Key factors of forest litter decomposition and research progress

Abstract

Abstract: This paper reviews the research advance in litter decomposition of forest ecosystem,with special attention to nutrient processes and the factors regulating the decomposition.Traditionally,litter decomposition has been studied on the background of nutrient cycle in forest ecosystem.But modern work is associated with the carbon balance of terrestrial ecosystem on the background of global change.Lots of documents have addressed such factors regulating the decomposition as litter quality,biological contribution and physical factors.Nutrient release from the litter is related to the stage of decomposition.About 2 years or 50% of decay are often the time when litter begins to release nutrients for many litter types,while during the initial period,decomposition often results in immobilization of nutrient from the environment.This occurs mainly for N and P,but not for metal elements.Litter quality is the key factor governing the nutrient release,with which C/N ratio is highly correlated.Litter quality is also a key factor determining the decomposition rate.Litter of high nutrient content (especially of N and P) decomposes fast.This quality controlled process mainly happens in the initial stage of decomposition.Some organic components such as lignin and cellulose in litter are also important factors governing the decomposition.Lignin/N,lignin/P and other ratios of recalcitrant substance to inorganic nutrient are widely used indicators of litter decomposability.Biological and physical-chemical factors contribute to the litter decomposition.Reference data of contribution are 7.2% (only physical-chemical),8% (only microbiological) and 14.2% (only soil animals) in a total decomposition of 29.4%.Litter quality results in the difference of soil fauna and microbes,which in return influences the decomposition rate.Abundance of soil fauna and microbes as a result of better quality of broadleaf litter accounts for the accelerated decomposition of pine needles when they are mixed together.Rise of CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere enhances the primary productivity of forest ecosystem,but the quality of litter decrease,as a result,with higher C/N.Lower quality litter decomposes more slowly.High CO₂ seems no direct impact on the decomposition.In general,high CO₂ as a consequence of global change is expected to strengthen the role of soil as a sink of carbon.However,more investigation is needed in this context.

Key words: Puccinillia chinampoensis, Module, Biomass, Model

CLC Number:

Q148

LI Zhi'an, ZOU Bi, DING Yongzhen, CAO Yusong. Key factors of forest litter decomposition and research progress[J]. cje, 2004, (6): 77-83.

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