Quantifying the factors affecting leaf litter decomposition across a tropical forest disturbance gradient

Deforestation and forest degradation are driving unprecedented declines in biodiversity across the tropics, and understanding the consequences of these changes for ecosystem functioning is essential for human well-being. Forest degradation and loss alter ecosystem functioning through changes in species composition and abiotic conditions. However, the consequences of these changes for heterospecific processes are often poorly understood. Leaf litter decomposition is a major source of atmospheric carbon and critical for carbon and nutrient cycling. Through a highly replicated litter-bag experiment (3360 bags), we quantified the effects of litter quality, decomposer functional diversity and seasonal precipitation regime on litter decomposition along a tropical disturbance gradient in SW China. In addition, using soil and litter from sites selected from across the disturbance gradient, we established replicated litter-bed treatments and exposed these to a gradient of simulated canopy cover ...

森林砍伐与森林退化正引发热带地区前所未有的生物多样性下降，明晰此类变化对生态系统功能的影响，对人类福祉至关重要。森林退化与丧失通过改变物种组成及非生物环境，进而改变生态系统功能。然而，此类变化对异种生态过程的影响，目前尚未得到充分认知。枯落叶分解（leaf litter decomposition）是大气碳库的重要来源，同时对碳循环与养分循环至关重要。本研究依托高度重复的枯落物袋实验（litter-bag experiment，共3360个袋体），量化了中国西南地区热带干扰梯度上，枯落物质量、分解者功能多样性以及季节性降水格局对枯落叶分解的调控效应。此外，本研究选取覆盖该干扰梯度的各样地土壤与枯落物，构建了重复的枯落物床处理组，并将其暴露于模拟冠层覆盖梯度下……