Decomposing litter and associated microbial activity responses to nitrogen deposition in two subtropical forests containing nitrogen-fixing or non-nitrogen-fixing tree species.

ABSTRACT: Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has caused concern due to its effects on litter decomposition in subtropical regions where N-fixing tree species are widespread. However, the effect of N deposition on litter decomposition in N-fixing plantations remains unclear. We investigated the effects of a 2-year N deposition treatment on litter decomposition, microbial activity, and nutrient release in two subtropical forests containing Alnus cremastogyne (AC, N-fixing) and Liquidambar formosana (LF, non-N-fixing). The decomposition rate in AC was faster than in LF when there was no experimental N deposition. In AC, the initial decomposition rate was faster when additional N was applied and was strongly linked to higher cellulose-degrading enzyme activities during the early decomposition stage. Ho

SUBMITTER: Zhou G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6113256 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature