A Decrease in Oak Litter Mass Changes Nutrient Dynamics in the Litter Layer of a Central Hardwood Forest

摘要

The authors hypothesized that a decüne in oak litter mass associated with a lower oak component will result in an increase in nutrient cycling rates in the litter layer. To test this hypothesis, the authors compared mass loss and C, N, P, and Ca dynamics in pure oak litter versus litter made of 48% oak plus five orher deciduous species in a hardwood forest in West Virginia. During 12 months of liner decomposition, pure oak litter decomposed more slowly, retained more C and N, immobilized more P, and released less Ca than mixed-species litter. These results indicate that a decline in oak will cause more rapid nutrient cycling in the litter layer of affected central hardwood stands. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]