[Litter decomposition of typical forests along an altitude gradient in Mt. Shennongjia, Hubei, China].
Based on the litterbag method, we explored the decomposition dynamics of the litter from the evergreen broad-leaved forests, the mixed evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests, and the deciduous broad-leaved forests along an altitude gradient in Mt. Shennongjia, Hubei, China. According to the decomposition rate, the decomposition of the litter could be divided into early stage (0-360 days) and later stage (361-720 days). With the increase of altitude, the mass loss rates of the litter from the three types of forests at the early stage were 2.62-4.08 times that of the later stage, the litter decomposition rates at the early stage were 2.71, 1.72 and 2.69 times of that at the later stage, respectively, and 95% decomposition of the litter needed 3.84, 4.54 and 4.16 years respectively. The decomposition rate at the later stage was significantly correlated with C/N, and the contents of N, hemicelluloses, cellulose and lignin.
Dong-Rong
DR
Pan
Xiao-Ni
XN
Liu
Guo-Zhen
GZ
Shen
Zong-Qiang
ZQ
Xie
Lu
L
Luo
Lei
L
Liu
D000531:Altitude; D002681:China; D065928:Forests; D018515:Plant Leaves; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014197:Trees
D012987:Soil