Seasonal Pattern of Decomposition and N, P, and C Dynamics in Leaf litter in a Mongolian Oak Forest and a Korean Pine Plantation

Forests

Jaeeun Sohng³  Ah Reum Han³  Mi-Ae Jeong³  Yunmi Park¹  Byung Bae Park²  Pil Sun Park³ 

[1] Division of Special-purpose Trees, Korea Forest Research Institute, Suwon 441-847, Korea; E-Mail:;Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea; E-Mail:;Department of Forest Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Korea; E-Mails:

关键词: temperate deciduous forest;    mixed leaf litter effect;    soil nutrients;    leaf litter nutrients;    mineralization;   

DOI  :  10.3390/f5102561

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Distinct seasons and diverse tree species characterize temperate deciduous forests in NE Asia, but large areas of deciduous forests have been converted to conifer plantations. This study was conducted to understand the effects of seasons and tree species on leaf litter decomposition in a temperate forest. Using the litterbag method, the decomposition rate and nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon dynamics of Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis), and their mixed leaf litter were compared for 24 months in a Mongolian oak stand, an adjacent Korean pine plantation, and a Mongolian oak—Korean pine mixed stand. The decomposition rates of all the leaf litter types followed a pattern of distinct seasonal changes: most leaf litter decomposition occurred during the summer. Tree species was less influential on the leaf litter decomposition. The decomposition rates among different leaf litter types within the same stand were not significantly different, indicating no mixed litter effect. The immobilization of leaf litter N and P lasted for 14 months. Mongolian oak leaf litter and Korean pine leaf litter showed different N and P contents and dynamics during the decomposition, and soil P₂O₅ was highest in the Korean pine plantation, suggesting effects of plantation on soil nutrient budget.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.