Thinning alters the early-decomposition rate and nutrient immobilization-release pattern of foliar litter in Mediterranean oak-pine mixed stands
Leaf litter decomposition is a major pathway for nutrient recycling and a chief factor controlling ecosystem primary productivity. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of forest thinning on the early-stage foliar decomposition rate and nutrient immobilization-release pattern in a mixed Quercus pyrenaica-Pinus pinaster forest growing in the western Mediterranean basin. Two thinning treatments, differing in the intensity of canopy reduction, were compared with a control (unthinned) situation. Oak leaves showed faster decomposition rates than pine needles in unthinned plots. Intense canopy reduction (40% of basal area removed) reduced decomposition rates in both species whereas intermediate reduction (25% of basal area removed) increased decomposition of needles to a rate similar to that of oak leaves. C and N transfer from N-rich to N-poor foliar litter was not detected, indicating a marginal role of canopy reduction in this process. A decoupling of the decomposition rate from immobilization-release pattern was found for mobile elements (K and Mg) at intermediate levels of canopy cover whereas Ca dynamics indicated that pine needles had not started the lignin-mediated degradation phase two years after incubation. We finally hypothesized that strong reductions of canopy cover in dry Mediterranean sites might have an aridification effect on litter decomposition. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
Main Authors: | Bravo-Oviedo, A., Ruiz-Peinado Gertrudix, Ricardo, Onrubia, R., del Río, M. |
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Format: | artículo biblioteca |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Elsevier
2017
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Subjects: | Foliar decomposition, Forest management, Mediterranean mixed forest, Litterbag, Plant-soil interaction, Species interaction, |
Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12792/4574 http://hdl.handle.net/10261/292433 |
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