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Litter decomposition in Mediterranean pine forests is enhanced by reduced canopy cover

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Abstract

Aims

This study investigated the impact of canopy cover and seasonality on litter decay in Mediterranean pine forests to enhance climate predictions.

Methods

We conducted litterbag experiments in plots of different tree densities in two Mediterranean pine forests differing in precipitation amounts. In each plot, local litter was placed in forest gaps and under tree canopies for 613 days, starting in the dry season.

Results

Litter mass loss was greater in forest gaps than under tree canopies across forests and tree densities. Similarly, a reduction in tree density tended to increase mass loss. Additionally, while the decay rate slowed down from the first to the second wet season, the decay rate remained constant during the first and the second dry season, and the dry seasons contributed 30% to the overall mass loss.

Conclusions

Reduction in canopy cover enhances litter decay, and the stability and magnitude of the dry season contribution to annual mass loss have the potential to control litter mass loss when accounting also for the dry periods in the wet season. Combined, the ongoing tree mortality and the predicted prolongation of dry periods due to climate change may enhance litter decay, possibly reducing ecosystem carbon stocks in drylands.

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Abbreviations

C:

Carbon

DBH:

Stem diameter at breast height

LAI:

Leaf area index

MAP:

Mean annual precipitation

N:

Nitrogen

RH:

Relative humidity

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support of Rita Dumbur, Avner Zinger, Ken Karu, Meron Berniker, Mor Ashkenazi, Ohad Abramovich, Nili Brukental, Nitsan Amiti, Sivan Ben Ari, Yuki Nahmias and Yossi Haddad for field and lab assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

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Correspondence to Daniel Gliksman.

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Funding

This research project was financially supported by Keren Kayemet Leyisrael - Jewish National Fund (KKL).

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Fernando T. Maestre.

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Gliksman, D., Haenel, S., Osem, Y. et al. Litter decomposition in Mediterranean pine forests is enhanced by reduced canopy cover. Plant Soil 422, 317–329 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3366-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3366-y

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