Predicting litter decomposition rate for temperate forest tree species by the relative contribution of green leaf and litter traits in the Indian Himalayas region

• Published in: Ecological indicators 2020-12, Vol.119, p.106827, Article 106827
• Main Authors: Rawat, Monika, Arunachalam, Kusum, Arunachalam, Ayyandar, Alatalo, Juha M., Pandey, Rajiv
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Decomposition; Ecosystem process; Functional traits; Leaf traits; Litter; Specific leaf area
• ISSN: 1470-160X; 1872-7034
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106827

[Display omitted] •Cellulose, lignin and specific leaf area were the predictors of litter decomposition.•Cellulose 40%, lignin 36% and specific leaf area 8% contribution.•Green leaf and dead leaf traits both influenced the decomposition. We examined eight green leaf traits (leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf dry matter, leaf water content, leaf carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, and chlorophyll) and eight litter traits (cellulose, lignin, litter carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous, lignin: nitrogen, carbon: nitrogen and ash content) and the litter decomposition rates of 10 tree species from a temperate forest ecosystem. Amongst all green leaf and litter traits tested, cellulose content, lignin content and specific leaf area were identified as the best predictors of litter decomposition, with percentage contributions to litter decomposition of 40%, 36% and 8%, respectively. The results indicated that litter decomposition in the temperate forest ecosystem studied was not dependent solely on litter traits, as green leaf traits also contributed to nutrient cycling. Individual green leaf traits of living species and dead leaf characteristics both influenced the fate of leaves, affecting decomposition and nutrient and carbon cycling in the forest ecosystem. For a better overall understanding of the decomposition mechanisms operating in a temperate forest, both green leaf traits and litter traits thus need to be considered.