ISSN:
1432-1939
Keywords:
Key words Litter quality
;
Lignin:N ratio
;
Nitrogen mineralization
;
Climate
;
Forests and grasslands
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract The feedback between plant litterfall and nutrient cycling processes plays a major role in the regulation of nutrient availability and net primary production in terrestrial ecosystems. While several studies have examined site-specific feedbacks between litter chemistry and nitrogen (N) availability, little is known about the interaction between climate, litter chemistry, and N availability across different ecosystems. We assembled data from several studies spanning a wide range of vegetation, soils, and climatic regimes to examine the relationship between aboveground litter chemistry and annual net N mineralization. Net N mineralization declined strongly and non-linearly as the litter lignin:N ratio increased in forest ecosystems (r 2 = 0.74, P 〈 0.01). Net N mineralization decreased linearly as litter lignin concentration increased, but the relationship was significant (r 2 = 0.63, P 〈 0.01) only for tree species. Litterfall quantity, N concentration, and N content correlated poorly with net N mineralization across this range of sites (r 2 〈 0.03, P = 0.17–0.26). The relationship between the litter lignin:N ratio and net N mineralization from forest floor and mineral soil was similar. The litter lignin:N ratio explained more of the variation in net N mineralization than climatic factors over a wide range of forest age classes, suggesting that litter quality (lignin:N ratio) may exert more than a proximal control over net N mineralization by influencing soil organic matter quality throughout the soil profile independent of climate.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004420050219
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