Sodium limits litter decomposition rates in a subtropical forest: Additional tests of the sodium ecosystem respiration hypothesis

Jia, Yanyan; Kong, Xiangshi; Weiser, Michael D.; Lv, Yanna; Akbar, Siddiq; Jia, Xiuqin; Tian, Kai; He, Zaihua; Lin, Hong; Bei, Zhanlin; Tian, Xingjun

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.04.012

Cited by 35 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…During litter decomposition, litter consumers must accumulate Na up to approximately 100-to 1000-fold The designated periods were divided based on the freeze-thaw dynamics according to our previous investigations at the study site over the litter they consume to maintain Na balance (Cromack et al 1977). Thus, Na usually showed a pattern of accumulation during litter decomposition and could fluctuate according to the Na balance of litter decomposers and consumers because neither insufficient nor excess Na would be unfavorable for decomposers and consumers and the carbon-release process (Jia et al 2015). Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu are essential trace elements for plant physiology, but excess amounts of these elements, similar to Al, would be harmful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of multiple metallic elements during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Yue

Yang

Peng

et al. 2016

Annals of Forest Science

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Abstract& Key message Compared with previously reported data, we found that plant litter decomposes faster in river ecosystem than on forest floor in a comparable period, but the dynamics of metallic elements during litter decomposition in river are likely to share common patterns with the corresponding ones in decomposing litter on forest floor. & Context Litter decomposition in terrestrial lotic ecosystem is one of the most important pathways for metallic elements cycling, while little information is currently available about the dynamics of metallic elements in the decomposing litter of lotic ecosystems.& Aims and methods The concentrations and release rates of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and aluminium (Al) were investigated in the decomposing foliar litter of four dominant species in an alpine forest river. & Results Over a 1-year period of decomposition, K, Ca, and Mg were released from virtually all types of litter, whereas Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Al were released from willow litter but accumulated in azalea, cypress, and larch litters during litter decomposition. Litter species, decomposition period, and river water characteristics (e.g., temperature, pH, flow velocity, and nutrient availability) were significantly related to the dynamics of these metallic elements in decomposing litter. & Conclusion Our results suggested that the similarity between the dynamics of metallic elements in the decomposing litter of lotic ecosystems reported here and previously for forest floors indicates a general pattern for the cycling of metallic element across different ecosystem types, and the net accumulation patterns for elements such as Zn, Cu, and Al during litter decomposition suggested that some litter species may act as efficient "cleaner" for metal purification in future ecological engineering.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of multiple metallic elements during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Yue

Yang

Peng

et al. 2016

Annals of Forest Science

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“…, Jia et al. ), whereas microorganisms may be less affected. In a decomposition experiment manipulating fauna access experimentally by using litterbags with either 5 or 0.2 mm mesh, decomposition was only enhanced by Na additions in the presence of fauna (Jia et al.…”

Section: Tropical Soils As a Non‐liebig Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tropical forests with highly weathered soils and that are far away from the coastline may also face sodium (Na) shortage as proposed in the sodium ecosystem respiration hypothesis (Kaspari et al 2014). However, Na limitation is particularly important for soil animals , Clay et al 2015, Jia et al 2015, whereas microorganisms may be less affected. In a decomposition experiment manipulating fauna access experimentally by using litterbags with either 5 or 0.2 mm mesh, decomposition was only enhanced by Na additions in the presence of fauna (Jia et al 2015).…”

Section: Tropical Soils As a Non-liebig Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Na limitation is particularly important for soil animals , Clay et al 2015, Jia et al 2015, whereas microorganisms may be less affected. In a decomposition experiment manipulating fauna access experimentally by using litterbags with either 5 or 0.2 mm mesh, decomposition was only enhanced by Na additions in the presence of fauna (Jia et al 2015). Similarly, microbial respiration and fungal abundance in litter did not respond to Na additions (T. Camenzind et al, unpublished data).…”

Section: Tropical Soils As a Non-liebig Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nutrient limitation of soil microbial processes in tropical forests

Camenzind

Hättenschwiler

Treseder

et al. 2017

Ecological Monographs

309

183

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Abstract. Soil fungi and bacteria are the key players in the transformation and processing of carbon and nutrients in terrestrial ecosystems, yet controls on their abundance and activity are not well understood. Based on stoichiometric principles, soil microbial processes are expected to be limited by mineral nutrients, which are particularly scarce in often highly weathered tropical forest soils. Such limitation is directly relevant for the fate of soil carbon and global element cycles, but its extent and nature have never been assessed systematically across the tropical biome. Here, we address the relative importance of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients in limiting soil microbial biomass and process rates in tropical forests. We conducted an in-depth literature review and a meta-analysis of the available nutrient addition experiments in tropical forests worldwide. Our synthesis showed predominant and general phosphorus limitation of a variety of microbial processes across tropical forests, and additional nitrogen limitation in tropical montane forests. The apparent widespread microbial phosphorus limitation needs to be accounted for in the understanding and prediction of biogeochemical cycles in tropical forests and their future functioning. Other mineral nutrients or carbon may modify the importance of phosphorus, but more experimental studies are urgently needed.

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“…Leaf litter is a major source of energy and nutrients for belowground processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Over 80% of the carbon (C) fixed via photosynthesis in terrestrial forests falls as litter, which is then decomposed by microbes and detritivores in the brown food webs (García Palacios, Shaw, Wall, & Hättenschwiler, ; Jia et al, ; Kaspari & Yanoviak, ). Among those decomposers, saprotrophic microorganisms are the principal drivers responsible for litter decomposition and nutrient cycling; powerful enzymatic capabilities enable them to breakdown the most recalcitrant components of litter into small utilizable molecules (Lü et al, ; Turner et al, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nitrogen deposition slows down the litter decomposition induced by soil macrofauna in the soil of subtropical forests in China

Jia

Dalu

Chuan-wan

et al. 2019

Ecological Research

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As atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition elevates, extensive researches into the consequences of N deposition on litter decomposition process have been triggered; yet, responses of aboveground macro‐detritivores to atmospheric N deposition and their interactive effects on saprotrophic microorganisms and litter decomposition process are not thoroughly understood. By soil incubation, we assessed the influence of N deposition on the decomposition process of broad leaf (Quercus acutissima) and needle (Pinus massoniana) litter mediated by macro‐detritivore isopods (Armadillidium vulgare) and soil microorganisms. Changes in litter chemical composition (total carbohydrate and N), litter mass loss, soil pH values, soil microbial biomass and the activities of degradative enzymes were determined during a 6‐month laboratory incubation. Results showed that N addition enhanced Q. acutissima litter decomposition in the absence of A. vulgare, but decreased that when A. vulgare presence. N addition had no significant effect on P. massoniana litter decomposition regardless of A. vulgare presence or absence. However, N addition decreased isopod feeding contributions, with litter mass loss of 1.83–2.92 times lower than those of only isopod addition treatments in the two litter types. N addition inhibited soil microbial biomass and enzymatic activities related to N and phenolic metabolism of needle litter when isopods presence. Our findings suggest that N addition likely weakens the feeding activity of soil fauna and slows down the litter decomposition in broad‐leaved forests. This implies that a long‐term consequence of N deposition may induce the soil C accumulation and affect the balance of ecosystem nutrient flux in subtropical broad‐leaved forests.

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Sodium limits litter decomposition rates in a subtropical forest: Additional tests of the sodium ecosystem respiration hypothesis

Cited by 35 publications

References 46 publications

Dynamics of multiple metallic elements during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Dynamics of multiple metallic elements during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

Nutrient limitation of soil microbial processes in tropical forests

Nitrogen deposition slows down the litter decomposition induced by soil macrofauna in the soil of subtropical forests in China

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