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Endogenous versus exogenous nutrient affects C, N, and P dynamics in decomposing litters in mid-subtropical forests of China

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Ecological Research

Abstract

The effect of nutrient availability on litter decomposition has been a major focus of global change ecology. The relative impacts of endogenous (litter) and exogenous (soil) nutrient availability remain unclear. We studied the nutrient dynamics of decomposition in litter from two species with contrasting litter nutrient contents and stoichiometry: Pinus massoniana and Castanopsis sclerophylla. During a 540-day field incubation, we manipulated exogenous nutrient levels by adding microbially available C (+C), N (+N), P (+P), and all three (+CNP) at 90-day intervals. Relative to the no-nutrient control (CK), nutrient additions decreased organic C retention in C. sclerophylla, with the greatest effect observed in +CNP. Nitrogen content in P. massoniana litter similarly increased with nutrient addition, particularly +P and +CNP. The P addition treatments also increased P content in the litter of both species. Nitrogen content in C. sclerophylla and organic C content in P. massoniana were unaffected by nutrient additions. The C/N and C/P ratios in decomposing C. sclerophylla litter were significantly lower in the CK treatment, while those of P. massoniana litter were influenced by the interaction of nutrient addition and decomposition time. Increased availability of C, N, and P individually and collectively alters nutrient release dynamics in decomposing foliar litter. Litter quality, as determined by source species, is a key determinant of the impact of exogenous nutrient inputs. A stronger effect of P addition than N addition indicates a relatively N-rich and P-poor ecosystem.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2012CB416903) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (30960311 and 31160107). We thank Xiao-Jing Gong, Ze-Xia Zhao, Hui-Cai Guo and Wen Ren for their field work and soil analyses and Drs. De-Hui Zeng, Dali Guo and David Duncan for manuscript improvement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Plant Resource, College of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Nanchang University, No. 999, Xuefuda Road, Honggutan New District, Nanchang, 330031, Jiangxi, China

    Fu-Sheng Chen & Xue Feng

  2. Department of Soil Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA

    Chao Liang

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  1. Fu-Sheng Chen
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  2. Xue Feng
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  3. Chao Liang
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Correspondence to Fu-Sheng Chen.

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Chen, FS., Feng, X. & Liang, C. Endogenous versus exogenous nutrient affects C, N, and P dynamics in decomposing litters in mid-subtropical forests of China. Ecol Res 27, 923–932 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-012-0970-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-012-0970-4

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