Nutrient Release during Single and Mixed Leaf Litter Decomposition from Larix principis-rupprechtii and Other Tree Species on the Loess Plateau, China

摘要

Current-year leaf litter from Larix principis-rupprechtii and 10 other tree species planned for a mixed forest was collected on the Loess Plateau of China and placed in nylon mesh litterbags singly or mixed according to set ratios and then buried in humus soil from a tree-free waste grassland for a 345-d incubation under constant temperature (20~25°C) and humidity (50% of the field water capacity). Results showed that during decomposition, macro-elements were generally more easily released than micro-elements. Release rates of most elements had no significant relationships with their own initial contents in the litter except for C and N, for which C had a negative > correlation and N had a positive correlation. According to the comprehensive impacts of all 10 elements released during mixed litter decomposition with L. principis-rupprechtii, Ulmus pumila and Pinus tabulaeformis obviously accelerated nutrient release, followed by Betula platyphylla; Platycladus orientalis and Robinia pseudoacacia obviously inhibited nutrient release, followed by Populus simonii. In conclusion, those tree species that accelerate nutrient release during mixed litter decomposition should be given a higher priority for selection for mixed-forestation with L. principis-rupprechtii.