Relative effect of litter and forest type on rate of decomposition

Rates of litter decomposition and metabolic rates of microbes were studied for 3 yr in four forest types at the E. N. Huyck Preserve on the Helderberg Plateau in eastern New York State. The four forests were floristically distinct, being dominated by beech (Fagus grandifolia), red pine (Pinus resino...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American midland naturalist 1993-01, Vol.129 (1), p.87-95
Main Authors: Elliott, W.M. (Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY), Elliott, N.B, Wyman, R.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions
BACTERIA
Biological and medical sciences
CHAMPIGNON
Chemical, physicochemical, biochemical and biological properties
Coniferous forests
Deciduous forests
DEGRADACION
DEGRADATION
ECOLOGIA FORESTAL
ECOLOGIE FORESTIERE
FLORA DEL SUELO
FLORE DU SOL
FOREST ECOLOGY
FOREST LITTER
Forest soils
Forests
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
FUNGI
Hardwood forests
HOJARASCA FORESTAL
HONGOS
LITIERE FORESTIERE
METABOLISM
METABOLISME
METABOLISMO
MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES
MICROORGANISME
MICROORGANISMOS
MICROORGANISMS
Mixed forests
NEW YORK
NUEVA YORK
Organic matter
Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils
Soil ecology
SOIL FLORA
Soil science
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Summary:Rates of litter decomposition and metabolic rates of microbes were studied for 3 yr in four forest types at the E. N. Huyck Preserve on the Helderberg Plateau in eastern New York State. The four forests were floristically distinct, being dominated by beech (Fagus grandifolia), red pine (Pinus resinosa), hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and mixed-hardwood (Acer saccharum and Quercus alba), respectively. Decomposition rates ranged from 0.12 g/yr/g for hemlock to 0.42 g/yr/g for mixed hardwood. To determine if these differences were a function of differences in litter type or the decomposer community, we performed a mixed litter bag experiment, in which each type of litter was placed in each forest type. Rate of decomposition was primarily a function of litter type although decomposer community and decomposer community/litter type interactions were also important. Metabolic rate of decomposers, as measured by their ability to convert C-14-glucose to C-14-CO2, corresponded to the rate at which they decomposed litter. Relative importance of bacteria and fungi to total metabolism also varied among forest types, with bacterial contribution ranging from a high of 42% in mixed hardwood to a low of 8% in hemlock.
ISSN:0003-0031
1938-4238
DOI:10.2307/2426438