JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2024, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (4): 191-199.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202209065

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The litter decomposition of fallen leaves and branches from sub-alpine Quercus aquifolioides of central Yunnan Plateau under simulated nitrogen deposition

XING Jinmei1(), WANG Keqin1,2, SONG Yali1,2,*(), FU Hongwei1   

  1. 1. School of Ecology and Environment, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
    2. National Positioning Observation and Research Station of Yuxi Forest Ecosystem, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Kunming 650224, China
  • Received:2022-09-29 Revised:2023-03-30 Online:2024-07-30 Published:2024-08-05
  • Contact: SONG Yali E-mail:xingjinmei1720@163.com;songyali19851205@sina.com

Abstract:

【Objective】Increased nitrogen (N) deposition affects carbon (C) and N availability by affecting the litter decomposition process, after which it affects the C-nutrient balance of the biogeochemical cycle. In this study, the nylon mesh bag method was used to study the decomposition rate and nutrient content changes of Quercus aquifolioides litter under simulated N deposition, providing a reference for an effective Q. aquifolioides forest ecosystem management.【Method】The in situ litter decomposition test was carried out in the Q. aquifolioides forest of Mopanshan in Xinping County, central Yunnan Province. Four N levels were applied using the nylon mesh bag method, with urea (CH4N2O) as the N source for in situ decomposition of litter and N deposition treatment. The four N deposition levels were: control [CK, 0 g/(m2·a)], low N [LN, 10 g/(m2·a)], medium N [MN, 20 g/(m2·a)] and high N [HN, 25 g/(m2·a)]. Leaf litter and twig mass remaining, lignin, cellulose, and C, N, P and K contents were then measured.【Result】① After one year of decomposition, the N deposition treatment significantly increased the mass remaining rate (P<0.05) of leaf litter (0.84%-3.87%) and twig (1.67%-3.30%). The litter decomposition was inhibited, and the inhibition intensity was proportional to N content application. ② Variation coefficients of leaf and twig litter decomposition were 0.271-0.368 and 0.167-0.218 kg/(kg·a), respectively. The lhe C/N (69.02) and lignin/N (54.65) of twig litter were significantly higher compared with leaf litter (52.09 and 44.42, respectively). Leaf decomposition rate was faster compared with that of twig. ③ The chemical composition of the litter affected its mass remaining rate, which was negatively correlated with N and P contents of leaf and twig litters, and positively correlated with C, cellulose, C/N, C/P, lignin/N and cellulose/N.【Conclusion】The N deposition inhibits litter decomposition, and this effect is significantly enhanced by increased nutrient content. Initial nutrient content effects nutrient retention and litter release processes, among which N level, C/N and lignin/N are important influencing factors.

Key words: leaf litter, twig litter, decomposition rate, lignin, cellulose, central Yunnan Plateau, Quercus aquifolioides, N deposition

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