Litter nitrogen concentration changes mediate effects of drought and plant species richness on litter decomposition

Wang, Jiang; Ge, Yuan; Cornelissen, Johannes H. C.; Wang, Xiaoyan; Gao, Song; Bai, Yang; Chen, Tong; Jing, Zhongwang; Zhang, Chong‐Bang; Liu, Wenli; Li, Junmin; Yu, Fei‐Hai

doi:10.1007/s00442-022-05105-y

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…In addition to changes in litter quality, interspecific root interactions may also affect the relative species abundances in mixed communities. Such changes in species relative abundance, particularly proportions of different growth forms with contrasting litter properties and decomposability, may be one of the main drivers of changes in litter decomposition along species richness gradients (Chen et al, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2022 ). However, we found that the decomposition of artificial root litter mixtures of known composition was still significantly slower than expected based on the decomposition rates of component litters in monoculture conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root litter decomposition is suppressed in species mixtures and in the presence of living roots

Heredia‐Acuña,

Semchenko,

De Vries

2023

Journal of Ecology

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Plant species diversity and identity can significantly modify litter decomposition, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive, particularly for root litter. Here, we aimed to disentangle the mechanisms by which plant species diversity alters root litter decomposition. We hypothesised that (1) interactions between species in mixed communities result in litter that decomposes faster than litter produced in monocultures; (2) litter decomposition is accelerated in the presence of living plants, especially when the litter and living plant identities are matched (known as home‐field advantage). Monocultures and a mixture of four common grassland species were established to obtain individual litter and a ‘natural’ root litter mixture. An ‘artificial’ mixed litter was created using litter from monocultures, mixed in the same proportions as the species composition in the natural litter mixtures based on qPCR measurements. These six root litter types were incubated in four monocultures, a four‐species mixture and an unplanted soil. Root decomposition was strongly affected by root litter identity and the presence, but not diversity, of living roots. Mixed‐species litter decomposed slower than expected based on the decomposition of single‐species litters. In addition, the presence of living roots suppressed decomposition independent of the match between litter and living plant identities. Decomposition was not significantly different between the ‘natural’ and ‘artificial’ root litter mixtures, indicating that root‐root interactions in species mixtures did not affect root chemical quality. Synthesis. Suppressed decomposition in the presence of living roots indicates that interactions between microbial communities associated with living roots and root litter control root litter decomposition. As we found no support for the importance of home‐field advantage or interspecific root interactions in modifying decomposition, suppressed decomposition of mixed‐species litter seems to be primarily driven by chemical rather than biotic interactions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root litter decomposition is suppressed in species mixtures and in the presence of living roots

Heredia‐Acuña,

Semchenko,

De Vries

2023

Journal of Ecology

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“…The depth of the soil at which the litter is deposited can also have a substantial impact on the consequences of litter decomposition from an invasive plant on native species and soils (Sun et al, 2022b). However, an exception is cases of severe droughts, where increasing species richness has been shown to slow the rate of litter decomposition (Wang et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regardless of species diversity, nitrogen-dependent litter decomposition is always present in plant communities (Pereira et al, 2021;Wang et al, 2022). Some species have faster decomposition rates and nutrient release than others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of litter decomposition on mowing and plant composition change during Solidago stand restoration

Perera,

Gruss,

Szymura

2024

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Decomposition of organic matter supports important soil ecosystem services. The rate of decomposition depends mostly on the type of plant material being decomposed and the abundance and diversity of organisms that process the organic matter. Consequently, any disturbance to the soil ecosystem will affect the decomposition process. Invasive plants, such as Solidago species, pose a serious ecological threat to natural habitats, so effective and environmentally safe methods of controlling their occurrence should be developed. In this study, decomposition rates were used as indicators of soil health during grassland restoration after Solidago invasion. Different seed mixtures (grasses, grasses with legumes, seeds collected from a seminatural meadow; use of fresh hay and no seeds) were sown during a field experiment and different mowing frequencies (1, 2 and 3 times per year) were established. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) plant species composition used in the restoration process affects litter decomposition rates, and (2) mowing regimes affect litter decomposition rates. It was found that decomposition rates were higher in plots with the highest species diversity. This indicates that an increase in species diversity has a positive effect on soil processes. Secondly, mowing two and three times per season has a positive effect on the decomposition process. In conclusion, decomposition rates can be used as a tool to identify adequate grassland management.

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Changes in precipitation mediate the inhibitory effects of reduced UV-B radiation on the litter decomposition of desert plants in arid regions

Xie,

Shan,

Wang

2024

J Soils Sediments

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Litter nitrogen concentration changes mediate effects of drought and plant species richness on litter decomposition

Cited by 4 publications

References 79 publications

Root litter decomposition is suppressed in species mixtures and in the presence of living roots

Root litter decomposition is suppressed in species mixtures and in the presence of living roots

Effect of litter decomposition on mowing and plant composition change during Solidago stand restoration

Changes in precipitation mediate the inhibitory effects of reduced UV-B radiation on the litter decomposition of desert plants in arid regions

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