Age-related decomposition of Quercus mongolica branches

作者：Chae Hee Myung; Cha Sangsub; Lee Sang Hoon; Choi Moon Jong; Shim Jae Kuk^*

来源：Plant Ecology, 2016, 217(8): 945-957.

DOI：10.1007/s11258-016-0620-y

• Branch age
• Wood decomposition
• Chemical composition
• Nitrogen and lignin
• Quercus mongolica

Litter decomposition is a critical process for the maintenance of terrestrial ecosystems. Although large quantities of organic matter and nutrients are supplied by branch litter, its decomposition has received little attention. In this study, we focused on Quercus mongolica, one of the most common temperate deciduous woody species in the Northern Hemisphere, to investigate the age-related decomposition rate of branches. Branches of different age classes (2, 4, 7, 10, and 13 years), downed after a summer windstorm, were collected, and mass loss was measured over 24 months using the litterbag method. Litterbag samples were retrieved every 4 months and analyzed for dry weight, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), lignin, and cellulose concentration, and also two litter quality indices (C/N and lignin/N) were calculated. Mass loss by decomposition was significantly faster in 2-year-old branches (34.78 %) than in 13-year-old branches (25.71 %). Branch decomposition showed a negative relationship with the initial C concentration, C/N, and lignin/N, but a positive relationship with the initial lignin and N concentrations. The decomposition rate differed significantly between different branch age classes and initial litter qualities and was strongly influenced by the initial N concentration and C/N. Overall, the results showed that total N and C/N might be the key factors in the decomposition of Q. mongolica woody materials, and they could be used as predictive indices of branch decomposition in future studies.

• 出版日期2016-8