Nutrient Dynamics Assessment of Coarse Wood Debris Subjected to Successional Decay Levels of Three Forests Types in Northeast, China

Abstract

Coarse wood debris (CWD) plays a critical role in forest productivity, nutrient cycling, decomposition, and carbon sequestration, and shapes the carbon pool in the forest ecosystem. However, the elemental composition of CWD varies among different forest types and decay classes for the same dominant tree species (Pinus koraiensis, PK). We compared CWD elemental composition across different forest types (Picea koraiensis-Abies nephrolepis-Pinus koraiensis forest (PAPF), Betula costata-Pinus koraiensis forest (BPF), Tilia amurensis-Pinus koraiensis forest (TPF)), considering four classes of wood decay. Results showed that N, P, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn, S, Al, and Fe concentrations almost totally increased with decay level for all three forest types, except for K in all three forest types and B in Picea koraiensis-Abies nephrolepis-Pinus koraiensis forest (PAPF). Similarly, maximum concentrations of N, P, B, Mg, K, C, Zn, and Mn of CWD were observed in Betula costata-Pinus koraiensis forest (BPF) under varying decay classes, but their maximum concentrations of Fe and S were found in Picea koraiensis-Abies nephrolepis-Pinus koraiensis forest (PAPF) and Tilia amurensis-Pinus koraiensis forest(TPF), respectively. Only C content did not significantly differ in decay classes across all three forest types. The C:N ratio decreased significantly with increasing decay levels across all forest types. The decay rates were significantly related to N concentration and C:N ratio in decay classes across all forest types. These results suggest that C and N concentration are the key factors affecting its decomposition. The variation in nutrient concentrations observed here underscores the complexity of nutrients stored in wood debris in forested ecosystems.

Correlation Between Coarse Wood Debris and Soil Different Chemical Properties of Three Forest Types in Northeast China

“…In this study, we found a positive correlation between CWD and soil properties (Figures 1 and 2). Nutrient concentrations generally increased with advancing decay class, a pattern frequently observed in other studies (Khan et al, 2021). This may be due to mass loss, nutrient concentration, rainfall, and root colonization (Osman, 2013).…”

“…As published in our previous study (Khan et al, 2021), results indicated that concentrations of N, P, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn, S, Al, and Fe generally increased with the level of decay across all three forest types, except for K and B in PAPF. The highest concentrations of N, P, B, Mg, K, C, Zn, and Mn in coarse wood debris (CWD) were found in BPF, while the highest concentrations of Fe and S were observed in PAPF and TPF, respectively.…”

“…In the present study, we used our previously published data from Khan et al (2021) and Khan et al (2022) to evaluate the correlations between coarse wood debris (CWD) and various soil chemical properties, enzymes activities, etc.…”

Evaluating stumps volume in managed, protective pine stands of the subtaiga forest-steppe region of Middle Siberia

“…C and N concentrations are important factors that influence the decay of deadwood. CWD is crucial for forest productivity, nutrient cycling, carbon decomposition and sequestration, and forms a significant carbon pool in the forest ecosystem [12]. Soil, mulch, and downed logs are significant carbon pools that should be considered in programs aimed at reducing carbon emissions in arid regions [13].…”

The effects of crop tree thinning intensity on the ability of dominant tree species to sequester carbon in a temperate deciduous mixed forest, northeastern China

“…Dominant species like Korean pine and Manchurian ash are mostly retained considering their high economic value. After thinning, the chopped trees were left in the plot to imitate the process of self-thinning, during which the dead trees or fallen trees would stay in the forests, becoming coarse wood debris and providing habitats and protection for various organisms such as insects and fungi (Bunnell and Houde, 2010;Khan et al, 2021). The tree codes of fallen trees were recorded to calculate the actual thinning intensities, which are 0% (CK), 17.25% (LT), 34.73% (MT) and 51.87% (HT) (Table 1).…”