J. For. Sci., 2014, 60(12):500-510 | DOI: 10.17221/74/2014-JFS

Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, ArgentinaOriginal Paper

A. Moretto1,2, G.J. Martínez Pastur2
1 Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina
2 Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas, Ushuaia, Argentina

To achieve a fuller understanding of forest ecosystem functioning, it is necessary to know decomposition dynamics. The objective of this study was to quantify litter production, decomposition and mineralization in Nothofagus pumilio forests, in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, along an altitudinal gradient during a two-year period and relate them to microclimate conditions and soil properties. We did the research along an altitudinal sequence at 210, 330, 460 and 590 m a.s.l., where climate, soil properties and forest structure were characterized. Litterfall decreased with altitude, and it was highly related with leaf and reproductive organ production. Decomposition decreased with altitude, being associated with microclimate and soil properties rather than with other measured variables, such as leaf chemistry. Values of decomposition constant (k) were influenced by altitude and varied between seasons and years within a given altitude. Nitrogen content increased with altitude in the two-year period, while P content decreased. Decomposition rates allowed us to separate the forest stands according to altitudinal gradients, and their intrinsic abiotic characteristics, which could increase the understanding of the nutrient flux and dynamics in these austral forest ecosystems.

Keywords: litter; microclimate; nitrogen; phosphorus

Published: December 31, 2014  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Moretto A, Martínez Pastur GJ. Litterfall and leaf decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. J. For. Sci. 2014;60(12):500-510. doi: 10.17221/74/2014-JFS.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Adu-Bredu S., Yokoota T., Ogawa K., Hagihara A. (1997): Tree size dependence of litter production, and above-ground net production in a young hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) stand. Journal Forest Research, 2: 31-37. Go to original source...
    2. Aerts R., Chapin III F.S. (2000): The mineral nutrition of wild plants revisited: A re-evaluation of processes and patterns. Advances in Ecological Research, 30: 1-67. Go to original source...
    3. Aerts R. (2006): The freezer defrosting: global warming and litter decomposition rates in cold biomes. Journal of Ecology, 94: 713-724. Go to original source...
    4. Aerts R. (1997): Climate, leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems: a triangular relationship. Oikos, 79: 439-449. Go to original source...
    5. Agren G, Bosatta E. (1996): Quality: a bridge between theory and experiment in soil organic matter studies. Oikos, 76: 522-528. Go to original source...
    6. Bahamonde H.A., Peri P.L., Alvarez R., Barneix A., Moretto A., Martínez Pastur G. (2012): Litter decomposition and nutrients dynamics in Nothofagus antarctica forests under silvopastoral use in Southern Patagonia. Agroforest Systems, 84: 345-360. Go to original source...
    7. Ballini C., Bonin G. (1995): Nutrient cycling in some Ulex parviflorus Pourr. Scrubs. in Provence (Southeastern France). I. Nutrient supplies to the soil through litter and pluvioleachates. European Journal of Soil Biology, 30: 107-118.
    8. Barrera M., Frangi J., Richter L., Perdomo M., Pinedo L. (2000): Structural and functional changes in Nothofagus pumilio forest along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Journal of Vegetation Science, 11: 179-188. Go to original source...
    9. Berendse F., Bobbink R., Rouwenhorst G. (1989): A comparative study on nutrient cycling in wet heartland ecosystems. II. Litter decomposition ad nutrient mineralization. Oecologia 78: 338-348. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    10. Bitterlich W. (1984): The Relascope Idea: Relative Measurements in Forestry. London, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux: 242.
    11. Bocock K., Gilbert O., Capstick C., Twinn D., Waid J., Woodman M. (1960): Changes in leaf litter when placed on the surface of soils with contrasting humus types. I. Losses in dry weight of ok and ash leaf litter. Journal of Soil Science, 11: 1-9. Go to original source...
    12. Bray J., Gorham E. (1964): Litter production in forests of the world. Advances Ecology Research, 2: 101-157. Go to original source...
    13. Bray R., Kurtz L. (1945): Determination of total, organic and available forms of phosphorous in soils. Soil Science, 59: 39-45. Go to original source...
    14. Bremner J., Mulvaney C. (1982): Nitrogen total. In: Page A.L., Miller R.H., Keeney D.R. (eds): Methods of Soil Analysis. Part 2: Chemical and Microbiological Properties. Madison, American Society of Agronomy: 595-624. Go to original source...
    15. Burgos J. (1985): Clima del extremo sur de Sudamérica. Transecta botánica de la Patagonia Austral. [Climate of the southern tip of South America. Botanical Transect of Southern Patagonia.] CONICET (Argentina), Instituto de la Patagonia (Chile) y Royal Society (UK): 10-40.
    16. Caldentey J., Ibarra M., Hernández J. (2001): Litter fluxes and decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio stands in the region of Magallanes, Chile. Forest Ecology and Management, 148: 145-157. Go to original source...
    17. Colmet Daage F., Irisarri J., Lanciotti M. (1991): Suelos con aluminio activo, montmorillonita, clorita, ilita, vermiculita interestratificaciones regular o irregularmente. [Climate of the southern tip of South America. Botanical Transect of Southern Patagonia.] Bariloche, Convenio Franco-Argentino INTA ORSTOM: 133.
    18. Couteaux M., Bottner P., Berg B. (1995): Litter decomposition, climate and litter quality. Tree, 10: 63-66. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    19. Covarrubias R. (1994): Notes on the dynamics and decomposition of leaves in a Nothofagus pumilio forest. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 29: 253-266. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    20. Decker K., Boerner R. (2003): Elevation and vegetation influences on soil properties in Chilean Nothofagus forests. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 76: 371-381. Go to original source...
    21. Decker K., Boerner R. (2006): Mass loss and nutrient release from decomposing evergreen and deciduous Nothofagus litters from the Chilean Andes. Austral Ecology, 31: 1005-1015. Go to original source...
    22. Ferrari J., Sugita S. (1996): A spatially explicit model of leaf litter fall in hemlock-hardwood forests. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 26: 1905-1913. Go to original source...
    23. Frangi J., Richter L. (1994): Balances hídricos de bosques de Nothofagus de Tierra del Fuego. Revista Facultad Agronomía (UNLP), 70: 65-79.
    24. Frangi J., Barrera M., Richter L., Lugo A. (2005): Nutrient cycling in Nothofagus pumilio forests along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Forest Ecology and Management, 217: 80-94. Go to original source...
    25. Frangi J., Richter L., Barrera M., Aloggia M. (1997): Decomposition of Nothofagus fallen woody debris in forests of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 27: 1095-1102. Frederiksen P. (1988): Soils of Tierra del Fuego. A satellitebased land survey approach. Folia Geographica Danica, 18: 1-159. Go to original source...
    26. Gerding V., Thiers O. (2002): Caracterización de suelos bajo bosques de Nothofagus betuloides (Mirb) Blume, en Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 75: 819-833. Go to original source...
    27. Godagnone R., Irisarri J. (1990): Territorio nacional de la Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. [National territory of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and South Atlantic Islands.] In: Atlas de suelos de la República Argentina. Buenos Aires, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología, Agropecuaria-Centro de investigación de Recursos Naturales: 607-641.
    28. Godeas M., Arambarri A., Gamundi I., Spinedi H. (1985): Descomposición de la hojarasca en bosque de Lenga. [Litter Decomposition in Lenga forest.] Ciencia del Suelo, 3: 68-79.
    29. Hernandez M., Gallardo J., Santan Regina I. (1992): Dynamic of organic matter in forests subject to a mediterranean semi-arid climate in the Duero basin (Spain): litter production. Acta Oecologica, 13: 55-65.
    30. Hobbie S., Chapin III F. (1996): Winter regulation of tundra litter carbon and nitrogen dynamics. Biogeochemistry, 35: 327-338. Go to original source...
    31. Huber E., Wanek W., Gottfried M., Pauli H., Schweiger P. (2007): Shift in soil-plant nitrogen dynamics of an alpinenival ecotone. Plant and Soil, 301:65-76. Go to original source...
    32. Ibarra M., Caldentey J., Promis A. (2011): Descomposición de hojarasca en rodales de Nothofagus pumilio de la región de Magallanes. [Litter decomposition in Nothofagus pumilio stands in the region of Magallanes.] Bosque, 32: 227 - 233. Go to original source...
    33. Jarvis S., Stockdale E., Shepherd M., Powlson D. (1996): Nitrogen mineralization in temperate agricultural soils: processes ad measurement. Advances in Agronomy, 57: 188-235. Go to original source...
    34. Kelly D. (1994): The evolutionary ecology of mast seeding. Trends Ecology and Evolution, 9, 465-470. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    35. Kelly D., Harrison A., Lee W, Payton I., Wilson P., Schauber E. (2000): Predator satiation and extreme mast seeding in 11 species of Chionochloa (Poaceae). Oikos, 90: 477-88 Go to original source...
    36. Kelly D., Sork V. (2002): Mast seeding in perennial plants: why, how, where? Annals Review Ecology and Systems, 33: 427-47. Go to original source...
    37. Koenig W., Knops J. (2000): Patterns of annual seed production by northern hemisphere trees: a global perspective. American Naturalist, 155: 59-69. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    38. Korner C. (2007): The use of altitude in ecological research. Trends Ecology and Evolution, 11: 569-574 Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    39. Kubin E. (1983): Nutrient in the soil, ground vegetation and tree layer in an old spruce forest in Northern Finland. Annals Botany Fennici, 20: 361-390.
    40. Kurka A., Starr M., Heikinheimo M., SalkinojaSalonen M. (2000): Decomposition of cellulose strips in relation to climate, litterfall nitrogen, phosphorus and C/N ratio in natural boreal forests. Plan and Soil, 219: 91-101. Go to original source...
    41. Lebret M., Nys C., Forgeard F. (2001): Litter production in an Atlantic beech (Fagus sylvatica L) time sequence. Annals of Forest Science, 58: 755-768 Go to original source...
    42. Lowman M. (2001): Litterfall and leaf decay in three australian rainforest formations. Journal of Ecology, 76: 451-465. Go to original source...
    43. Martín A., Gallardo J., Santa Regina I. (1997): Longterm decomposition process of leaf litter from Quercus pyrenaica forests across a rainfall gradient. Annals of Forest Science, 54: 191-202. Go to original source...
    44. Martínez Pastur G., Fernández C., Peri P. (1994): Variación de parámetros estructurales y de composición del sotobosque para bosques de Nothofagus pumilio en relación a gradientes ambientales indirectos. [Variation of structural parameters and understory composition for Nothofagus pumilio in relation to indirect environmental gradients.] Ciencias Forestales, 9: 11-22.
    45. Martínez Pastur G., Lencinas M., Cellini J., Diaz B., Peri P., Vukasovic R. (2002): Herramientas disponibles para la construcción de un modelo de producción para la lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) bajo manejo en un gradiente de calidad de sitio. [Tools available for the construction of a production model for lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) under management in a gradient of site quality] Bosque, 23: 69-80. Go to original source...
    46. Massaccesi G., Roig F., Martínez Pastur G., Barrera M. (2008): Growth patterns of Nothofagus pumilio trees along altitudinal gradients in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. Trees, Structure and Function, 22: 245-255. Go to original source...
    47. Monks A., Kelly D. (2006): Testing the resource-matching hypothesis in the mast seeding tree Nothofagus truncata (Fagaceae). Austral Ecology, 31: 366-375. Go to original source...
    48. Murphy K., Klopatek A., Klopatek C. (1998): The effects of litter quality and climate on decomposition along elevation gradient. Ecological Application, 8: 1061-1071. Go to original source...
    49. Normamand S., Treier U., Randin C., Vittoz P., Guisan A. (2009): Importance of abiotic stress as a range-limit determinant for European plants: insights from species responses to climatic gradients. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 18: 437-449. Go to original source...
    50. Novóa Muñoz J., Pontevedra Pombal X., Moretto A., Martínez Cortizas A., García Rodeja Ganoso E. (2007): Caracterización geoquímica de suelos forestales de Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) en un gradiente altitudinal en Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. [Geochemical characterization of forest soils in Nothofagus pumilio (lenga) along an altitudinal gradient in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.] In: Bellinfante N., Jordan A. (eds): Tendencias Actuales de la Ciencia del Suelo. Sevilla, Universidad de Sevilla: 689-696.
    51. Olsen S., Dean L. (1965): Phosphorus. In: Black C.A. (ed.): Methods of Soil Analysis. Madison, ASA: 1044-1047. Go to original source...
    52. Olson J. (1963): Energy storage and the balance of producers and decomposers in ecological systems. Ecology, 44: 322-331. Go to original source...
    53. Pastor J., Post W. (1986): Influence of climate, soil moisture, and succession on forest carbon and nitrogen cycles. Biogeochemistry, 2: 3-27. Go to original source...
    54. Peña S., Moretto A., Pontevedra-Pombal X., Oro N., García-Rodeja Gayoso E., Escobar J., Nóvoa-Muñoz J. (2013):Trends in nutrient reservoirs stored in uppermost soil horizons of subantarctic forests differing in their structure. Agroforestry Systems, 87: 1273-1281. Go to original source...
    55. Peroyvind N. (1990): Inversion characteristics in a valley. Northern Norway Geografiska Annaler, Series A - Physical Geography, 72: 157-166. Go to original source...
    56. Romanyà J., Fons J., Sauras-Yera T., Gutiérrez E., Vallejo V. (2005): Soil-plant relationships and tree distribution in old growth Nothofagus betuloides and Nothofagus pumilio forests of Tierra del Fuego. Geoderma, 124: 69-180. Go to original source...
    57. Santa Regina I., Tarazona T. (2001): Nutrient pools to the soil through organic matter and throughfall Ander a Scots pine plantation in the Sierra de la Demanda, Spain. European Journal of Soil Biology, 37: 125-133. Go to original source...
    58. Santa Regina I., Rapp M., Martín A., Gallardo J. (1997): Nutrient release dynamics in decomposing leaf litter in two Mediterraneum deciduous oak species. Annals of Forest Science, 54: 740-747. Go to original source...
    59. Stump L., Binkley D. (1993): Relationships between litter quality and nitrogen availability in Rocky Mountain forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 23: 492-502. Go to original source...
    60. Suberkropp K., Godshalk G., Klug M. (1976): Changes in the chemical composition of leaves during processing in a woodland stream. Ecology, 57: 720-727. Go to original source...
    61. Sundqvist M.K., Giesler R., Graae B.J., Wallander H., Fogelberg E. (2011): Interactive effects of vegetation type and elevation on aboveground and belowground properties in a subarctic tundra. Oikos, 120: 128-142. Go to original source...
    62. Swift M., Heal O., Anderson J. (1979): Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems. Berkeley, University of California Press: 371. Go to original source...
    63. Taylor B., Parkinson D. (1988): Does repeated wetting and drying accelerate decay of leaf litter? Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 20: 647-656. Go to original source...
    64. Tuhkanen S. (1992): The climate of Tierra del Fuego, from a vegetation geographical point of view and its ecoclimatic counterparts elsewhere. Acta Botanica Fennica, 145: 1-64.
    65. van Cleve K., Yarie J., Ericsson R., Dyrness C. (1993): Nitrogen mineralization and nitrification in successional ecosystems on the Tannana River floodplain, interior Alaska. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 23: 970-978. Go to original source...
    66. van Vuuren M., Berrendees F., de Visser W. (1993): Species and sites differences in the decomposition of litter and roots from wet heathlands. Canadian Journal of Botany, 71: 167-173. Go to original source...
    67. Vogt K., Grier C., Vogt D. (1986): Production, turnover, and nutrient dynamics of above- and belowground detritus of world forests. Advances Ecology Research, 15: 303-377. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content