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Driving Factors Behind Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release at Temperate Forest Edges

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Abstract

Forest edges have become important features in landscapes worldwide. Edges are exposed to a different microclimate and higher atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition compared to forest interiors. It is, however, unclear how microclimate and elevated N deposition affect nutrient cycling at forest edges. We studied litter decomposition and release of N, phosphorus (P), total cations (TC) and C/N ratios during 18 months via the litterbag technique along edge-to-interior transects in two oak (Quercus robur L.) and two pine (Pinus nigra ssp. laricio Maire and ssp. nigra Arnold) stands in Belgium. Furthermore, the roles of edge conditions (microclimate, atmospheric deposition, soil fauna and soil physicochemical conditions), litter quality and edge decomposer community were investigated as underlying driving factors for litter decomposition. Litter of edge and interior was interchanged (focusing on the influence of edge conditions and litter quality) and placed in open-top chamber (OTC), which create an edge (warmer) microclimate. As the decomposer macrofauna was more abundant at the edge than in the interior, the OTCs were used to isolate the effects of warming versus soil fauna. Oak litter at the edge lost 87 and 37% more mass than litter in the interior. We demonstrated an edge effect on litter decomposition and nutrient release, caused by an interplay of edge conditions (atmospheric deposition of N and TC, soil pH and C/N ratio), litter quality and soil fauna. Consequently, edge effects must be accounted for when quantifying ecosystem processes, such as litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in fragmented landscapes.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO, project G046413N). P.D.S. holds a doctoral fellowship of the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO). We would like to thank Luc Willems and Greet De Bruyn for the chemical analyses of all litter samples. Furthermore, we would like to thank Kris Ceunen, Safaa Wasof and Matthias Minnebo for their help in the field.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest and Nature Lab, Department of Forest and Water Management, Ghent University, Geraardsbergsesteenweg 267, 9090, Melle-Gontrode, East-Flanders, Belgium

    Elyn Remy, Lotte Van Nevel, Pallieter De Smedt & Kris Verheyen

  2. Laboratory of Environmental and Urban Ecology, Department of Bioscience Engineering, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium

    Elyn Remy & Karen Wuyts

  3. Isotope Bioscience Laboratory -ISOFYS, Ghent University, Coupure Links 365, 9000, Ghent, Belgium

    Elyn Remy & Pascal Boeckx

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  1. Elyn Remy
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  2. Karen Wuyts
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  3. Lotte Van Nevel
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  4. Pallieter De Smedt
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Correspondence to Elyn Remy.

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ER performed the research, analysed the data and wrote the paper; KW, PB and KV designed the study; LVN and PDS contributed new methods and models.

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Remy, E., Wuyts, K., Van Nevel, L. et al. Driving Factors Behind Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release at Temperate Forest Edges. Ecosystems 21, 755–771 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-017-0182-4

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