Leaf litter decay rates differ between mycorrhizal groups in temperate, but not tropical, forests
Abstract
Whereas the primary controls on litter decomposition are well established, we lack a framework for predicting interspecific differences in litter decay within and across ecosystems. Given previous research linking tree mycorrhizal association with carbon and nutrient dynamics, we hypothesized that the two dominant mycorrhizal groups in forests – arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi – differ in litter decomposition rates. We compiled leaf litter chemistry and decay data for AM- and ECM-associating angiosperms and gymnosperms (> 200 species) from temperate and tropical/subtropical, and investigated relationships among decay rates, mycorrhizal association, phylogeny and climate. In temperate forests, AM litters decayed faster than ECM litters, with litter nitrogen and phylogeny best explaining variation in litter decay. In sub/tropical forests, we found no significant difference in litter decay rate between mycorrhizal groups, and variation in decay rates was best explained by litter phosphorus. Finally, our results suggest that knowledge of tree mycorrhizal association may improve predictions of species effects on ecosystem processes, particularly in temperate forests where AM and ECM species commonly co-occur, providing a predictive framework for linking litter quality, organic matter dynamics and nutrient acquisition in forests.
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC); National Science Foundation (NSF)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1612156
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0014374-1214.11.3201B; SC0016188; 1153401
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- New Phytologist
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 222; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 0028-646X
- Publisher:
- Wiley
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES; plant sciences; litter k; litter quality; mycorrhizal-associated nutrient economy; plant functional group; plant-soil feedbacks; species effects
Citation Formats
Keller, Adrienne B., and Phillips, Richard P. Leaf litter decay rates differ between mycorrhizal groups in temperate, but not tropical, forests. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1111/nph.15524.
Keller, Adrienne B., & Phillips, Richard P. Leaf litter decay rates differ between mycorrhizal groups in temperate, but not tropical, forests. United States. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15524
Keller, Adrienne B., and Phillips, Richard P. Tue .
"Leaf litter decay rates differ between mycorrhizal groups in temperate, but not tropical, forests". United States. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.15524. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1612156.
@article{osti_1612156,
title = {Leaf litter decay rates differ between mycorrhizal groups in temperate, but not tropical, forests},
author = {Keller, Adrienne B. and Phillips, Richard P.},
abstractNote = {Whereas the primary controls on litter decomposition are well established, we lack a framework for predicting interspecific differences in litter decay within and across ecosystems. Given previous research linking tree mycorrhizal association with carbon and nutrient dynamics, we hypothesized that the two dominant mycorrhizal groups in forests – arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi – differ in litter decomposition rates. We compiled leaf litter chemistry and decay data for AM- and ECM-associating angiosperms and gymnosperms (> 200 species) from temperate and tropical/subtropical, and investigated relationships among decay rates, mycorrhizal association, phylogeny and climate. In temperate forests, AM litters decayed faster than ECM litters, with litter nitrogen and phylogeny best explaining variation in litter decay. In sub/tropical forests, we found no significant difference in litter decay rate between mycorrhizal groups, and variation in decay rates was best explained by litter phosphorus. Finally, our results suggest that knowledge of tree mycorrhizal association may improve predictions of species effects on ecosystem processes, particularly in temperate forests where AM and ECM species commonly co-occur, providing a predictive framework for linking litter quality, organic matter dynamics and nutrient acquisition in forests.},
doi = {10.1111/nph.15524},
journal = {New Phytologist},
number = 1,
volume = 222,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 09 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Tue Oct 09 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}
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