Nitrogen enrichment slows leaf litter decomposition rate in a mixed plantation of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Phoebe bournei

From the perspective of the leaf litter stoichiometric ratio

Dados Bibliográficos

ID19586149
AutoresYing Zhang (0000-0001-6214-2440, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Zhengyang Zheng (0009-0009-0942-193X, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Gongxiu He (0000-0002-9481-0877, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, autor correspondente), Jianguo Zhang (0000-0001-7057-2862, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Zehao Li (0000-0001-6827-8373, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Lili Yang (0000-0003-1277-3791, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Chuxiang Chen (0000-0002-6561-6143, Institute of Applied Ecology), Xinyu Tao (0000-0003-0023-8759, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Longchi Chen (0000-0003-1608-1987, Institute of Applied Ecology), Honggang Sun (0000-0001-7400-6518, Chinese Academy of Forestry), Xie Zhang (0000-0002-3113-9633, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Hui Li (0000-0001-9355-1116, Central South University of Forestry and Technology), Li Ji (0000-0002-2138-415X), Ji Li (0000-0002-6720-0125, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume22
Páginas100986
Data de publicação2025-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoTrees Forests and People (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2666-7193 • E-ISSN: 2666-7193
EditoraElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100986
OpenAlexW4413476036
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas76

Leaf litter decomposition mediates critical ecosystem nutrient cycling processes and plays a pivotal role in regulating nutrient dynamics processes in subtropical forests. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which mixed plantation leaf litter quality regulates decomposition under nitrogen (N) deposition remain poorly understood, particularly in subtropical forests experiencing chronic high nitrogen deposition. Herein, we conducted a one-year field litterbag experiment in a mixed planation of Cunninghamia lanceolata and Phoebe bournei . Five levels of N addition: control (0 g N m 2 y −1 ), N1 (7 g N m 2 y −1 ), N2 (14 g N m 2 y −1 ), N3 (28 g N m 2 y −1 ), and N4 (56 g N m 2 y −1 ) were applied. N addition reduced the release rates of leaf litter carbon (C), N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). N addition accelerated cellulose degradation of P. bournei leaf litter during the early stage but inhibited it in the late stage, whereas cellulose degradation in C. lanceolata leaf litter was generally enhanced throughout the whole decomposition period. In contrast, lignin degradation was consistently inhibited by N addition during the decomposition process. The decomposition rate of two leaf litter was significantly reduced by N addition, with the strength of this effect being strongly dependent on the N addition rate. The control (CK) treatment exhibited higher decomposition rates compared to N addition. In addition, the decomposition rate of P. bournei leaf litter was faster than that of C. lanceolata leaf litter. The results were further revealed that N addition decreased decomposition rate indirectly by altering leaf litter stoichiometric ratios such as C: N, N: P, and lignin: N ratios. The research brings to light that the stoichiometric ratio of leaf litter should be considered a significant factor in regulating decomposition dynamics of leaf litter and nutrient cycling, particularly in the context of increasing N deposition intensification in subtropical forests

Agronomy · Biology · Botany · Cunninghamia · Ecosystem · Geography · Litter · Nitrogen · Plant litter · Chemistry · Ecology and Conservation Studies · Environmental Science · Forest, Soil, and Plant Ecology in China · Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics · Ecology · Forestry