Leaf-litter decomposition in the Picea/tsuga forests of Olympic National Park, Washington, U.S.A.

Harmon, Mark E.; Baker, Gail A.; Spycher, Gody; Greene, Sarah E.

doi:10.1016/0378-1127(90)90111-n

Cited by 116 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Significant correlations are shown for: * P 0.05; ** P 0.01 *** P 0.001. v www.esajournals.org paradigm that initial tissue lignin:N is negatively related to decomposition (e.g., Melillo et al 1982, Harmon et al 1990), we were surprised that neither lignin:N nor lignin alone emerged as competing factors with N in predicting decomposition. However, lignin varied much less among our intraspecific litter sources (29-35%) than can occur among species (;5% to .30%), whereas initial N differences among our litters were roughly comparable to that observed among non-N 2 -fixing tree species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…High initial N content of litter usually promotes faster leaf litter decomposition in the early (,3 yr) stages of mass loss, particularly for litter of high initial carbon quality, and N alone and in combination with litter lignin content has proven to be a useful predictor of decomposition rates in a range of environments (Melillo et al 1982, Harmon et al 1990, Hobbie 2005, Cornwell et al 2008. However, an overwhelming majority of information supporting this idea comes from studies in which different plant species' litter is selected to generate a range of initial tissue N, and where lignin often varies as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interactions of tissue and fertilizer nitrogen on decomposition dynamics of lignin‐rich conifer litter

Perakis¹,

Matkins²,

Hibbs³

2012

Ecosphere

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Abstract. High tissue nitrogen (N) accelerates decomposition of high-quality leaf litter in the early phases of mass loss, but the influence of initial tissue N variation on the decomposition of lignin-rich litter is less resolved. Because environmental changes such as atmospheric N deposition and elevated CO 2 can alter tissue N levels within species more rapidly than they alter the species composition of ecosystems, it is important to consider how within-species variation in tissue N may shape litter decomposition and associated N dynamics. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii ) is a widespread lignin-rich conifer that dominates forests of high carbon (C) storage across western North America, and displays wide variation in tissue and litter N that reflects landscape variation in soil N. We collected eight unique Douglas-fir litter sources that spanned a two-fold range in initial N concentrations (0.67-1.31%) with a narrow range of lignin (29-35%), and examined relationships between initial litter chemistry, decomposition, and N dynamics in both ambient and N fertilized plots at four sites over 3 yr. High initial litter N slowed decomposition rates in both early (0.67 yr) and late (3 yr) stages in unfertilized plots. Applications of N fertilizer to litters accelerated early-stage decomposition, but slowed late-stage decomposition, and most strongly affected low-N litters, which equalized decomposition rates across litters regardless of initial N concentrations. Decomposition of N-fertilized litters correlated positively with initial litter manganese (Mn) concentrations, with litter Mn variation reflecting faster turnover of canopy foliage in high N sites, producing younger litterfall with high N and low Mn. Although both internal and external N inhibited decomposition at 3 yr, most litters exhibited net N immobilization, with strongest immobilization in low-N litter and in N-fertilized plots. Our observation for lignin-rich litter that high initial N can slow decomposition yet accelerate N release differs from findings where litter quality variation across species promotes coupled C and N release during decomposition. We suggest reevaluation of ecosystem models and projected global change effects to account for a potential decoupling of ecosystem C and N feedbacks through litter decomposition in lignin-rich conifer forests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions of tissue and fertilizer nitrogen on decomposition dynamics of lignin‐rich conifer litter

Perakis¹,

Matkins²,

Hibbs³

2012

Ecosphere

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“…For instance, Hirabuki (1991) found a positive relation between tree litter fall and patchy canopy structure in a mixed forest, while Penne et al (2010) in a 55-year-old pine stand (650 stems per ha) found that the needle litter fall was significantly higher directly under the tree crowns compared with the areas without direct canopy cover. Organic matter accumulation also depends on decomposition rate, which, besides tree species-dependent characteristics like hardness, morphology, lignin/N ratio, foliage longevity, and hydrosoluble component content (e.g., Aber et al 1990;Harmon et al 1990;Scott and Binkley 1997), might be also influenced by micro-site characteristics like biological activity and substrate moisture and temperature (Bauhus 1996;Scharenbroch and Bockheim 2007). In addition, reduced pH can negatively influence litter decomposition (Berg 1986) by affecting the abundance of soil animals (saprotrophic micro-organisms), mycorrhiza density and litter chemistry.…”

Section: Spatial Variation In Topsoil Propertiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inter-crown versus under-crown area: contribution of local configuration of trees to variation in topsoil morphology, pH and moisture in Abies alba Mill. forests

Paluch¹,

Gruba

2011

Eur J Forest Res

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This investigation of three Abies alba stands differing in stem density (338-715 per ha) and vertical structure (one-storeyed or multi-layered) explored the relations between distance from neighbouring tree stems and local canopy openness and selected topsoil properties. The null hypothesis was that in relatively densely stocked forests of close-random stem distribution topsoil morphology, pH and moisture do not differ in inter-crown and under-crown patches. In three plots 1.1 ha in area, soil samples were taken in a square grid 5.0 9 5.0 m and analysed using semivariogram estimation and spatial autocorrelation. The local configuration of trees around the sampled locations was characterised using hemispheral photography and a local stand density index based on tree locations and diameters. The largest portion of the total variation in the soil variables analysed (68-100%) was attributable to small-scale variation in scales \5 m. In all stands, irrespective of density and vertical structure, local stand density/canopy openness correlated positively/ negatively with ectohumus layer thickness but negatively/ positively with upper soil pH and moisture. Variation in the local configuration of trees explained up to 17% of the total variation in organic horizon thickness, up to 22-29% in topsoil pH (depending on the horizon) and up to 19-27% in topsoil moisture. The results indicate that even in stands of random tree patterning, stem neighbourhood and smallscale variation in canopy density may contribute significantly to topsoil heterogeneity and potentially affect the functioning and structure of forest floor vegetation.

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“…After 2 yr of decomposition, there was no sizable increase in mass loss in either litter type compared with the mass loss reached after 1 yr of decomposition. Litter typically has an initial rapid phase of decomposition followed by a slower phase, due to the faster decomposing components breaking down first leaving behind the more slowly decomposing components such as lignin (Harmon et al 1990). Harmon et al (1990) found that vine maple leaf litter has a much larger amount of this "fast" component (29-40%) than Douglas-fir litter (7-13%).…”

Section: Litter Decompositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Litterfall and soil characteristics in canopy gaps occupied by vine maple in a coastal western hemlock forest

Ogden¹,

Schmidt

1997

Can. J. Soil. Sci.

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. 1997. Litterfall and soil characteristics in canopy gaps occupied by vine maple in a coastal western hemlock forest. Can. J. Soil Sci. 77: 703-711-000. In some low-elevation coastal British Columbia forests, canopy gaps can be occupied by the hardwood tree species, vine maple (Acer circinatum). The objective of this study was to determine how vine maple gaps influence litterfall, litter decomposition, and forest floor and mineral soil properties. Measurements were made on six vine maple gaps paired with six conifer canopy plots. Vine maple gaps had significantly less conifer litterfall during the autumn, higher pH, and higher concentrations of Ca, Mg and K in the forest floor, thinner forest floors, and a weak tendency for lower C/N ratios, higher pH values and higher total N concentrations in the surface mineral soil. Vine maple litter was found to decompose significantly faster than conifer litter and to have higher concentrations of N, P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe and Zn. Decomposition rates of vine maple litter and of conifer litter did not differ significantly between vine maple gap and conifer canopy plots. Larger vine maple clones had significantly thicker forest floors with higher concentrations of Ca, and higher N concentrations and lower C/N ratios in the surface mineral soil than gaps with smaller vine maple clones. The results indicate that vine maple gaps may improve the nutritional status of the sites that they occupy within conifer forests.Key words: Litterfall, litter decomposition, soil-plant interactions, vine maple, canopy openings, canopy gaps Ogden, A. E. et Schmidt, M. G. 1997. Caractères de la litière fraiche et du sol dans les trouées d'une forêt côtière à pruche de l'Ouest ovvupées par l'érable circiné. Can. J. Soil Sci. 77: 703-711. Dans certaines forêts côtières de basse altitude de la Colombie-Britannique, les clairières peuvent être occupées par l'érable circiné (Acer circinatum). Nous avons cherché à déter-miner dans quelle mesure ces clairières à érable circiné influent sur les dépôts et sur la décomposition de la litière ainsi que sur les propriétés des couches organiques et minérales du sol forestier. Des mesures en paires étaient prises dans 6 clairières à érable circiné jumelées à 6 placettes sous couvert de conifères. Dans les clairières, la litière nouvelle contenait significativement moins d'aiguilles de conifères en automne. La couche organique était plus mince, son pH plus élevé et elle contenait plus de Ca, de Mg et de K. Les horizons minéraux supérieurs affichaient des rapports C/N plus bas, un pH plus élevé et des concentrations en N total plus fortes. La litière d'érable circiné se décomposait significativement plus vite que la litière de conifères et elle était plus riche en N, P, Ca, Mg, K, Fe et Zn. Les taux de décomposition des deux types de litière n'étaient pas statistiquement différents selon qu'il s'agissait d'une placette de clairière ou d'une placette sous pruche de l'Ouest. La couche organique du sol était plus épaisse et plus riche en Ca et la couche minérale plus ri...

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Leaf-litter decomposition in the Picea/tsuga forests of Olympic National Park, Washington, U.S.A.

Cited by 116 publications

References 14 publications

Interactions of tissue and fertilizer nitrogen on decomposition dynamics of lignin‐rich conifer litter

Interactions of tissue and fertilizer nitrogen on decomposition dynamics of lignin‐rich conifer litter

Inter-crown versus under-crown area: contribution of local configuration of trees to variation in topsoil morphology, pH and moisture in Abies alba Mill. forests

Litterfall and soil characteristics in canopy gaps occupied by vine maple in a coastal western hemlock forest

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