Are leaf anatomical traits strong predictors of litter decomposability? Evidence from upper Andean tropical species along a forest successional gradient.

ABSTRACT: Litter decomposability has been linked to "soft" traits of green leaves, but relationships with "hard" traits associated with leaf anatomy remain unexplored. Examining anatomical traits within the leaf economic spectrum may enhance our understanding of litter decomposability. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between leaf anatomical traits and decomposability at both species and community levels along a successional gradient of upper Andean tropical forests in Colombia. We conducted a reciprocal translocation field experiment with 15 upper Andean species in 14 permanent plots around Bogotá, collecting 2520 litterbags at four times (3, 6, 12, 18 months). Using a multiple regression model based on foliar traits, we estimated decomposability for the remaining 48 species that compos

SUBMITTER: Castillo-Figueroa D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12187801 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature