Leaf decomposition and nutrient release characteristics of different plant species in the Loess Hilly region

doi:10.11686/cyxb2017442

Abstract

Abstract: The decomposition of leaf litter has important significance for nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Robinia pseudoacacia, Pinus tabulaeformis and Festuca arundinacea are commonly used species for returning farmland to forests in the Loess Hilly Region of western Henan, and Caragana korshinskii is a widely distributed herbaceous plant in this region.We studied the differences in decomposition characteristics of R. pseudoacacia, P. tabulaeformis, F. arundinacea and C. korshinskii leaf litter, using a nylon bag method. Leaf litter of F. arundinacea decomposed, respectively, 8.86%, 19.87% and 13.18% faster than litter of R. pseudoacacia, P. tabulaeformis and C. korshinskii. Leaf litter decomposition processes followed Olson’s exponential model. Decay rates for leaf litter of the 4 species ranked F. arundinacea>R. pseudoacacia>C. korshinskii>P. tabulaeformis. During the decomposition process, the C/N and P content the leaf litter of 4 litters species decreased gradually but the lignin content increased slowly, while the cellulose content initially increased and then decreased. Change with time in C and P concentration of decomposing leaf litter followed a ‘direct release’ model, while N concentration followed an ‘enrichment-release’ model. The concentrations of total C, and lignin and the C/N ratio were significantly, negatively correlated with decomposition rate of the leaf litters (P<0.01).Therefore, the concentrations of total C, lignin and C/N ratio in leaf litter samples could be used as decomposition indicators to predict litter decay rate in this region. We also noted that physical characteristics of leaf litter (specific leaf area, thickness, hardness, etc.) are additional factors with important effects on leaf litter decomposition rate.

Key words: leaf litters, loess hilly region, decomposition, nutrient release

LIU Jing, XIE Wan-yu, ZHANG Qiao-ming, XU Shao-jun. Leaf decomposition and nutrient release characteristics of different plant species in the Loess Hilly region[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2018, 27(9): 25-33.

References

[1] Li Y, Zhou J B, Dong Y J, et al. Decomposition of different plant litters in Loess Plateau of Northwest China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2012, 23(12): 3309-3316.
李云, 周建斌, 董燕捷, 等. 黄土高原不同植物凋落物的分解特性. 应用生态学报, 2012, 23(12): 3309-3316.
[2] Bray S R, Kitajima K, Mack M C.Temporal dynamics of microbial communities on decomposing leaf litter of 10 plant species in relation to decomposition rate. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2012, 49: 30-37.
[3] Qu H, Zhao X Y, Zhao H L, et al. Research progress of litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Pratacultural Science, 2010, 27(8): 44-51.
曲浩, 赵学勇, 赵哈林, 等. 陆地生态系统凋落物分解研究进展. 草业科学, 2010, 27(8): 44-51.
[4] Hobbie S E.Plant species effects on nutrient cycling: revisiting litter feedbacks. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 2015, 30(6): 357-363.
[5] Song P, Zhang N L, Ma K P, et al. Impacts of global warming on litter decomposition. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2014, 34(6): 1327-1339.
宋飘, 张乃莉, 马克平, 等. 全球气候变暖对凋落物分解的影响. 生态学报, 2014, 34(6): 1327-1339.
[6] Song X Z, Jiang H, Zhang H L, et al. A review on the effects of global environment change on litter decomposition. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2008, 28(9): 4414-4423.
宋新章, 江洪, 张慧玲, 等. 全球环境变化对森林凋落物分解的影响. 生态学报, 2008, 28(9): 4414-4423.
[7] Meentemeyer V.Macroclimate and 1ignincontrol of litter decomposition rates. Ecology, 1978, 59: 465-472.
[8] Jin L, Wu Z X, Yang C, et al. Leaf-litter decomposition characteristics and carbon dynamics affected by forest agesin rubber plantations. Chinese Journal of Tropical Crops, 2015, 36(4): 698-705.
金龙, 吴志祥, 杨川, 等. 不同林龄橡胶凋落物叶分解特性与有机碳动态研究. 热带作物学报, 2015, 36(4): 698-705.
[9] Xiang Y B, Zhou S X, Xiao Y X, et al. Effects of simulated nitrogen deposition and precipitation changes on litter decomposition in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in the rainy area of Western China. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2017, 37(2): 455-463.
向元彬, 周世兴, 肖永翔, 等. 模拟氮沉降和降雨对华西雨屏区常绿阔叶林凋落物分解的影响. 生态学报, 2017, 37(2): 455-463.
[10] Wang J, Huang J H.Comparison of major nutrient release patterns in leaf litter decomposition in warm temperate zone of China. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2001, 25(3): 375-380.
王瑾, 黄建辉. 暖温带地区主要树种叶片凋落物分解过程中主要元素释放的比较. 植物生态学报, 2001, 25(3): 375-380.
[11] Chen X Y, Lü J L, Zhang H, et al. Residue decomposition in soils under different vegetation types. Agricultural Research in the Arid Areas, 2008, 26(4): 83-87.
陈小燕, 吕家珑, 张红, 等. 不同植被覆盖下植物残体分解特性. 干旱地区农业研究, 2008, 26(4): 83-87.
[12] Yu W C, Zhao J N, Li G, et al. Litter decompositions of three dominant plants in the Stipa baicalensis grassland of Inner Mongolia. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 2014, 22(3): 502-510.
于雯超, 赵建宁, 李刚, 等. 内蒙古贝加尔针茅草原3种主要植物凋落物分解特征. 草地学报, 2014, 22(3): 502-510.
[13] Duan Y Y, Song L J, Niu S Q, et al. Variation in leaf functional traits of different-aged Robinia pseudoacacia communities and relationships with soil nutrients. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2017, 28(1): 28-36.
段媛媛, 宋丽娟, 牛素旗, 等. 不同林龄刺槐叶功能性状差异及其与土壤养分的关系. 应用生态学报, 2017, 28(1): 28-36.
[14] Zhou X G, Guo S L, Che S G, et al. Aboveground litter contribution to soil respiration in a black locust plantation in the Loess Plateau. Acta Phytoecologica Sinica, 2012, 32(7): 2150-2157.
周小刚, 郭胜利, 车升国, 等. 黄土高原刺槐人工林地表凋落物对土壤呼吸的贡献. 生态学报, 2012, 32(7): 2150-2157.
[15] Li R J, Wang R, Li N N, et al. Changes of soil organic carbon and its influencing factors of apple orchards and black locusts in the small watershed of Loess Plateau, China. Environmental Science, 2015, 36(7): 2662-2668.
李如剑, 王蕊, 李娜娜, 等. 黄土区果园和刺槐林生态系统土壤有机碳变化及影响因素. 环境科学, 2015, 36(7): 2662-2668.
[16] Liu H, Lü J L.Study on soil microbial biomass and soil ecological stoichiometry characteristics under different vegetation types in the Loess Plateau. Acta Agriculturae Boreali-occidentalis Sinica, 2016, 25(5): 779-787.
刘衡, 吕家珑. 黄土丘陵区草地生态系统不同植物群落土壤生态化学计量学特征. 西北农业学报, 2016, 25(5): 779-787.
[17] Bo S D.Soil agricultural chemistry analysis. The third edition. Beijing: China Agriculture Press, 2000.
鲍士旦. 土壤农化分析. 第三版. 北京: 中国农业出版社, 2000.
[18] Tu L H, Hu T X, Zhang J, et al. Effect of simulated nitrogen deposition on nutrient release in decomposition of several litter fractions of two bamboo species. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2011, 31(6): 1547-1557.
涂利华, 胡庭兴, 张健, 等. 模拟氮沉降对两种竹林不同凋落物组分分解过程养分释放的影响. 生态学报, 2011, 31(6): 1547-1557.
[19] Rowland A P, Roberts J D.Lignin and cellulose fractionation in decomposition studies using acid-detergent fibre methods. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 1994, 25(3/4): 269-277.
[20] Guo J F, Yang Y S, Chen G S, et al. A review on litter decomposition in forest ecosystem. Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2006, 42(4): 93-100.
郭剑芬, 杨玉盛, 陈光水, 等. 森林凋落物分解研究进展. 林业科学, 2006, 42(4): 93-100.
[21] Wang X Y, Zhao X Y, Li Y L, et al. Effects of environmental factors on litter decomposition in arid and semiarid regions: A review. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013, 24(11): 3300-3310.
王新源, 赵学勇, 李玉霖, 等. 环境因素对干旱半干旱区凋落物分解的影响研究进展. 应用生态学报, 2013, 24(11): 3300-3310.
[22] Shen X, Liu Y, Tang S Y, et al. Characteristics of substrate quality variation at different litter decomposition stages in subalpine forest of Western Sichuan. Acta Botanica Boreali-occidentalia Sinica, 2017, 37(3): 586-594.
堪贤, 刘洋, 唐实玉, 等. 川西亚高山森林凋落物不同分解阶段基质质量特征. 西北植物学报, 2017, 37(3): 586-594.
[23] Yang W Q, Deng R J, Zhang J.Forest litter decomposition and its response to global climate change. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(12): 3889-2895.
杨万勤, 邓仁菊, 张健. 森林凋落物分解及其对全球气候变化的响应. 应用生态学报, 2007, 18(12): 3889-2895.
[24] Zhao Y, Wu M Z, Fan W, et al. Comparison of nutrient return and L fitter decomposition between coniferous and broad-leaved forests in hilly region of Taihang Mountains. Journal of Natural Resources, 2009, 24(9): 1616-1623.
赵勇, 吴明作, 樊巍, 等. 太行山针、阔叶森林凋落物分解及养分归还比较. 自然资源学报, 2009, 24(9): 1616-1623.
[25] Parton W, Silver W L, Burke I C, et al. Global-scale similarities in nitrogen release patterns during long-term decomposition. Science, 2007, 315(5810): 361-364.
[26] Patra A K, Abbadie L, Claysjosserand A, et al. Effects of management regime and plant species on the enzyme activity and genetic structure of N-fixing, denitrifying and nitrifying bacterial communities in grassland soils. Environmental Microbiology, 2006, 8(6): 1005-1016.
[27] Xu B, Zhu Z F, Li J Y, et al. Leaf decomposition and nutrient release of dominant species in the forest and lake in the Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2016, 40(9): 883-892.
徐波, 朱忠福, 李金洋, 等. 九寨沟国家自然保护区4个典型树种叶片凋落物在林下及高山湖泊中的分解及养分释放特征. 植物生态学报, 2016, 40(9): 883-892.
[28] Mcclaugherty C A, Pastor J, Aber J D, et al. Forest litter decomposition in relation to soil nitrogen dynamics and litter quality. Ecology, 1985, 66(1): 266-275.
[29] Moore T R, Trofymow J A, Taylor B, et al. Litter decomposition rates in Canadian forests. Global Change Biology, 2010, 5(1): 75-82.
[30] Chen J, Li Y, Huang J H.Decomposition of mixed litter of four dominant species in an Inner Mongolia steppe. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2011, 35(1): 9-16.
陈瑾, 李扬, 黄建辉. 内蒙古典型草原4种优势植物凋落物的混合分解研究. 植物生态学报, 2011, 35(1): 9-16.
[31] Tang S S, Yang W Q, Yin R, et al. Spatial characteristics in decomposition rate of foliar litter and controlling factors in Chinese forest ecosystems. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2014, 38(6): 529-539.
唐仕姗, 杨万勤, 殷睿, 等. 中国森林生态系统凋落叶分解速率的分布特征及其控制因子. 植物生态学报, 2014, 38(6): 529-539.
[32] Wang S Y, Yu L F, Huang Z S.Leaf litter decomposition of different species of photosynthetic functional plant groups in Karst Area of Central Guizhou. Journal of West China Forestry Science, 2014, 43(6): 139-142.
汪舒雅, 喻理飞, 黄宗胜. 黔中喀斯特区不同光合功能群树种凋落叶分解特性研究. 西部林业科学, 2014, 43(6): 139-142.
[33] Yang L, Deng C C, Chen Y M, et al. Relationships between decomposition rate of leaf litter and initial quality across the alpine timberline ecotone in Western Sichuan, China. Journal of Applied Ecology, 2015, 26(12): 3602-3610.
杨林, 邓长春, 陈亚梅, 等. 川西高山林线交错带凋落叶分解速率与初始质量的关系. 应用生态学报, 2015, 26(12): 3602-3610.
[34] Lin W, Zeng T, Yang B, et al. A study of litter decomposition of various forest communities at the Jiuzhaigou Valley. Journal of Sichuan University (Natural Science Edition), 2006, 43(5): 1121-1126.
林雯, 曾涛, 杨彪, 等. 九寨沟不同类型森林群落凋落物分解的研究. 四川大学学报(自然科学版), 2006, 43(5): 1121-1126.
[35] Lin K M, Zhang Z Q, Ye F M, et al. Dynamic analysis of decomposition characteristics and content change of nutrient elements of leaf litter of Cunninghamia lanceolata, Phoebe bournei and Schima superba under C. lanceolata artificial forest. Journal of Plant Resources and Environment, 2010, 19(2): 34-39.
林开敏, 章志琴, 叶发茂, 等. 杉木人工林下杉木、楠木和木荷叶凋落物分解特征及营养元素含量变化的动态分析. 植物资源与环境学报, 2010, 19(2): 34-39.