Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback
Leaf litter decomposition is a major component of nutrient cycling which depends on the quality and quantity of the leaf material. Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior, decay time ∼ 0.4 years) are declining throughout Europe due to a fungal pathogen (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which is likely to alter bioch...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Heliyon |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024032596 |
| _version_ | 1797259694223392768 |
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| author | Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö Thomas Atkins Yadvinder Malhi |
| author_facet | Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö Thomas Atkins Yadvinder Malhi |
| author_sort | Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Leaf litter decomposition is a major component of nutrient cycling which depends on the quality and quantity of the leaf material. Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior, decay time ∼ 0.4 years) are declining throughout Europe due to a fungal pathogen (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which is likely to alter biochemical cycling across the continent. The ecological impact of losing species with fast decomposing leaves is not well quantified. In this study we examine how decomposition of three leaf species with varying decomposition rates including ash, sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus, decay time ∼ 1.4 years), and beech (Fagus sylvatica, decay time ∼ 6.8 years) differ in habitats with and without ash as the dominant overstorey species. Ten plots (40 m × 40 m) were set up in five locations representing ash dominated and non-ash dominated habitats. In each plot mesh bags (30 cm × 30 cm, 0.5 mm aperture) with a single leaf species (5 g) were used to include (large holes added) and exclude macrofauna invertebrates (with a focus on decomposer organisms such as earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice). The mesh bags were installed in October 2020 and retrieved without replacement at exponential intervals after 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Total leaf mass loss was highest in the ash dominated habitat (ash dominated: 88.5%, non-ash dominated: 66.5%) where macrofauna were the main contributor (macrofauna: 96%, microorganisms/mesofauna: 4%). The difference between macrofauna vs microorganisms and mesofauna was less pronounced in the non-ash dominated habitat (macrofauna: 68%, microorganisms/mesofauna: 31%). Our results suggest that if ash dominated habitats are replaced by species such as sycamore, beech, and oak, the role of macrofauna decomposers will be reduced and leaf litter decomposition rates will decrease by 25%. These results provide important insights for future ash dieback management decisions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:13:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3410080b9d8e4a028bd4c608d88dba71 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2405-8440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T23:13:30Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heliyon |
| spelling | doaj.art-3410080b9d8e4a028bd4c608d88dba712024-03-17T07:57:43ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402024-03-01105e27228Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash diebackCecilia A.L. Dahlsjö0Thomas Atkins1Yadvinder Malhi2School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK; Corresponding author.School of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UKSchool of Geography and the Environment, South Parks Road, OX1 3QY, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK; Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, University of Oxford, UKLeaf litter decomposition is a major component of nutrient cycling which depends on the quality and quantity of the leaf material. Ash trees (Fraxinus excelsior, decay time ∼ 0.4 years) are declining throughout Europe due to a fungal pathogen (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which is likely to alter biochemical cycling across the continent. The ecological impact of losing species with fast decomposing leaves is not well quantified. In this study we examine how decomposition of three leaf species with varying decomposition rates including ash, sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus, decay time ∼ 1.4 years), and beech (Fagus sylvatica, decay time ∼ 6.8 years) differ in habitats with and without ash as the dominant overstorey species. Ten plots (40 m × 40 m) were set up in five locations representing ash dominated and non-ash dominated habitats. In each plot mesh bags (30 cm × 30 cm, 0.5 mm aperture) with a single leaf species (5 g) were used to include (large holes added) and exclude macrofauna invertebrates (with a focus on decomposer organisms such as earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice). The mesh bags were installed in October 2020 and retrieved without replacement at exponential intervals after 6, 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Total leaf mass loss was highest in the ash dominated habitat (ash dominated: 88.5%, non-ash dominated: 66.5%) where macrofauna were the main contributor (macrofauna: 96%, microorganisms/mesofauna: 4%). The difference between macrofauna vs microorganisms and mesofauna was less pronounced in the non-ash dominated habitat (macrofauna: 68%, microorganisms/mesofauna: 31%). Our results suggest that if ash dominated habitats are replaced by species such as sycamore, beech, and oak, the role of macrofauna decomposers will be reduced and leaf litter decomposition rates will decrease by 25%. These results provide important insights for future ash dieback management decisions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024032596Ash diebackDecompositionFraxinus excelsiorInvertebratesLeaf litterWytham woods |
| spellingShingle | Cecilia A.L. Dahlsjö Thomas Atkins Yadvinder Malhi Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback Heliyon Ash dieback Decomposition Fraxinus excelsior Invertebrates Leaf litter Wytham woods |
| title | Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback |
| title_full | Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback |
| title_fullStr | Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback |
| title_full_unstemmed | Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback |
| title_short | Large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in Fraxinus excelsior-dominated habitats: Implications of ash dieback |
| title_sort | large invertebrate decomposers contribute to faster leaf litter decomposition in fraxinus excelsior dominated habitats implications of ash dieback |
| topic | Ash dieback Decomposition Fraxinus excelsior Invertebrates Leaf litter Wytham woods |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024032596 |
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