to some degree, but their predictive power was dependent on litter position.
Decomposition rates of a common litter between stream and pond environments in a maplebasswood ecosystem tom nickerson biology 371 semester research dr. We will use the litterbag technique and a 2way anova study design to compare leaf breakdown in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, each with forested and urbanized land uses. Leaf litter decomposition rates increase with rising. It accounts for most of the heterotrophic soil respiration and results in formation of more stable soil organic carbon soc which is the largest terrestrial carbon stock. Ppt leaf litter decomposition at missouri ozarks managed. A test of the hierarchical model of litter decomposition. This experiment was conducted for 180 days by using litter bag technique during dry and wet seasons. Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in woodland. Most studies on the chemical constituents that determine leaf litter quality have been conducted in temperate streams webster and benfield 1986. Leaf litters of jarrah eucalyptus marginata donn ex sm.
Climate is the dominant factor in areas subjected to unfavourable weather conditions, whereas litter quality largely prevails as the regulator under favourable conditions. Climate is the dominant factor in areas subjected to unfavourable weather conditions, whereas litter quality largely prevails as. View leaf litter decomposition research papers on academia. Sun, in reference module in earth systems and environmental sciences, 20. The parent material of the soil is sandy shale and soils are classified as. Pdf climate, leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter. Specific leaf area predicts dryland litter decomposition via.
However, little is known of the status of european worms and the effect different soil biota might have on litter decomposition in distinct vegetation of the subalpine in colorado. The book seeks to be a springboard for practical new ideas and research about litter quality and decomposition. Which chemical constituents are known to determine leaf litter quality. However, the two studies vary widely in their estimates of the apparent q10 temperature coefficient, the proportional.
Litter decomposition via leaching of dissolved organic matter dom is understudied suggest the wettest of lowland forests may sustain some of the highest rates of litter turnover on earth climate change is likely to slow rates of decomposition, unless litter quality concurrently increased. Plant litter decomposition in a semiarid ecosystem. In our model, autotoxicity increases with litter decomposition rate but it is reduced in time by decay processes bonanomi et al. As litter substrate quality decreases during decompo sition, initial litter quality has a decreasing influence on latestage decomposition rates. Associate professor of biological sciences marina m. Short communication litter quality impacts on grassland. Litter decomposition in earthworminvaded northen hardwood. Detailed protocols for direct use in the field or laboratory are presented in.
Decomposition rates of a common litter between stream and. Suberkropp department of biological sciences, university of alabama, tuscaloosa, al, u. Jul 02, 2010 leaf litter decomposition rates were positively correlated with the initial n and ca concentrations of the litter, and negatively with the initial c. At this stage, litter decay rates are controlled instead by climate, soil texture. We did not correct for ashfree dry mass, but because they were placed. Functional diversity of leaf litter mixtures slows. Decomposition was determined by using litter bags with sampling at 0, 14, 36, 60, 90, 119, 179, 291 and 362 days after commencement and determining the remaining biomass kg ha1, decomposition. Intraspecific niche partitioning in macrodetritivores. Studies were conducted on leaf litter fall, decomposition, nutrient release patterns and nutrient fluxes of akyaakrom as and dopiri ds secondary forest leaf litter in dwinyama watershed. Biology of plant litter decomposition v1 1st edition. This detritus or dead organic material and its constituent nutrients are added to the top layer of soil, commonly known as the litter layer or o horizon o for. Litter decomposition plays an important role in carbon c cycling in terrestrial ecosystems aerts 2006. Since plant litter decomposition involves carbon dioxide co2 emissions, and fragmentation and leaching of organic. Modelling the effects of litter decomposition on tree.
897 63 402 360 594 408 240 897 603 176 1383 1053 87 1341 1327 1136 175 1074 281 516 1120 1345 737 525 145 1410 798 1129 862 1235 1208 578 1441 40 622 456 539 197 1292 881 742 1355 581 656 372 250