Predominant role of air warming in regulating litter decomposition in a Tibetan alpine meadow: A multi-factor global change experiment. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ye, Chenglong; Wang, Ying; Yan, Xuebin; Guo, Hui
• Is Part Of: Soil biology and biochemistry. Volume 167(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Alpine meadow -- Climate change -- Functional groups -- Litter decomposition -- Open-top chambers -- Seasonal patterns; Soil biochemistry -- Periodicals; Soil biology -- Periodicals; Sols -- Biochimie -- Périodiques; Sols -- Biologie -- Périodiques; Sols -- Microbiologie -- Périodiques; Bodembiologie; Biochemie; 631.46
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soilbio.2022.108588
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0717

Abstract

Abstract: Alpine ecosystems worldwide are experiencing multi-faceted climate changes, but the interactive effects of these drivers on litter decomposition are poorly understood. Here, we examined the effects of air warming, nitrogen (N) addition and altered precipitation, and their interactions on litter decomposition originating from four species ( Elymus nutans, Kobresia capillifolia, Thermopsis lanceolata, Saussurea nigrescens ) in a Tibetan alpine meadow. Among the three factors, air warming by open top chambers (OTCs) significantly decreased all litter decomposition except for K. capillifolia with the highest C:N ratio over one-year field decomposition. The reduced litter mass loss in the chambered plots was mainly attributed to OTC-induced decrease in soil temperature, with more negative effects of OTC on litter decomposition in winter and spring than in summer. However, N addition offset the negative effects of OTC on litter mass loss of K. capillifolia, likely by alleviating N limitation to this poor-quality litter decomposition. In addition, simulated precipitation increase promoted decomposition of high-quality litter ( T. lanceolata and S. nigrescens ) in the dry winter, likely by alleviating water stress. Together, our findings highlight the predominant role of climate in controlling litter decomposition in alpine ecosystems. Highlights: Air warming suppressed litter decomposition through reducing soil temperature. N addition offset the negative effects of air warming on mass loss of K. capillifolia. Altered precipitation affected decomposition of litters with low C:N in winter. Season regulated climate change effects on litter decomposition.