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Combination of nitrogen deposition and ultraviolet-B radiation decreased litter decomposition in subtropical China

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Abstract

Aims

The interactive effects of enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation on litter decomposition are still unknown. The aims are to test whether the interactive effects of the two environmental factors on litter decomposition and nutrient loss are stronger than that of each factor alone.

Methods

Experiment included five treatments: elevated UV-B radiation (UV-B, 10 % enhancement), low N addition (N1, 30 kg N ha−1 year−1), high N addition (N2, 60 kg N ha−1 year−1), the two combined treatments of the two factors (UV-B+N1 and UV-B+N2), and an unmanipulated control.

Results

The annual decomposition rates under combination of UV-B and N addition significantly decreased compared with that under UV-B and N additions for Pinus massoniana, and did also compared with that under UV-B but did not significantly differ with N additions for Cyclobalanopsis glauca. Negative effects of N additions alone on lignin degradation and P loss were partly offset but negative effect on N loss was further amplified when was combined with UV-B.

Conclusions

The combination of N deposition and UV-B radiation on litter decomposition and nutrient loss was significantly different from that of each factor alone without a general response pattern of decomposition, and was regulated by litter chemistry.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 31070440, 31270517), China QianRen Program, and Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (Y5090007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Nurturing Station for the State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin’an, 311300, China

    Xinzhang Song, Huiling Zhang & Hong Jiang

  2. Institute of Environmental Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Quebec at Montreal, Case Postale 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, H3C 3P8, Canada

    Changhui Peng

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  1. Xinzhang Song
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  2. Huiling Zhang
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  4. Changhui Peng
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Correspondence to Xinzhang Song.

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Responsible Editor: Alfonso Escudero.

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Song, X., Zhang, H., Jiang, H. et al. Combination of nitrogen deposition and ultraviolet-B radiation decreased litter decomposition in subtropical China. Plant Soil 380, 349–359 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-014-2092-y

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