Decomposition and nutrient dynamics responses of plant litter to interactive effects of flooding and salinity in Yellow River Delta wetland in northeastern China. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhai, Jiexiu; Anderson, James T.; Yan, Guoxin; Cong, Ling; Wu, Yanan; Dai, Liyi; Liu, Jiakai; Zhang, Zhenming
• Is Part Of: Ecological indicators. Volume 120(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Litter decomposition rate -- Estuarine wetland -- Salinity -- Inundation -- Litter quality; Environmental monitoring -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environmental impact analysis -- Periodicals; Environmental risk assessment -- Periodicals; Sustainable development -- Periodicals; 333.71405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106943
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1470-160X

Abstract

Highlights: Decomposition rates were measured among different salinity and inundation conditions. Suaeda glauca decomposed faster than Phragmites australis in Yellow River Delta wetland. Faster litter decomposition rate occurred in inundation environment. The combined effect of salinity and inundation can significantly accelerate S. glauca litter decomposition rate. Environment parameters and litter quality can interact and in turn affect the decomposition rate during the decay process. Abstract: The main factors controlling plant litter decomposition rates are litter quality and environmental factors. We investigated how different salinity and inundation conditions influence the decomposition rate and how litter quality affects dynamic change during the decomposition process in the Yellow River Delta wetland in northeastern China. To do this, we designed a field experiment using the litter bag method to study two selected dominant halophyte species ( Phragmites australis and Suaeda salsa ). We found litter decomposed faster when inundated across a range of salinities. Both the water chemical oxygen demand and NH3 -N concentration were inversely correlated with salinity. The ratio of nitrogen to phosphorous showed an upward trend during the process of decomposition. The decomposition rate increased during the later stage of the process. Under inundation conditions, the decomposition rate of only S. salsa showed a positive correlation with salinity. The study results suggest that moderately higher salinity would increase anaerobic decomposition owing to the combined effect of salinity and inundation. The implications of our findings may be used to further assess the impact of environmental parameters and litter quality on the decomposition rate in estuarine wetland and can help determine a strategy for wetland reparation and remediation.