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Distribution and effects of tree leaf litter on vegetation composition and biomass in a forest–grassland ecotone

Distribution and effects of tree leaf litter on vegetation composition and biomass in a... AimsAfter abandonment of grasslands, secondary succession leads to the invasion by woody species. This process begins with the accumulation of tree litter in the forest–grassland ecotone. Our objectives were to determine the relationships between litter amounts and vegetation composition and cover along natural forest–grassland ecotones and to experimentally study the initial effects of tree litter accumulation on grassland vegetation and on microsite conditions.MethodsWe established 11 transects varying from 12 to 15 m in length in different forest–grassland ecotones in the Lahn-Dill highlands, Germany, and measured the mass and cover of tree litter and the cover and composition of vegetation at five sequential positions along each transect by using 1 m2 plots with five replications. In a field experiment, we established plots subjected to different litter amounts (0, 200 and 600g m−2) and evaluated changes in grassland vegetation, soil temperature and soil nutrient availability below the litter layer.Important FindingsTree litter amounts decrease from 650 to 65g m−2 across the forest–grassland ecotone. Vegetation changed from shrubs and annual species (adapted to more stressful conditions) in the forests edge to grasses, rosettes and hemirosette species (with higher competitive abilities) in the grassland. These anthropogenic forest–grassland ecotones showed abrupt edges, and the two adjacent ecosystems were characterized by different species pools and functional groups. In the field experiment, the presence of a litter layer reduced vegetation biomass and cover; the species richness was only reduced in the treatment with high litter (600g m−2). Additionally, adding litter on top of vegetation also reduced thermal amplitude and the number of frost days, while increasing the availability of some nutrients, such as nitrogen and aluminium, the latter being an indicator of soil acidification. Adding a tree litter layer of 600g m−2 in grassland areas had strong effects on the composition and diversity of grassland vegetation by reducing the cover of several key grassland species. In, or near, forest edges, litter accumulation rapidly changes established vegetation, microsite conditions and soil nutrients. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Plant Ecology Oxford University Press

Distribution and effects of tree leaf litter on vegetation composition and biomass in a forest–grassland ecotone

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References (80)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
© The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Botanical Society of China. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com
Subject
Research Article
ISSN
1752-9921
eISSN
1752-993X
DOI
10.1093/jpe/rtt027
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AimsAfter abandonment of grasslands, secondary succession leads to the invasion by woody species. This process begins with the accumulation of tree litter in the forest–grassland ecotone. Our objectives were to determine the relationships between litter amounts and vegetation composition and cover along natural forest–grassland ecotones and to experimentally study the initial effects of tree litter accumulation on grassland vegetation and on microsite conditions.MethodsWe established 11 transects varying from 12 to 15 m in length in different forest–grassland ecotones in the Lahn-Dill highlands, Germany, and measured the mass and cover of tree litter and the cover and composition of vegetation at five sequential positions along each transect by using 1 m2 plots with five replications. In a field experiment, we established plots subjected to different litter amounts (0, 200 and 600g m−2) and evaluated changes in grassland vegetation, soil temperature and soil nutrient availability below the litter layer.Important FindingsTree litter amounts decrease from 650 to 65g m−2 across the forest–grassland ecotone. Vegetation changed from shrubs and annual species (adapted to more stressful conditions) in the forests edge to grasses, rosettes and hemirosette species (with higher competitive abilities) in the grassland. These anthropogenic forest–grassland ecotones showed abrupt edges, and the two adjacent ecosystems were characterized by different species pools and functional groups. In the field experiment, the presence of a litter layer reduced vegetation biomass and cover; the species richness was only reduced in the treatment with high litter (600g m−2). Additionally, adding litter on top of vegetation also reduced thermal amplitude and the number of frost days, while increasing the availability of some nutrients, such as nitrogen and aluminium, the latter being an indicator of soil acidification. Adding a tree litter layer of 600g m−2 in grassland areas had strong effects on the composition and diversity of grassland vegetation by reducing the cover of several key grassland species. In, or near, forest edges, litter accumulation rapidly changes established vegetation, microsite conditions and soil nutrients.

Journal

Journal of Plant Ecology – Oxford University Press

Published: Jun 29, 2014

Keywords: Keywords: forest edge land abandonment land use change litter oak (Quercus robur) semi-natural grassland tree invasion

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