New method to evaluate base cation dynamics during litter decomposition

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  • リターの分解と塩基動態に基づくリターライシメータ法の有用性の評価
  • リター ノ ブンカイ ト エンキ ドウタイ ニ モトズク リター ライシメータホウ ノ ユウヨウセイ ノ ヒョウカ

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Abstract

Litter decomposition and acid buffering reactions influence the dynamics of base cations in the organic horizon of a forest floor. However, traditional litter-bag methods cannot evaluate the amounts of base cations that are leached during litter decomposition. To resolve this problem, we developed a new method that allows measurements of the nutrient budget and litter decomposition rate. In the new method, leaf litter is placed in a stainless steel "litter lysimeter" to which an outlet tube filled with ion-exchange resin is connected. We evaluated the applicability of this method by comparing decomposition rates of leaves of Cryptomeria japonica incubated in litter lysimeters and in nylon-net litter bags for 10 months. We also compared the changes in the amounts of total and exchangeable base cations in the residual litter samples. The decomposition rates of the litter samples did not differ significantly between the two methods. Total calcium (Ca) contents in the litter samples increased after the 10-month incubation in both methods. The exchangeable calcium (Ca^<2+>) contents increased throughout the incubation in both methods, and were negatively correlated with the amount of residual litter. Total magnesium decreased after 10 months of incubation in both methods. However, there was no significant correlation between the amount of residual litter and the exchangeable magnesium (Mg^<2+>) content, which suggests that the Mg^<2+> content in the residual litter was affected by the nutrient budget. Based on these results, we conclude that the decomposition behavior of leaf litter and the dynamics of exchangeable Ca^<2+> can be estimated equally well using the litter lysimeter and litter-bag methods. The litter lysimeter method will thus serve as a useful tool for evaluating Ca dynamics during litter decomposition on the forest floor.

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