Decomposition of Populus tremuloides leaf litter accelerated by addition of Alnus crispa litter

Authors

Barry R. Taylor
W.F.J. Parsons
D. Parkinson

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Canadian Journal of Forest Research

Volume

19

Issue

5

First Page

674

Last Page

679

Publication Date

1989

Abstract

Decomposition of a slow-decaying litter type is expected to be faster in the presence of a nutrient-rich, fast-decaying litter type, but this effect has never been conclusively demonstrated for deciduous leaves. In a Rocky Mountain aspen forest, we followed decomposition of leaf litter of trembling aspen (Populustremuloides), a relatively slow-decomposing, nutrient-poor species, and green alder (Alnuscrispa), a nutrient-rich, faster-decomposing species, as well as a mixture of the two, for 2 years. Mass losses over the first winter were greatest for aspen alone, probably as a result of loss of solubles, but the mass loss rate overall was lowest for aspen (k = −0.191/year) and greatest for alder (k = −0.251/year). Mass loss rate for mixed litter (k = −0.245/year) was much closer to the rate for alder than for aspen, demonstrating a marked acceleration of mass loss rates in the mixed-litter bags. At these rates, 95% mass loss would be achieved by aspen, alder, and mixed litter in 14.5, 11.5, and 11.6 years, respectively.

Recommended Citation

Taylor, Barry R.; Parsons, W. F. J.; Parkinson, D. 1989. Decomposition of Populus tremuloides leaf litter accelerated by addition of Alnus crispa litter. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 19 (5): 674-679.