Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests
Litterfall, directly and indirectly, affects the soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, and diversity of soil fauna and flora by adding organic matter and nutrients to the soil. This study explores litterfall dynamics such as litterfall production, litter decomposition rate, and associ...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.903039/full |
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| author | Taimoor Hassan Farooq Taimoor Hassan Farooq Zhongwen Li Zhongwen Li Wende Yan Wende Yan Awais Shakoor Uttam Kumar Rubab Shabbir Yuanying Peng Ekambaram Gayathiri Saqer S. Alotaibi Jacek Wróbel Hazem M. kalaji Hazem M. kalaji Xiaoyong Chen Xiaoyong Chen |
| author_facet | Taimoor Hassan Farooq Taimoor Hassan Farooq Zhongwen Li Zhongwen Li Wende Yan Wende Yan Awais Shakoor Uttam Kumar Rubab Shabbir Yuanying Peng Ekambaram Gayathiri Saqer S. Alotaibi Jacek Wróbel Hazem M. kalaji Hazem M. kalaji Xiaoyong Chen Xiaoyong Chen |
| author_sort | Taimoor Hassan Farooq |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Litterfall, directly and indirectly, affects the soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, and diversity of soil fauna and flora by adding organic matter and nutrients to the soil. This study explores litterfall dynamics such as litterfall production, litter decomposition rate, and associated nutrient return in three forest types, that is, camphor tree forest (CTF), Masson pine forest (MPF), and camphor tree and Masson pine mixed forest (CMF), in subtropical China. Results showed that CMF had the highest mean annual litterfall production (4.30 ± 0.22 t ha−1), which was significantly higher than that of MPF (3.41 ± 0.25 t ha−1) and CTF (3.26 ± 0.17 t ha−1). Leaf represented the major fraction of litterfall, constituting over 71% of the total litterfall mass in the three forest types. The contribution of branch litter was 16.3, 8.9, and 16.9%, and miscellaneous litter was 12.6, 18.9, and 11.1% in CTF, MPF, and CMF, respectively. The concentration of macronutrients ranked as N > Ca > K > Mg > P in all litter fractions. The total annual macronutrient return to the soil from the litterfall was in order as CTF (74.2 kg ha−1‧yr−1) > CMF (70.7 kg ha−1‧yr−1) > MPF (33.6 kg ha−1‧yr−1). The decomposition rate was higher in leaf litter than in branch litter throughout the three forests. Among the forest types, the leaf and branch decomposition rates were in a pattern: CTF > CMF > MPF. The ratio of C/N in both leaf and branch litters was significantly higher in MPF than in CTF and CMF, while no significant differences in N/P ratio were found in these litters among the three forests. The high N:P ratios in leaf litter (23/30) and the branch (24/32) litter indicated the high N returning and low nutrient returning to the soil. Our results suggested that the broadleaved forests have faster litter decomposition and higher macronutrient returns than conifer forests. Moreover, the litter decomposition rate was mainly associated with litterfall quality and chemical composition. The introduction of broadleaved trees into monoculture coniferous stands could increase litter production nutrients return, and thus, it had advantages in soil nutrients restoration and sustainable forest management. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:09:02Z |
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| id | doaj.art-61ef6ed127064e34860916623177368c |
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| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T15:09:02Z |
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| series | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-61ef6ed127064e34860916623177368c2022-12-22T01:00:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Environmental Science2296-665X2022-06-011010.3389/fenvs.2022.903039903039Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine ForestsTaimoor Hassan Farooq0Taimoor Hassan Farooq1Zhongwen Li2Zhongwen Li3Wende Yan4Wende Yan5Awais Shakoor6Uttam Kumar7Rubab Shabbir8Yuanying Peng9Ekambaram Gayathiri10Saqer S. Alotaibi11Jacek Wróbel12Hazem M. kalaji13Hazem M. kalaji14Xiaoyong Chen15Xiaoyong Chen16Bangor College China, a Joint Unit of Bangor University and Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, ChinaNational Engineering Laboratory for Applied Technology of forestry and Ecology in Southern China, Changsha, ChinaNational Engineering Laboratory for Applied Technology of forestry and Ecology in Southern China, Changsha, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, ChinaNational Engineering Laboratory for Applied Technology of forestry and Ecology in Southern China, Changsha, ChinaCollege of Life Science and Technology, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, ChinaDepartment of Environment and Soil Sciences, University of Lleida, Lleida, SpainCollege of Plant Protection, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, ChinaDepartment of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Seed Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, PakistanCollege of Arts and Sciences, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL, United StatesDepartment of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Guru Nanak College, Chennai, IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia0Department of Bioengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland1Department of Plant Physiology, Institute of Biology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences SGGW, Warsaw, Poland2Institute of Technology and Life Sciences - National Research Institute, Falenty, PolandNational Engineering Laboratory for Applied Technology of forestry and Ecology in Southern China, Changsha, China3College of Arts and Sciences, Governors State University, University Park, IL, United StatesLitterfall, directly and indirectly, affects the soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, and diversity of soil fauna and flora by adding organic matter and nutrients to the soil. This study explores litterfall dynamics such as litterfall production, litter decomposition rate, and associated nutrient return in three forest types, that is, camphor tree forest (CTF), Masson pine forest (MPF), and camphor tree and Masson pine mixed forest (CMF), in subtropical China. Results showed that CMF had the highest mean annual litterfall production (4.30 ± 0.22 t ha−1), which was significantly higher than that of MPF (3.41 ± 0.25 t ha−1) and CTF (3.26 ± 0.17 t ha−1). Leaf represented the major fraction of litterfall, constituting over 71% of the total litterfall mass in the three forest types. The contribution of branch litter was 16.3, 8.9, and 16.9%, and miscellaneous litter was 12.6, 18.9, and 11.1% in CTF, MPF, and CMF, respectively. The concentration of macronutrients ranked as N > Ca > K > Mg > P in all litter fractions. The total annual macronutrient return to the soil from the litterfall was in order as CTF (74.2 kg ha−1‧yr−1) > CMF (70.7 kg ha−1‧yr−1) > MPF (33.6 kg ha−1‧yr−1). The decomposition rate was higher in leaf litter than in branch litter throughout the three forests. Among the forest types, the leaf and branch decomposition rates were in a pattern: CTF > CMF > MPF. The ratio of C/N in both leaf and branch litters was significantly higher in MPF than in CTF and CMF, while no significant differences in N/P ratio were found in these litters among the three forests. The high N:P ratios in leaf litter (23/30) and the branch (24/32) litter indicated the high N returning and low nutrient returning to the soil. Our results suggested that the broadleaved forests have faster litter decomposition and higher macronutrient returns than conifer forests. Moreover, the litter decomposition rate was mainly associated with litterfall quality and chemical composition. The introduction of broadleaved trees into monoculture coniferous stands could increase litter production nutrients return, and thus, it had advantages in soil nutrients restoration and sustainable forest management.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.903039/fullLitterfallDecompositionMacronutrientsDecay rateStoichiometrySubtropical forest |
| spellingShingle | Taimoor Hassan Farooq Taimoor Hassan Farooq Zhongwen Li Zhongwen Li Wende Yan Wende Yan Awais Shakoor Uttam Kumar Rubab Shabbir Yuanying Peng Ekambaram Gayathiri Saqer S. Alotaibi Jacek Wróbel Hazem M. kalaji Hazem M. kalaji Xiaoyong Chen Xiaoyong Chen Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests Frontiers in Environmental Science Litterfall Decomposition Macronutrients Decay rate Stoichiometry Subtropical forest |
| title | Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests |
| title_full | Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests |
| title_fullStr | Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests |
| title_full_unstemmed | Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests |
| title_short | Variations in Litterfall Dynamics, C:N:P Stoichiometry and Associated Nutrient Return in Pure and Mixed Stands of Camphor Tree and Masson Pine Forests |
| title_sort | variations in litterfall dynamics c n p stoichiometry and associated nutrient return in pure and mixed stands of camphor tree and masson pine forests |
| topic | Litterfall Decomposition Macronutrients Decay rate Stoichiometry Subtropical forest |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.903039/full |
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