Leaf and root production, decomposition and carbon and nitrogen fluxes during stand development in tropical moist forests, north-east India

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In the present study we investigated the production and decomposition of leaves, branches and roots in two moist regenerating tropical forests (5 and 15 years old; RF-5 and RF-15 respectively) and a natural forest (NF) in north-east India. Total litter input increased during vegetation succession (759, 1089 and 1284 g m–2 year–1 in RF-5, RF-15 and NF respectively), whereas the contribution of soft litter decreased sharply. Decomposition over 450 days indicated significant seasonal (P < 0.001) patterns in mass loss of litter components, with greater rates during the wet period. Soil CO2 efflux was strongly seasonal. C stock loss followed patterns similar to those of mass loss, whereas N increased initially, followed by its gradual release. Rainfall explained 74–90% of the variability in mass loss rates. Concentrations of cellulose and N were significantly positively correlated with mass loss at an early stage of decomposition (r = 0.54–0.65, P < 0.05), whereas lignin : N and C : N ratios were negatively correlated with mass loss at later stages. Regenerating forests adapted ecosystem-level strategies that induced early leaf fall to reduce soil water loss, increase organic matter return to the soil and conserve N through immobilisation during the process of decomposition to speed up vegetation succession in the regenerating forest.

This publication has 48 references indexed in Scilit: