Intrinsic nutrients and defensive compounds drive coarse woody debris decay in five dominant subtropical tree species, China.

ABSTRACT: Coarse woody debris (CWD) is crucial for carbon and nutrient cycling in forest ecosystems, with decomposition rates influenced by species-specific wood traits. This five-year study in a subtropical Chinese forest evaluated the CWD decomposition of five dominant species. Results showed that broadleaved species decomposed fastest (k = 0.230 years^-1), followed by moso bamboo (0.168 years^-1), and conifers slowest (0.022 years^-1). Fast-decaying species were characterized by high hemicellulose, cellulose, and phosphorus (P) content, with rapid P release within the first decay year and nitrogen (N) accumulation over time. Tannin initially inhibited decay in fast-decaying species, but defensive compounds (tannins and phenolics) showed no sustained effect on decompo

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12270689 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature