[Effect of UV-B radiation on release of nitrogen and phosphorus from leaf litter in subtropical region in China]

Huan Jing Ke Xue. 2012 Feb;33(2):545-50.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

The release of nitrogen and phosphorus from leaf litter of six representative species, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Pinus massoniana, Schima superba, Cinnamanun camphora, Cyclobalanopsis glauca and Castanopsis eyeri, was investigated with litterbag method under ambient and reduced UV-B radiation (22.1% below ambient) treatments in subtropical region. The results showed that, the N dynamics exhibited three patterns: immobilization, mineralization-immobilization and mineralization-immobilization-mineralization. P dynamics also exhibited three different patterns: mineralization, immobilization-mineralization-immobilization and no large change. Compared with ambient treatment, the reduced treatment significantly delayed the N release from C. eyeri and P release from both C. glanca and C. eyeri (P<0.05), but significantly stimulated P release from C. camphora (P<0.05). The initial N contents and C: N ratios can not account for the N dynamics during leaf litter decomposition. The C: P ratios can partly explain the P dynamics during decomposition. The more works need to be done to better understand the role of UV-B radiation in the forest ecosystem in humid subtropical China under global environment change.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Ecosystem
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Nitrogen / analysis
  • Nitrogen / metabolism*
  • Phosphorus / analysis
  • Phosphorus / metabolism*
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • Plant Leaves / radiation effects*
  • Trees / metabolism*
  • Trees / radiation effects
  • Tropical Climate
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Phosphorus
  • Nitrogen