Decay Rate and Nutrient Dynamics during Litter Decomposition of Quercus acutissima and Quercus mysinaefolia

상수리나무와 가시나무 낙엽의 분해율 및 분해과정에 따른 영양염류 함량 변화

  • Won, Ho-Yeon (Dept. of Life Science, Kongju National University) ;
  • Oh, Kyung-Hwan (Dept. of Biology Education, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Pyo, Jae-Hoon (Dept. of Life Science, Kongju National University) ;
  • Mun, Hyeong-Tae (Dept. of Life Science, Kongju National University)
  • Received : 2011.10.21
  • Accepted : 2011.12.28
  • Published : 2012.02.28

Abstract

Decay rate and nutrient dynamics during leaf litter decomposition of deciduous Quercus acutissima and evergreen Quercus mysinaefolia were studied for 24 months from December 2008 to December 2010 in Gongju, Chungnam Province, Korea. Percent remaining weight of Q. acutissima and Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter after 24 months elapsed was $46.3{\pm}5.4%$ and $37.8{\pm}2.5%$, respectively. Decomposition of evergreen Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter was significantly faster than that of deciduous Quercus acutissima leaf litter. Decay constant(k) of Q. acutissima and Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter after 24 months elapsed was 0.38 and 0.49, respectively. Initial C/N and C/P ratio of Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter was significantly lower than those of Q. acutissima leaf litter. Initial C/N and C/P ratio of Q. acutissima leaf litter was 46.8 and 270.9, respectively. After 24 months elapsed, C/N and C/P ratio of decomposing Q. acutissima leaf litter decreased to 22.5 and 104.2, respectively. Initial C/N and C/P ratio of Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter was 22.4 and 41.7, respectively. After 24 months elapsed, C/N and C/P ratio of decomposing Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter decreased to 16.7 and 89.7, respectively. Initial concentration of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in leaf litter was 8.31, 0.44, 4.18, 9.38, 1.37 mg/g in Q. acutissima, and 19.88, 2.73, 7.06, 8.24, 2.61 mg/g in Q. mysinaefolia, respectively. Initial concentration of N and P in Q. mysinaefolia leaf litter was significantly higher than those in Q. acutissima. After 24 month elapsed, remaining N, P, K, Ca and Mg were 100.91, 114.75, 32.99, 50.63, 15.51% in Q. acutissima, and 43.22, 11.35, 12.98, 82.22, 44.23% in Q. mysinaefolia, respectively. N and P in decomposing leaf litter was immobilized in Q. acutissima, and mineralized in Q. mysinaefolia.

상록활엽수인 가시나무와 낙엽활엽수인 상수리나무 낙엽의 분해율 및 분해과정에 따른 영양염류의 함량 변화를 파악하기 위해 2008년 12월 공주의 상수리나무군락에 낙엽주머니를 설치하고 2009년 3월부터 2010년 12월까지 3개월 간격으로 낙엽주머니를 수거하여 분해율, 분해상수(k), 그리고 분해과정에 따른 C/N비, C/P비의 변화와 영양염류의 동태를 조사하였다. 24개월경과 후 상수리나무 낙엽과 가시나무 낙엽의 잔존률은 각각 $46.3{\pm}5.4%$$37.8{\pm}2.5%$로 가시나무 낙엽의 분해가 상수리나무 낙엽의 분해보다 빠르게 진행되는 것으로 나타났다. 24개월경과 후 상수리나무 낙엽과 가시나무 낙엽의 분해상수(k)는 각각 0.38과 0.49로 가시나무 낙엽의 분해상수가 높게 나타났다. 상수리나무 낙엽의 분해과정에 따른 C/N. C/P 비율은 초기에 각각 46.8, 270.9 이었으나 24개월경과 후에는 각각 22.5와 104.2로 점차 감소하였으며, 가시나무 낙엽의 경우 초기 C/N, C/P 비율은 각각 22.4와 41.7로 나타났고, 24개월경과 후에는 각각 16.7와 89.9로 나타났다. 낙엽의 초기 N, P, K, Ca, Mg 함량은 상수리나무 낙엽에서 각각 8.31, 0.44, 4.18, 9.38, 1.37 mg/g, 가시나무 낙엽에서 각각 19.88, 2.73, 7.06, 8.24, 2.61 mg/g으로 가시나무 낙엽의 질소와 인의 함량이 상수리나무 낙엽에 비해 현저히 높았다. 24개월경과 후 N, P, K, Ca, Mg의 잔존률은 상수리나무 낙엽에서 각각 100.91, 114.75, 32.99, 50.63, 15.51% 이었고, 가시나무 낙엽에서 각각 43.22, 11.35, 12.98, 82.22, 44.23% 로 조사기간 동안에 상수리나무 낙엽에서는 질소와 인의 부동화가, 가시나무 낙엽에서는 질소와 인의 무기화가 진행되었다.

Keywords

References

  1. Aerts, R.(1995) The advantages of being evergreen. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 10: 402-407.
  2. Baker, T.T., B.G. Lockaby, W.H. Conner, C.E. Meier, J.A. Stanturf and M.K. Burke(2001) Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in four southern forested floodplain communities. J. American Soc. Soil Sci. 65: 1,334-1,347.
  3. Berg, B. and G. Agren(1984) Decomposition of needle litter and its organic chemical components: theory and field experiments. Long-term decomposition in a Scots pine forest III. Can. J. Bot. 62: 2,880-2,888.
  4. Berg, B., K. Hannus, T. Popoff, and O. Theander(1982) Changes in organic chemical components of needle litter during decomposition. In Long-term decomposition in a Scots pine forest. I. Can. J. Bot. 60: 1,310-1,319.
  5. Berg, B. and H. Staaf(1981) Leaching accumulation and release of nitrogen in decomposing forest litter. Eco. Bul. 33: 163-178.
  6. Berg, B., H. Staaf, and B. Wessen(1987) Decomposition and nutrient release in needle litter from nitrogen-fertilized Scats pine(Pinus sylvestris) stands. Sca. J. For. Res. 2: 399-415.
  7. Bockheim, J.G., E.A. Jepsen and D.M. Heisey(1991) Nutrient dynamics of decomposing leaf litter of four tree species on soil in northern Wisconsin. Can. J. For. Res. 21: 803-812.
  8. Bocock, K.L.(1964) Changes in the amount of dry matter, nitrogen, carbon and energy in decomposing woodland leaf litter in relation to the activities of soil fauna. Eco. 52: 273-284.
  9. Bray, J.R. and E. Gorham(1964) Litter production in forests of the world. Advance in Ecological Reserch 2: 101-157.
  10. Brinson, M.M.(1977) Decomposition and nutrient exchange of litter in an Alluvial swamp forest. Eco. 58(3): 601-609.
  11. Daubenmire, R.F.(1953) Nutrient content of leaf litter of trees in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Eco. 34(4): 786-793.
  12. Edmonds, R.L., and T.B. Thomas(1995) Decomposition and nutrient release from green needles of western hemlock and Pacific silver fir in an old-growth temperate rain forest, Olympic National Park, Washington. Can. J. For. Res. 25: 1049-1057.
  13. Fahey, T.J.(1983) Nutrient dynamics of aboveground detritus in lodgepole pine(Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia) ecosystems, southeastern Wyoming. Eco. Mon. 53(1): 51-72.
  14. Fogel, R. and Jr K. Cromack(1977) Effect of habitat and substrate quality on Donglas-fir litter decomposition in western Oregon. Can. J. Bot. 55: 1,632-1,640.
  15. Gosz, J.R., G.E. Likens and F.H. Bormann(1973) Nutrient release from decomposing leaf and branch litter in the Hubbard Brook Forest, New Hampshire. Eco. Mon. 43: 173-191.
  16. Jensen, H.L.(1929) On the influence of the carbon:nitrogen ratios of organic material on the mineralization of nitrogen. J. Agr. Sci. 19: 71-82.
  17. Kim, C.M. and N.K. Chang(1965) The decomposition rate of litter affecting the amount of mineral nutrients of forest soil in the Korea. Bull Eco. Soc Am Sep. 14pp.
  18. Kim, C.S., J.H. Lim, and J.H. Shin(2003) Nutrient dynamics in litterfall and decomposing leaf litter at the Kwangneung deciduous broad-leaved natural forest. Kor. J. Agr. For. Met. 5(2): 87-93.
  19. Klemmedson, J.O., C.E. Meier and R.E. Campbell(1985) Needle decomposition and nutrient release in ponderosa pine ecosystems. For. Sci. 31: 647-660.
  20. Kucera, C.L.(1959) Weathering characteristics of deciduous leaf litter. Eco. 40(3): 485-487.
  21. Laskowski, R., M. Niklinska, and M. Maryanski(1995) The dynamics of chemical elements in forest litter. Eco. 76(5): 1,393-1,406.
  22. Lee, E.K., J.H. Lim, C.S. Kim and Y.K. Kim(2006) Nutrient Dynamics in Decomposing Leaf Litter and Litter Production at the Long-Term Ecological Research Site in Mt. Gyebang. J. Ecol Field Biol 29(6): 585-591.
  23. Lee, J.Y.(1994) Litter decomposition, soil characteristics and cellulase activity in Quercus acutissima and Pinus rigida forest. M.S. thesis, Univ. of Kongju, Kongju, Korea, 5pp. (in Korean with English abstract)
  24. Lousier, J.D. and D. Parkinson(1978) Chemical element dynamics in decomposing leaf litter. Can. J. Bot. 56: 2,795-2,812.
  25. Melillo, J.M., J.D. Aber and J.F. Muratore(1982) Nitrogen and lignin control of hardwood leaf litter decomposition dynamics. Eco. 63: 621-626.
  26. Moretto, A.S., R.A. Distel and N.G. Didone(2001) Decomposition and nutrient dynamic of leaf litter and roots from palatable and unpalatable grasses in a semi-arid grassland. App. Soil Eco. 18(1): 31-37.
  27. Mun, H.T.(2009) Weight loss and nutrient dynamics during leaf litter decomposition of Quercus mongolica in Mt. Worak National Park. J Ecol Field Biol 32(2): 123-127.
  28. Mun,H.T. and H.T. Joo(1994) Litter Production and Decomposition in the Querces acutissima and Pinus rigida Forests. J. Eco. Field Bio. 17(3): 345-353.
  29. Namgung, J.(2010) Production and Nutrient cycling in the Quercus varialilis forest at Mt. Worak. Ph. D. thesis, Univ. of Kongju, Kongju, Korea., 58pp. (in Korean with English abstract)
  30. Namgung, J., A.R. Han, and H.T. Mun(2008) Weight loss and nutrient dynamics during leaf litter decomposition of Quercus variabilis and Pinus densiflora at Mt. Worak National Park. J Ecol Field Biol 31(4): 291-295.
  31. Olsen, C.(1932) Studies of nitrogen fixation: nitrogen fixation in the dead leaves of forest beds. Compt Rend Trav Lab Carlsberg. 19: 36
  32. Olson, J.S.(1963) Energy storage and the balance of producers and decomposers in ecological systems. Eco. 44: 321-331.
  33. Park, B.K. and I.S. Lee(1981) A Model for Litter Decomposition of the Forest Ecosystem in South Korea. J. Eco. Field Bio. 4(1-2): 38-51.
  34. Reiners, W.A. and N.M. Reiners(1970) Energy and nutrient dynamics of forest floors in three Minnesota forests. Eco. 58: 497-579.
  35. Schlesinger, W.H.(1985) Decomposition of chaparral shrub foliage. Eco. 66: 1,353-1,359.
  36. Seereeram, S. and P. Lavender(2003) Analysis of leaf litter to establish its suitability for compositing to produce a commercially saleable product. A Report Prepared for SWAP. Aqua Enviro., 18pp.
  37. Swift, M.J., O.W. Heal and J.M. Anderson(1979) Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Studies in Ecology Vol 5. Univ of California Press, Berkley and Los Angeles, 372pp.
  38. Taylor, B.R., D. Parkinson, and W.F.J. Parsons(1989) Nitrogen and lignin content as predictor of litter decay rates: A microcosm test. Eco. 70: 97-104.
  39. Xu, X., E. Hirata, T. Enoki and Y. Tokashiki(2004) Leaf litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics in a subtropical forest after typhoon disturbance. Plant Eco. 173: 161-170.
  40. Yoo, J.S.(1991) Weight loss and nutrient dynamics during litter decomposition of Pinus thunbergii and Castanea crenata. M.S. thesis, Univ. of Kongju, Kongju, Korea, 22pp. (in Korean with English abstract)