Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
To achieve a fuller understanding of forest ecosystem functioning, it is necessary to know decomposition dynamics. The objective of this study was to quantify litter production, decomposition and mineralization in Nothofagus pumilio forests, in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, along an altitudinal gradi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences
2014-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Forest Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-201412-0004_litterfall-and-leaf-decomposition-in-nothofagus-pumilio-forests-along-an-altitudinal-gradient-in-tierra-del-fue.php |
| _version_ | 1797898806819291136 |
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| author | A. Moretto G.J. Martínez Pastur |
| author_facet | A. Moretto G.J. Martínez Pastur |
| author_sort | A. Moretto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | To achieve a fuller understanding of forest ecosystem functioning, it is necessary to know decomposition dynamics. The objective of this study was to quantify litter production, decomposition and mineralization in Nothofagus pumilio forests, in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, along an altitudinal gradient during a two-year period and relate them to microclimate conditions and soil properties. We did the research along an altitudinal sequence at 210, 330, 460 and 590 m a.s.l., where climate, soil properties and forest structure were characterized. Litterfall decreased with altitude, and it was highly related with leaf and reproductive organ production. Decomposition decreased with altitude, being associated with microclimate and soil properties rather than with other measured variables, such as leaf chemistry. Values of decomposition constant (k) were influenced by altitude and varied between seasons and years within a given altitude. Nitrogen content increased with altitude in the two-year period, while P content decreased. Decomposition rates allowed us to separate the forest stands according to altitudinal gradients, and their intrinsic abiotic characteristics, which could increase the understanding of the nutrient flux and dynamics in these austral forest ecosystems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T08:20:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-da21adb4a77545a48c8a9a5a47ba671e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1212-4834 1805-935X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T08:20:01Z |
| publishDate | 2014-12-01 |
| publisher | Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Forest Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-da21adb4a77545a48c8a9a5a47ba671e2023-02-23T03:42:32ZengCzech Academy of Agricultural SciencesJournal of Forest Science1212-48341805-935X2014-12-01601250051010.17221/74/2014-JFSjfs-201412-0004Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, ArgentinaA. Moretto0G.J. Martínez Pastur1Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, ArgentinaCentro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Ushuaia, ArgentinaTo achieve a fuller understanding of forest ecosystem functioning, it is necessary to know decomposition dynamics. The objective of this study was to quantify litter production, decomposition and mineralization in Nothofagus pumilio forests, in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, along an altitudinal gradient during a two-year period and relate them to microclimate conditions and soil properties. We did the research along an altitudinal sequence at 210, 330, 460 and 590 m a.s.l., where climate, soil properties and forest structure were characterized. Litterfall decreased with altitude, and it was highly related with leaf and reproductive organ production. Decomposition decreased with altitude, being associated with microclimate and soil properties rather than with other measured variables, such as leaf chemistry. Values of decomposition constant (k) were influenced by altitude and varied between seasons and years within a given altitude. Nitrogen content increased with altitude in the two-year period, while P content decreased. Decomposition rates allowed us to separate the forest stands according to altitudinal gradients, and their intrinsic abiotic characteristics, which could increase the understanding of the nutrient flux and dynamics in these austral forest ecosystems.https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-201412-0004_litterfall-and-leaf-decomposition-in-nothofagus-pumilio-forests-along-an-altitudinal-gradient-in-tierra-del-fue.phplittermicroclimatenitrogenphosphorus |
| spellingShingle | A. Moretto G.J. Martínez Pastur Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina Journal of Forest Science litter microclimate nitrogen phosphorus |
| title | Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| title_full | Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| title_fullStr | Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| title_full_unstemmed | Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| title_short | Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina |
| title_sort | litterfall and leaf decomposition in nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in tierra del fuego argentina |
| topic | litter microclimate nitrogen phosphorus |
| url | https://jfs.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/jfs-201412-0004_litterfall-and-leaf-decomposition-in-nothofagus-pumilio-forests-along-an-altitudinal-gradient-in-tierra-del-fue.php |
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