title: A closeup study of early beech litter decomposition: potential drivers and microbial interactions on a changing substrate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Litter decomposition and subsequent nutrient release play a major role in forest carbon and nutrient cycling. To elucidate how soluble or bulk nutrient ratios affect the decomposition process of beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.) litter, we conducted a microcosm experiment over an 8 week period. Specifically, we investigated leaf-litter from four Austrian forested sites, which varied in elemental composition (C:N:P ratio). Our aim was to gain a mechanistic understanding of early decomposition processes and to determine microbial community changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured initial litter chemistry, microbial activity in terms of respiration (CO2), litter mass loss, microbial biomass C and N (Cmicand Nmic), non purgeable organic carbon (NPOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), NH4+, NO3-and microbial community composition (phospholipid fatty acids - PLFAs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the beginning of the experiment microbial biomass increased and pools of inorganic nitrogen (N) decreased, followed by an increase in fungal PLFAs. Sites higher in NPOC:TDN (C:N of non purgeable organic C and total dissolved N), K and Mn showed higher respiration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The C:N ratio of the dissolved pool, rather than the quantity of N, was the major driver of decomposition rates. We saw dynamic changes in the microbial community from the beginning through the termination of the experiment.
authors.affiliation: BFW - Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape, Seckendorff-Gudent Weg 8, 1131 Vienna, Austria ; Institute for Water Quality, Resources and Waste Management, Vienna University of Technology, Karlsplatz 13/226, 1040 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brandstätter
authors.affiliation: Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Keiblinger
authors.affiliation: CHECO - Institute of Chemical Ecology and Ecosystem Research, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wanek
authors.affiliation: Institute of Soil Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zechmeister-Boltenstern
keywords: Leaf litter decomposition; Microbial biomass; Microbial community structure analysis; Microbial respiration; Microcosm
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