Data from: Soil fauna trophic multifunctionality mediates the release of elements from decomposing typhoon generated leaf litter

Tropical cyclones (i.e., hurricanes, typhoons) cause large pulse fluxes of
leaves that have not undergone senescence (i.e., green litter) to forest
soils, with consequences for biogeochemical cycling. Energy and mineral
nutrient concentrations of green litter are higher than the naturally
senesced litter, likely affecting rates of decomposition and nutrient
release, as well as the structure and composition of detrital food webs,
but these effects have not been well quantified. During the typhoon
‘Hagubit’, we collected green and senesced litter from three common urban
greening species, and then conducted a 316 days field experiment to
evaluate substrate quality affected the trophic multifunctionality of soil
faunal communities, and ultimately elemental release from the decomposing
litter. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium
(Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were released at significantly higher rates from
green litter than senesced litter. Aluminum (Al), manganese (Mn), and iron
(Fe) displayed a net accumulation during litter decomposition, and the
immobilization of these elements was significantly higher in green than
senesced litter. Litter substrate chemistry directly affected the release
rates of elements, but its influence was stronger in decomposing senesced
litter compared to green litter. Detritivores dominated green and senesced
litter faunal communities relative to predators, omnivores, and
herbivores, and these distinct fauna functional groups showed
significantly positive correlation during decomposition, but soil fauna
trophic multifunctionality was significantly higher in green litter and
stimulated the release of elements.  These findings suggest that
typhoons dramatically alter the dynamics of nutrient release during litter
decomposition, and the influences are mediated in part by its substrate
quality and changes in soil fauna trophic multifunctionality, which has
significant implications for the magnitude and timing of soil nutrient
availability after typhoon disturbances.