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Title: Comparing intra- and inter-specific effects on litter decomposition in an old-field ecosystem

Abstract

Plant species can differ in the quantity and quality of leaf litter they produce, and many studies have examined whether plant species diversity affects leaf-litter decomposition and nutrient release. A growing number of studies have indicated that intra-specific variation within plant species can also affect key ecosystem processes. However, the relative importance of intra- versus inter-specific variation for the functioning of ecosystems remains poorly known. Here, we investigate the effects of intra-specific variation in a dominant old-field plant species, tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), and inter-specific variation among goldenrod species on litter quality, decomposition, and nitrogen (N) release. We found that the nutrient concentration of leaf litter varied among genotypes, which translated into 50% difference in decomposition rates. Variation among other goldenrod species in decomposition rate was more than twice that of genetic variation within S. altissima. Furthermore, by manipulating litterbags to contain 1, 3, 6, or 9 genotypes, we found that S. altissima genotype identity had much stronger effects than did genotypic diversity on leaf-litter quality, decomposition, and N release. Taken together, these results suggest that the order of ecological importance for controlling leaf-litter decomposition and N release dynamics is plant species identitygenotype identity>genotypic diversity.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. University of Tennessee
  2. ORNL
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1015054
DOE Contract Number:  
DE-AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Basic and Applied Ecology
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 10; Journal Issue: 6; Journal ID: ISSN 1439-1791
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ECOSYSTEMS; GENETICS; GENOTYPE; NITROGEN; NUTRIENTS; SPECIES DIVERSITY

Citation Formats

Crutsinger, Greg, Sanders, Dr Nathan James, and Classen, Aimee T. Comparing intra- and inter-specific effects on litter decomposition in an old-field ecosystem. United States: N. p., 2009. Web. doi:10.1016/j.baae.2008.10.011.
Crutsinger, Greg, Sanders, Dr Nathan James, & Classen, Aimee T. Comparing intra- and inter-specific effects on litter decomposition in an old-field ecosystem. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2008.10.011
Crutsinger, Greg, Sanders, Dr Nathan James, and Classen, Aimee T. 2009. "Comparing intra- and inter-specific effects on litter decomposition in an old-field ecosystem". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.baae.2008.10.011.
@article{osti_1015054,
title = {Comparing intra- and inter-specific effects on litter decomposition in an old-field ecosystem},
author = {Crutsinger, Greg and Sanders, Dr Nathan James and Classen, Aimee T},
abstractNote = {Plant species can differ in the quantity and quality of leaf litter they produce, and many studies have examined whether plant species diversity affects leaf-litter decomposition and nutrient release. A growing number of studies have indicated that intra-specific variation within plant species can also affect key ecosystem processes. However, the relative importance of intra- versus inter-specific variation for the functioning of ecosystems remains poorly known. Here, we investigate the effects of intra-specific variation in a dominant old-field plant species, tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima), and inter-specific variation among goldenrod species on litter quality, decomposition, and nitrogen (N) release. We found that the nutrient concentration of leaf litter varied among genotypes, which translated into 50% difference in decomposition rates. Variation among other goldenrod species in decomposition rate was more than twice that of genetic variation within S. altissima. Furthermore, by manipulating litterbags to contain 1, 3, 6, or 9 genotypes, we found that S. altissima genotype identity had much stronger effects than did genotypic diversity on leaf-litter quality, decomposition, and N release. Taken together, these results suggest that the order of ecological importance for controlling leaf-litter decomposition and N release dynamics is plant species identitygenotype identity>genotypic diversity.},
doi = {10.1016/j.baae.2008.10.011},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1015054}, journal = {Basic and Applied Ecology},
issn = {1439-1791},
number = 6,
volume = 10,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009},
month = {Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009}
}