Dataset Information

Schrenk spruce leaf litter decomposition varies with snow depth in the Tianshan Mountains.

ABSTRACT: Seasonal snowfall, a sensitive climate factor and the main form of precipitation in arid areas, is important for forest material circulation and surface processes and profoundly impacts litter decomposition and element turnover. However, how the thickness and duration of snow cover affect litter decomposition and element release remain unclear. Thus, to understand the effects of snow on litter decomposition, fiber degradation and their relationships with soil properties, a field litterbag experiment was conducted under no, thin, medium, and thick snow cover in a Schrenk spruce (Picea schrenkiana) forest gap in the Tianshan Mountains. The snow cover period exhibited markedly lower rates of decomposition than the snow-free period. The litter lignin, cellulose and N concentrations in the pregrowing season and middle growing season were significantly higher than those in the deep-freeze period, and the litter C and P concentrations were significantly higher during the onset of the freeze-thaw period, deep-freeze period and thaw period than in the late growing season. The litter cellulose, C and N concentrations were significantly higher under thick snow cover than under no snow cover in most stages. Moreover, the correlations among litter mass, cellulose, lignin/cellulose and soil bulk density varied with snow cover depth. The temporal variations and snow cover depth affected the decomposition process significantly. The former affected lignin, cellulose and P, and the latter affected cellulose, C and N and changed the litter-soil properties relationship. These differences provide references for understanding how winter conditions affect material cycling and other ecological processes under climate change.

SUBMITTER: Gong L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7658357 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Schrenk spruce leaf litter decomposition varies with snow depth in the Tianshan Mountains.

Gong Lu L Chen Xin X Zhang Xueni X Yang Xiaodong X Cai Yanjiang Y

Scientific reports 20201111 1

Seasonal snowfall, a sensitive climate factor and the main form of precipitation in arid areas, is important for forest material circulation and surface processes and profoundly impacts litter decomposition and element turnover. However, how the thickness and duration of snow cover affect litter decomposition and element release remain unclear. Thus, to understand the effects of snow on litter decomposition, fiber degradation and their relationships with soil properties, a field litterbag experi ...[more]

PMID: 33177573

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Project description:Fine roots are essential for water and nutrient uptake in plants, but little is known about the variation in fine root traits and the underlying mechanisms that drive it. Understanding the responses of fine root function traits to changing environmental conditions and the role of fine root traits as drivers of forest ecosystem processes are critical for informing physiological and ecological theory as well as ecosystem management. We measured morphological and physiological traits of fine roots from six soil layers and three diameter classes in Schrenk's spruce (Picea shrenkiana) forests of the Tianshan mountains, China. We found significant effects of nitrogen addition on these morphological and physiological traits, which varied by soil layer and root diameter. Specifically, specific root length (SRL) was higher in medium N addition group (N2) than in control group (N0). Specific root area (SRA) was higher in the control group (N0) than fertilized groups (N1, N2 and N3). Root tissue density (RTD) was higher in low N addition group (N1) than in the other group. Root dry matter content had no significant difference among four treatment groups. SRL, SRA, and RTD of fine roots in different diameter classes were all significantly different between high N addition (N3) and the control (N0) groups. The physiological characteristics of fine roots showed that soluble sugar (SS), fine root vitality (FRV), and tissue water content (TWC) in different soil layers were higher in the control group than in the fertilized groups. While soluble protein (SP), malondialdehyde (MDA) and free proline (FP) were lower in the control group (N0) than in the fertilized groups. In addition, SS, FRV, SP, TWC, FP, and MDA in all N addition treatments groups were significantly different from the control group. Fine root morphological traits were closely related to physiological traits, and added nitrogen inputs change these correlations. Our study confirms that nitrogen addition has specific effects on the morphological and physiological traits of fine roots of Schrenk's spruce, and the effects of N addition vary according to the amount added.

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Dataset Information

Schrenk spruce leaf litter decomposition varies with snow depth in the Tianshan Mountains.

Publications

Schrenk spruce leaf litter decomposition varies with snow depth in the Tianshan Mountains.

Similar Datasets

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