The direct effects of UV-B radiation on Betula pubescens litter decomposing at four European field sites

Moody, Sandra A.; Paul, Nigel D.; Björn, Lars Olof; Callaghan, Terry V.; Lee, John A.; Manetas, Yiannis; Rozema, J.; Gwynn‐Jones, Dylan; Johanson, Ulf; Kyparissis, Aris; Oudejans, A.M.C.

doi:10.1007/978-94-017-2892-8_3

Cited by 27 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In the sub-Arctic (Abisko), a study of the decomposition rates of a standard litter type showed that there was a change in the composition of fungal species resulting from elevated UV-B levels (164). These results to some extent resemble those from an earlier experiment on decomposition of dwarf shrub litter from the same site (104).…”

Section: Specific Responses Of Microorganisms To Changes In Climate Asupporting

confidence: 53%

“…Several groups have studied effects of UV-B on phylloplane (leaf surface-dwelling) fungi and litter decomposing fungi. Moody et al (164) found that five of the investigated species were sensitive and seven relatively insensitive. The spore production in the litter decomposers was generally inhibited by UV-B (except for one species), while that in phylloplane species was unaffected.…”

Section: Specific Responses Of Microorganisms To Changes In Climate Amentioning

confidence: 96%

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Responses to Projected Changes in Climate and UV-B at the Species Level

Callaghan¹,

Björn²,

Chernov³

et al. 2004

Ambio

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Environmental manipulation experiments showed that species respond individualistically to each environmental-change variable. The greatest responses of plants were generally to nutrient, particularly nitrogen, addition. Summer warming experiments showed that woody plant responses were dominant and that mosses and lichens became less abundant. Responses to warming were controlled by moisture availability and snow cover. Many invertebrates increased population growth in response to summer warming, as long as desiccation was not induced. CO 2 and UV-B enrichment experiments showed that plant and animal responses were small. However, some microorganisms and species of fungi were sensitive to increased UV-B and some intensive mutagenic actions could, perhaps, lead to unexpected epidemic outbreaks. Tundra soil heating, CO 2 enrichment and amendment with mineral nutrients generally accelerated microbial activity. Algae are likely to dominate cyanobacteria in milder climates. Expected increases in winter freeze-thaw cycles leading to ice-crust formation are likely to severely reduce winter survival rate and disrupt the population dynamics of many terrestrial animals. A deeper snow cover is likely to restrict access to winter pastures by reindeer/caribou and their ability to flee from predators while any earlier onset of the snow-free period is likely to stimulate increased plant growth. Initial species responses to climate change might occur at the sub-species level: an Arctic plant or animal species with high genetic/racial diversity has proved an ability to adapt to different environmental conditions in the past and is likely to do so also in the future. Indigenous knowledge, air photographs, satellite images and monitoring show that changes in the distributions of some species are already occurring: Arctic vegetation is becoming more shrubby and more productive, there have been recent changes in the ranges of caribou, and "new" species of insects and birds previously associated with areas south of the treeline have been recorded. In contrast, almost all Arctic breeding bird species are declining and models predict further quite dramatic reductions of the populations of tundra birds due to warming. Species-climate response surface models predict potential future ranges of current Arctic species that are often markedly reduced and displaced northwards in response to warming. In contrast, invertebrates and microorganisms are very likely to quickly expand their ranges northwards into the Arctic.

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Section: Specific Responses Of Microorganisms To Changes In Climate Asupporting

confidence: 53%

Section: Specific Responses Of Microorganisms To Changes In Climate Amentioning

confidence: 96%

Responses to Projected Changes in Climate and UV-B at the Species Level

Callaghan¹,

Björn²,

Chernov³

et al. 2004

Ambio

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“…In aquatic ecosystems, light in general and UV radiation in particular can accelerate the breakdown of complex aromatic compounds (Rozema et al 2002;Moorhead and Callaghan 1994). In terrestrial ecosystems, the photochemical degradation of litter has received the most attention in polar and arid areas (Gehrke et al 1995;Pancotto et al 2005;Gallo et al 2006;Moody et al 2001;Austin and Vivanco 2006;Brandt et al 2007), where photochemical degradation of litter may be a major driver of litter decomposition (Gallo et al 2006;Austin and Vivanco 2006). Elevated UV radiation, however, could also slow litter decomposition by altering the chemistry of plants (and therefore of litter) and by adversely affecting the decomposer organisms (Gehrke et al 1995;Pancotto et al 2003Pancotto et al , 2005.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of lignin photodegradation on decomposability of Calamagrostis epigeios grass litter

2011

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The common grass Calamagrostis epigeions produces a large amount of dead biomass, which remain above the soil surface for many months. In this study, we determined how exposure of dead biomass above the soil affects its subsequent decomposition in soil. Collected dead standing biomass was divided in two parts, the first one (initial litter) was stored in a dark, dry place. The other part was placed in litterbags in the field. The litterbags were located in soil, on the soil surface, or hanging in the air without contact with soil but exposed to the sun and rain. After 1 year of field exposure, litter mass loss and C and N content were measured, and changes in litter chemistry were explored using NMR and thermochemolysis-GC-MS. The potential decomposability of the litter was quantified by burying the litter from the litterbags and the initial litter in soil microcosms and measuring soil respiration. Soil respiration was greater with litter that had been hanging in air than with all other kinds of litter. These finding could not be explained by changes in litter mass or C:N ratio. NMR indicated a decrease in polysaccharides relative to lignin in litter that was buried in soil but not in litter that was placed on soil surface or that was hanging in the air. Thermochemolysis indicated that the syringyl units of the litter lignin were decomposed when the litter was exposed to light. We postulate that photochemical decay of lignin increase decomposability of dead standing biomass.

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“…Changes induced by UV radiation aVect the concentrations of lignin, N, carbohydrates, cellulose, tannins and other phenolic metabolites and the ratios of lignin:cellulose, C:N and lignin:N; factors which are considered to have an important role in the decomposition of litter (Paul et al 1999;Bardgett 2005). However, eVects of UV-B radiation on litter chemistry have been demonstrated to be variable and dependent on the system under focus (Rozema et al 1997;Paul et al 1999;Moody et al 2001). There is evidence suggesting that species-speciWc production of phenolic compounds could have a bearing on soil microbial activity and nutrient cycling at the ecosystem scale, further having an eVect on competitive interactions of plants (Bardgett 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar ultraviolet radiation alters alder and birch litter chemistry that in turn affects decomposers and soil respiration

et al. 2009

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Solar ultraviolet (UV)-A and UV-B radiation were excluded from branches of grey alder (Alnus incana) and white birch (Betula pubescens) trees in a field experiment. Leaf litter collected from these trees was used in microcosm experiments under laboratory conditions. The aim was to evaluate the effects of the different UV treatments on litter chemical quality (phenolic compounds, C, N and lignin) and the subsequent effects of these changes on soil fauna and decomposition processes. We measured the decomposition rate of litter, growth of woodlice (Porcellio scaber), soil microbial respiration and abundance of nematodes and enchytraeid worms. In addition, the chemical quality of woodlice feces was analyzed. The exclusion of both UV-A and UV-B had several effects on litter chemistry. Exclusion of UV-B radiation decreased the C content in litter in both tree species. In alder litter, UV exclusion affected concentration of phenolic groups variably, whereas in birch litter there were no significant differences in phenolic compounds. Moreover, further effects on microbial respiration and chemical quality of woodlice feces were apparent. In both tree species, microbial CO(2) evolution was lower in soil with litter produced under exclusion of both UV-A and UV-B radiation when compared to soil with control litter. The N content was higher in the feces of woodlice eating alder litter produced under exclusion of both UV-A and UV-B compared to the control. In addition, there were small changes in the concentration of individual phenolic compounds analyzed from woodlice feces. Our results demonstrate that both UV-A and UV-B alter litter chemistry which in turn affects decomposition processes.

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The direct effects of UV-B radiation on Betula pubescens litter decomposing at four European field sites

Cited by 27 publications

References 11 publications

Responses to Projected Changes in Climate and UV-B at the Species Level

Responses to Projected Changes in Climate and UV-B at the Species Level

The effect of lignin photodegradation on decomposability of Calamagrostis epigeios grass litter

Solar ultraviolet radiation alters alder and birch litter chemistry that in turn affects decomposers and soil respiration

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