Leaf Decomposition in a Mexican Tropical Rain Forest

Álvarez-Sánchez, Francisco Javier; Enriquez, Rosalba Becerra

doi:10.2307/2389052

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

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“…Monthly variations in k were significantly negatively correlated with rainfall of the current and previous 1–2 months and positively correlated with rainfall of the previous 6–7 months, which is similar to the seasonal trend in leaf litter production (Figure 3). While our monthly values of k are similar to those reported for other tropical forests [ Alhamd et al , 2004; Alvarez‐Sanchez and Enriquez , 1996; Sundarapandian and Swamy , 1999; Wieder and Wright , 1995], the relatively higher values of k during the dry season is opposite of what is typically observed for tropical systems. For example, Wieder and Wright [1995] and Alvarez‐Sanchez and Enriquez [1996] reported that k was usually higher in the wet season or in plots that received supplemental water during the dry season; however, in other field manipulative studies, plots exposed to partial rainfall exclusion (∼50% of the total monthly rainfall) had a similar k to plots receiving full rainfall.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

“…On a global basis, soil carbon stocks are 2–3 times larger than aboveground C stocks [ Schlesinger , 1991] and approximately 70% of the total annual carbon flux is derived from litter decomposition (above plus belowground) [ Aerts , 1997]. Litter dynamics, including production, decomposition, and accumulation are vital links between plant and soil C and nutrient storage and cycling [ Schlesinger , 1991; Xu and Hirata , 2002], especially in humid tropical forests where nutrient availability is intimately tied to litter inputs and decomposition [ Morellato , 1992; Alvarez‐Sanchez and Enriquez , 1996; Sundarapandian and Swamy , 1999; Read and Lawrence , 2003; Alhamd et al , 2004; Dias , 2005].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Seasonal and interannual litter dynamics of a tropical semideciduous forest of the southern Amazon Basin, Brazil

Sanches

Valentini²,

Júnior

et al. 2008

J. Geophys. Res.

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[1] This study analyzed how seasonal and interannual variations in climate alter litter dynamics, including production, decomposition, and accumulation. Monthly measurements of leaf, stem, and reproductive (flower plus fruit) litter and the forest floor litter mass were combined with a mass balance model to determine rates of litter decomposition for a semideciduous tropical forest located in the rain forest-savanna ecotone of the southern Amazon Basin for [2001][2002][2003][2004][2005][2006][2007]. Annual rates of litter production varied between 8 and 10.5 Mg ha À1 a À1 , and leaf litter production accounted for the majority ($70%) of the total litter production. Leaf litter production peaked at the end of the May-August dry season while stem litter production peaked during the wet season and reproductive litter production peaked during the dry-wet season transition. Forest floor litter mass ranged between 5 and 8 Mg ha À1 over the study period and generally declined as litter inputs declined. Litter decomposition rates were remarkably stable from year-toyear and varied between 10.8 and 12.4 Mg ha À1 a À1 . On average, rates of litter decomposition were highest during the dry-wet season transition. Overall, our results suggest that rainfall variability directly altered litter production dynamics and indirectly altered forest floor litter mass and decomposition kinetics through its effect on litter production. Future changes in seasonal and/or interannual rainfall patterns, whether in response to El Niño or to anthropogenic climate change, will likely have important consequences for the litter dynamics of Amazonian semideciduous forest.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal and interannual litter dynamics of a tropical semideciduous forest of the southern Amazon Basin, Brazil

Sanches

Valentini²,

Júnior

et al. 2008

J. Geophys. Res.

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“…[29] Our estimates of the litter decomposition rate constant (k) are similar to those published for other tropical or subtropical forests [Alhamd et al, 2004;Alvarez-Sanchez and Enriquez, 1996;Salamanca et al, 2003;Sundarapandian and Swamy, 1999;Wieder and Wright, 1995]; however, the seasonal trend is opposite of what is typically observed for tropical systems. Wieder and Wright [1995] and AlvarezSanchez and Enriquez [1996] reported significantly higher k values during the wet season, and irrigation delivered during the dry season has also been found to stimulate rates of decomposition [Wieder and Wright, 1995], suggesting that available soil moisture limits rates of litter decomposition.…”

Section: Litter Decomposition and The Surface Litter Poolsupporting

confidence: 70%

Soil respiration and aboveground litter dynamics of a tropical transitional forest in northwest Mato Grosso, Brazil

et al. 2008

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[1] Measurements of soil CO 2 efflux, litter production, and the surface litter pool biomass were made over a 1 year period in a tropical transitional forest near Sinop, Mato Grosso, Brazil with the aim of quantifying the seasonal variation in soil respiration and litter decomposition and the annual contribution of litter decomposition to soil CO 2 efflux. Average annual soil CO 2 efflux (±95% confidence interval (CI)) was 7.91 ± 1.16 g C m À2 d À1 . Soil CO 2 efflux was highest during the November-February wet season (9.15 ± 0.90 g C m À2 d À1 ) and lowest during the May-September dry season (6.19 ± 1.40 g C m À2 d À1 ), and over 60% of the variation in seasonal soil CO 2 efflux was explained by seasonal variations in soil temperature and moisture. Mass balance estimates of mean (±95% CI) decomposition rates were statistically different between the wet and dry seasons (0.66 ± 0.08 and 1.65 ± 0.10 g C m À2 d À1 , respectively), and overall, decomposition of leaf litter comprised 16% of the average annual soil respiration. Leaf litter production was higher during the dry season, and mean (±95% CI) leaf litter fall (5.6 ± 1.7 Mg ha À1

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“…Where litter traits shed light on the initial quality of decomposing leaves, fresh leaf traits are more closely linked to the plant’s growth strategy and are more widely available. Decomposition rate has been found to correlate positively with litter nitrogen (Kurokawa & Nakashizuka 2008; Parsons & Congdon 2008), phosphorus (Alvarez‐Sánchez & Becerra Enríquez 1996; Cornwell et al. 2008; Parsons & Congdon 2008) and cation concentrations (Mg, K and Ca; Alvarez‐Sánchez & Becerra Enríquez 1996), while it correlates negatively with molecules consisting of large carbon chains, such as lignin and cellulose (Vaieretti et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf economics traits predict litter decomposition of tropical plants and differ among land use types

2010

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Summary1. Decomposition is a key ecosystem process that determines nutrient and carbon cycling. Individual leaf and litter characteristics are good predictors of decomposition rates within biomes worldwide, but knowledge of which traits are the best predictors for tropical species remains scarce. Also, the effect of a species' position on the leaf economics spectrum (LES) and regeneration light requirements on decomposition rate are, until now, unknown. In addition, land use change is the most immediate and widespread global change driver, with potentially significant consequences for decomposition. 2. Here we evaluate 14 leaf and litter traits, and litter decomposition rates of 23 plant species from three different land use types (mature forest, secondary forest and agricultural field) in the moist tropics of lowland Bolivia. 3. Leaf and litter traits were closely associated and showed, in line with the LES, a slow-fast continuum ranging from species with tough, well-protected leaves (high leaf density, leaf dry matter content, force to punch and litter C : N ratio) to species with cheap, productive leaves [high specific leaf area (SLA) and nutrient concentrations in leaves and litter]. 4. Fresh green leaf traits were better predictors of decomposition rate than litter traits, and leaf nitrogen concentration (LNC) was a better predictor of decomposition than leaf phosphorus concentration, despite the widely held belief that tropical forests are P-limited. 5. Multiple regression analysis showed that LNC, SLA and chlorophyll content per unit leaf area had positive effects on decomposition, explaining together 65-69% of the variation. Species position on the LES and regeneration light requirements were also positively related to decomposition. 6. Plant communities from agricultural fields had significantly higher LNC and SLA than communities from mature forest and secondary forest. Species from agricultural fields had higher average decomposition rates than species from other ecosystems and tended to be at the fast end of the LES. 7. Both individual traits of living leaves and species' position on the LES persist in litter, so that leaves lead influential afterlifes, affecting decomposition, nutrient and carbon cycling.

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Leaf Decomposition in a Mexican Tropical Rain Forest

Cited by 24 publications

References 24 publications

Seasonal and interannual litter dynamics of a tropical semideciduous forest of the southern Amazon Basin, Brazil

Seasonal and interannual litter dynamics of a tropical semideciduous forest of the southern Amazon Basin, Brazil

Soil respiration and aboveground litter dynamics of a tropical transitional forest in northwest Mato Grosso, Brazil

Leaf economics traits predict litter decomposition of tropical plants and differ among land use types

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