Impacts of mixed litter decomposition from Robinia pseudoacacia and other tree species on C loss and nutrient release in the Loess Plateau of China

The productivity of Robinia pseudoacacia（R.p.） pure forest usually declines at the late growth stage,and reforming it into mixed forests could be a promising way to resolve this problem. When choosing a suitable tree species that can be mixed with R.p., the interspecific relationship is an important issue. Therefore, we gathered the autumn litter fall from R.p. and 10 other species from the Loess Plateau of China were mixed in dual species litterbags（R.p.＋each other species） and buried them in soil for a 345 days lab decay incubation. We measured the litter mass loss and nutrient contents to determine whether the nutrient release was affected by mixed species litter decomposition. The impacts of mixed litter decomposition on macro-elements release were more obvious than on micro-elements. The litters with similar substrate quality might show variable impacts on nutrients release in mixed decomposition. The C loss and release of nutrient was improved by descending order when R.p. litter was mixed with Hippophae rhamnoides, Ulmus pumila, Populus simonii, Larix principis-rupprechtii and Quercus liaotungensis（Q.l.）. But, except for Q.l., only the other species were recommended as suitable mix-plants for R.p. since promoting a high turnover of the nutrient in the litter compartment and a rapid availability for tree.

Impacts of plant secondary metabolites from conifer litter on the decomposition of Populus purdomii litter

A decomposition experiment of Populus purdomii litter,a commonly used afforestation species in the Qinling Mountains,China,was conducted.Water extracts of five conifer litters were used to treat P.purdomii litter and its soil.The P.purdomii litter was incubated at room temperature(20–25℃)and constant soil moisture for 6 months.During the decomposition period,the dynamics of litter mass and nutrient contents were detected to investigate the impacts of plant secondary metabolites.The results indicate that litter extracts of Pinus tabuliformis,Platycladus orientalis,Pinus armandii and Larix principisrupprechtii significantly inhibited the overall nutrient release of P.purdomii litter,while the last three types of litter extracts simultaneously inhibited its decomposition.Conversely,the litter extracts of Picea asperata significantly accelerated the overall nutrient release of P.purdomii.Generally,most of the conifer species,whose litter released terpenoids,phenolics,steroids,and aliphatic acids,will inhibit the decomposition and/or nutrient release from P.purdomii litter.Their negative effects on the decomposers and soil enzymatic activities indicates that planting diversity should be lower when mixed planted with P.purdomii.

The control of soil polarization in Populus simonii and Quercus liaotungensis forests by forage litter on the Loess Plateau,P. R. China

Soil polarization in pure forest stands affects the stability and sustainable development of the ecosystem. The most effective approaches to the prevention of soil polarization may be the use of forage litter as fertilizer or the direct establishment of tree-grass communities. We investigated monospecific plantations of Populus simonii and Quercus liaotungensis. Such plantations have been established throughout the Loess Plateau of China. A 120-day decomposition incubation experiment with forest humus soil mixed with 7 common leguminous forage litterspecies was performed to study the uses of forage litter in controlling soil polarization in pure forests. The addition of forage litter of Astragalus adsurgens, Lespedeza bicolor, and Vicia viUosa to the soil of pure P. simonii forest clearly improved the soil quality, these forage species are suitable for planting with P. simonii, whereas Melilotus officinalis, Medicago sativa, and Onobrychis viciifolia litter produced obvious deterioration, thus these forages should not be planted with P. simonii. Coronilla varia litter showed no significant influence. The addition of forage litter of M. sativa to the soil of pure Q. liaotungensis forest clearly improved the soil quality, and C. varia and V. villosa also yielded improvements but were slightly less effective than M. sativa litter, these forages are suitable to be planted with Q. liaotungensis. However, L. bicolor showed obvious deterioration, followed by O. viciifolia and A. adsurgens, and M. officinalis had no significant influence. These spe- cies should not be planted with Q. liaotungensis.

Effect of petroleum on decomposition of shrub–grass litters in soil in Northern Shaanxi of China

The impacts of petroleum contamination on the litter decomposition of shrub-grass land would directly influence nutrient cycling, and the stability and function of ecosystem. Ten common shrub and grass species from Yujiaping oil deposits were studied. Litters from these species were placed into litterbags and buried in petroleum-contaminated soil with 3levels of contamination（slight, moderate and serious pollution with petroleum concentrations of 15, 30 and 45 g/kg, respectively）. A decomposition experiment was then conducted in the lab to investigate the impacts of petroleum contamination on litter decomposition rates. Slight pollution did not inhibit the decomposition of any litters and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of Hippophae rhamnoides, Caragana korshinskii, Amorpha fruticosa, Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa, Periploca sepium, Medicago sativa and Bothriochloa ischaemum. Moderate pollution significantly inhibited litter decomposition of M. sativa,Coronilla varia, Artemisia vestita and Trrifolium repens and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of C. korshinskii, Z. jujuba var. spinosa and P. sepium. Serious pollution significantly inhibited the litter decomposition of H. rhamnoides, A. fruticosa, B. ischaemum and A. vestita and significantly promoted the litter decomposition of Z. jujuba var. spinosa, P.sepium and M. sativa. In addition, the impacts of petroleum contamination did not exhibit a uniform increase or decrease as petroleum concentration increased. Inhibitory effects of petroleum on litter decomposition may hinder the substance cycling and result in the degradation of plant communities in contaminated areas.