Litter decomposition rate and nutrient release from different litter forms in a Himalayan alpine ecosystem

Abstract

Observations on above ground litter decomposition and nutrient release in alpine ecosystem of the Himalaya were carried out. Monthly variation was observed for above ground litter crop and it was higher in the protected sites (PR) when compared with unprotected sites (UNPR). Turnover rate (TR) and time (TT) was also higher in PR sites and it corresponded to maximum net accumulation of standing dead and litter biomass. This resulted into low litter disappearance and therefore, low nutrient fluxes as well. Comparatively, potassium content was a maximum followed by N and OC in above ground crop of litter with significant variation among the sites (P \ 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). It was observed that only 9-12% litter of various categories was decomposed annually at the rate of 0.1-0.13%. Overall, decomposition process was a maximum during active growth season and only 13.2-16.2% of total litter was decomposed during the winter months (December-March). Release of OC and NPK to soil organic matter through the decomposition of various litter types was also observed and the pattern of release was similar to that of disappearance channel. All these parameters are reported and possible reasons are described in the present paper.

Agronomic properties and characterization of rice husk and wood biochars and their effect on the growth of water spinach in a field test

“…In Figure 3a, the stem size of water spinach is shown to be proportional to the WHC/silt ratio, while the root size of water spinach is proportional to the OM/OC ratio, as shown in Figure 3b. The existing literature (Haefele et al, 2011;Rawat et al, 2010) has also illustrated that the soil OM increases the WHC of sandy loam while increasing aeration in silt and clay loam. It also indicates the releasing of OC and NPK to soil OM through decomposition reaction.…”

Litter Production, Decomposition, and Nutrient Release in Subalpine Forest Communities of the Northwest Himalaya

“…The importance of forest floor components to site productivity is well known. The decomposition of forest litter is the foremost pathway for providing organic and inorganic elements for the nutrient cycling processes and maintenance of soil nutrient pool [6,8]. Litter production and decomposition is a key process in biogeochemical process of forest ecosystem and varies with climate, season, substrate quality, and type of biota [9][10][11][12].…”

“…Decomposition of litter is a sequential process whereby complicated organic compounds are continuously degraded into simpler substances, releasing nutrients as byproduct of their breakdown [15]. To comprehend its dynamics, it is important to start with the chemical composition of plant litter as litter chemistry is the main determinant of litter decomposition [8,16] within a given climatic region followed by rate of decomposition and nutrient release to soil organic pool. However, little is known regarding litter production, rate of decomposition, and releases of these main nutrients to soil organic matter pool through various types of leaf litter forms in subalpine forests of Northwestern Himalaya.…”

“…Very few studies are available on the litter fall, factor associated with decomposition and nutrient release in the subalpine areas of Northwestern Himalaya [1,8,[17][18][19]. In view of functional ecological attributes, subalpine areas in the Northwestern Himalaya are among the least investigated habitats; however, it is very important to monitor these areas for estimating the possible change in future [2].…”

Litterfall dynamics in Boter-Becho Forest: Moist evergreen montane forest of Southwestern Ethiopia

“…It also provides nutrient input and organic matter replenishment and hence, an important stage in habitat conservation (Rawat et al, 2009;Wurzburger and Hendrick, 2009).…”