Decomposition dynamics and ecological stoichiometry of Quercus acutissima and Pinus densiflora litter in the Grain to Green Program Area of northern China

Litter decomposition and ecological stoichiometry of nutrient release is an important part of material cycling and energy flow in forest ecosystems.In a study of the ecological stoichiometry and nutrient release during litter decomposition in a pine–oak forest ecosystem of the Grain to Green Program(GTGP)area of northern China,a typical pine and oak species(PDS:Pinus densiflora Sieb.,QAC:Quercus acutissima Carr.)were selected in the Taiyi Mountain study area.The ecological stoichiometry characteristics of carbon(C),nitrogen(N)and phosphorus(P)and litter decomposition dynamics were studied by field sampling and quantitative analyses.The results showed the following.(1)The decomposition dynamics of both litters was slow-fast-slow.The most important climatic factor affecting the litter decomposition rate from May to October was precipitation and temperature from November to April of the following year.(2)Throughout the 300-day study,in both litters,C of the two litters was released,N first accumulated and was then released,and P exhibited a release-accumulate-release pattern.(3)C:P was significantly higher than C:N and N:P(p<0.05);the C:N of PSD litter was higher than that of QAC(p<0.05),but the N:P of QAC litter was higher than that of PSD litter(p<0.05).The C:N of both litters was very high in the study area,indicating that the nutrient release ability during litter decomposition in the two typical pine–oak forest ecosystems was relatively weak;therefore,more attention should be paid to nitrogen-fixing species and mixed forests in the GTGP area of northern China.

Net Primary Productivity Increased on the Loess Plateau Following Implementation of the Grain to Green Program

The spatio-temporal characteristics of net primary productivity（NPP） since implementation of the Grain to Green Program（GTGP） are important for understanding ecological restoration of the Loess Plateau in China. Here, we conduct spatio-temporal analysis of NPP using MODIS datasets（500 m, 8-day intervals） and VPM（Vegetation Photosynthesis Model） from 2000–2015. We found that NPP on the Loess Plateau increased significantly from 2000 to 2015（p0.05）. Significant increases in NPP were observed in core areas of the GTGP, including northern Shaanxi and Lüliang Mountain in Shanxi. NPP in alluvial plains decreased due to urban expansion into cropland. Significant increases in NPP from 2006–2010 were located north of the area of change in 2000–2005. NPP increased across three vegetation types and four slope gradients. In hilly-gully regions prone to soil erosion, such as central and southeastern parts of the Loess Plateau, obvious vegetation restoration was detected.