Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Litter decomposition rate and nutrient release from different litter forms in a Himalayan alpine ecosystem

  • Published:
The Environmentalist Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Observations on above ground litter decomposition and nutrient release in alpine ecosystem of the Himalaya were carried out. Monthly variation was observed for above ground litter crop and it was higher in the protected sites (PR) when compared with unprotected sites (UNPR). Turnover rate (TR) and time (TT) was also higher in PR sites and it corresponded to maximum net accumulation of standing dead and litter biomass. This resulted into low litter disappearance and therefore, low nutrient fluxes as well. Comparatively, potassium content was a maximum followed by N and OC in above ground crop of litter with significant variation among the sites (P < 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). It was observed that only 9–12% litter of various categories was decomposed annually at the rate of 0.1–0.13%. Overall, decomposition process was a maximum during active growth season and only 13.2–16.2% of total litter was decomposed during the winter months (December–March). Release of OC and NPK to soil organic matter through the decomposition of various litter types was also observed and the pattern of release was similar to that of disappearance channel. All these parameters are reported and possible reasons are described in the present paper.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aerts R (1997) Climate, leaf litter chemistry and leaf litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosysytems: a triangular relationship. Oikos 79:439–449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aerts R, De Caluwe H (1997) Nutritional and plant-mediated controls on leaf litter decomposition of Carex species. Ecology 78:244–260

    Google Scholar 

  • Agarwal B, Tiwari SC (1988) Effects of prescribed fire on plant biomass, net primary production and turnover in a grassland at Garhwal Himalaya. Proc Natl Acad Sci India 58(2):291–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Agren GI, Bosatta E (1996) Theoretical ecosystem ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, p 234

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen SE (1974) Chemical analysis of ecological materials. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, Laskowski R (2006) Litter decomposition: a guide to carbon and nutrient turnover. Elsevier Academic Press, San Diego

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B, McClaugherty C (2003) Plant litter: decomposition, humus formation, carbon sequestration. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg B et al (1996) Maximum decomposition limits of forest litter types: a synthesis. Can J Bot 74:659–672

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cadisch G, Giller KE (1997) Driven by nature, plant litter quality and decomposition. CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Carreiro MM et al (2000) Microbial enzyme shifts explain decay responses to simulated nitrogen deposition. Ecology 81:2359–2365

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapin FS (1978) Phosphate uptake and nutrient utilization by Barrow tundra vegetation. In: Tieszen LL (ed) Vegetation and production ecology of an Alaskan arctic tundra. Springer, Berlin, pp 37–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapin FS, Oechel WC (1983) Photosynthesis, respiration and phosphate absorption by Carex aquatilis ecotypes along latitudinal and local environmental gradients. Ecology 64:743–751

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coulson JC, Butterfield J (1978) An investigation of the biotic factors determining the rates of plant decomposition on a blanket bog. J Ecol 66:631–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goel PK, Trivedi RK (1992) Chemical and biological methods for water pollution, soil and plant analysis, 1st edn. Environmental Publications, Karad

    Google Scholar 

  • Heal OW, Dighton J (1986) Nutrient cycling and decomposition in natural terrestrial ecosystems. In: Mitchell MJ, Nakas JP (eds) Microflora and faunal interactions in natural and agro ecosystems. Nijhoff and Junk, Dordrecht, pp 14–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Hobbie SE (1992) Effects of plants species on nutrient cycling. Trends Ecol Evol 10:336–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoorens B et al (2003) Does initial litter chemistry explain litter mixture effects on decomposition? Oecologia 137:578–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson ML (1958) Soil chemical analysis. Prentice Hall, NJ, p 498

    Google Scholar 

  • Körner C (2003) Alpine plant life: functional plant ecology of high mountain ecosystem. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  • Kutsch WL, Dilly O (1999) Ecophysiology of plant and microbial interactions in terrestrial ecosystems. In: Beyschlag W, Steinlein T (eds) Okophysiologie pflanzlicher interaktionen. Bielefeder Okologische Beitrage, vol 14, pp 74–84

  • Likens LGE, Bormann FH (1995) Biogeochemistry of a forested ecosystem, 2nd edn. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Mani MS (1978) Ecology and phytogeography of high altitude plants of North west Himalaya. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Markewtiz D et al (2004) Nutrient loss and redistribution after forest clearing on a highly weathered soil in Amazonia. Ecol Appl 14(4):S177–S199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meentemeyer V (1978) Macroclimate and lignin control of litter decomposition rates. Ecology 59:465–472

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Melillo JM et al (1982) Nitrogen and lignin control of hardwood leaf litter decomposition dynamics. Ecology 63:621–626

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nadelhoffer KJ (1992) Microbial processes and plant nutrient availability in arctic soils. In: Chapin FS III, Jefferies RL, Reynolds JF, Shaver GR, Svoboda J et al (eds) Arctic ecosystems in a changing climate. An ecophysiological perspective. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 281–300

    Google Scholar 

  • Nautiyal BP (1996) Studies on structure and function in an alpine meadow of Garhwal, Central Himalaya. PhD Thesis, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal

  • Nautiyal BP et al (1997a) Biomass, production potential dynamics and turnover rate in an alpine meadow of North-west Himalaya. J Hill Res 70(2):95–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Nautiyal BP et al (1997b) Annual nutrient budget for an alpine grazingland in Panwalikantha, North-west Himalaya. J Indian Bot Soc 72:103–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Nautiyal MC et al (2000) Phenology and growth form distribution in an alpine pasture at Tungnath, Garhwal Himalaya. Mount Res Dev 21(2):177–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Nautiyal MC et al (2004) Effect of grazing and climatic changes on alpine vegetation of Tungnath, Garhwal Himalaya, India. Environmentalist 24:125–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neher DA et al (2003) Effects of disturbance and ecosystem on decomposition. Appl Soil Ecol 23:165–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Odum EP (1960) Ecology. Holt, Reinehart and Winston, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Okalebo JR et al (1993) Laboratory methods of soil and plant analysis: a working manual. TSBF Programme, Kenya, pp 22–29

  • Olsen SR et al (1954) Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate, USDA Circular, 939. US Government Print Office, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovington JD et al (1963) Plant biomass and productivity of prairie, savanna, oakwood and maize field ecosystems in Central Minnesota. Ecology 44:52–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pande P et al (2000) Litter fall, decomposition and seasonal changes in nutrient concentration in decomposing litter in Arundinaria falcata in Oak zone on Central Himalaya. High altitude of the Himalaya-II, biodiversity. Ecol Environ 2:415–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Post WM (1996) Soil organic matter models and global estimates of soil organic matter. In: Powlson DS, Smith P, Smith JU et al (eds) Evaluation of soil organic matter models: using existing long term datasets. Springer, Berlin, pp 3–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Prescott CE et al (2004) Litter decomposition in British Columbia forests: controlling factors and influences of forestry activities. BC J Ecosyst Manag 5(2):44–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Sangha KK et al (2006) Litter production, decomposition and nutrient release in cleared and uncleared pasture systems of central Queensland, Australia. J Trop Ecol 22:177–189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schinner F (1986) Soil microbial activities and litter decomposition related to altitude. Plant Soil 65:87–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Semwal JK et al (1981) Floristic pattern of Tungnath alpine zone in Garhwal Himalaya. Acta Bot Indica 9:110–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw MR, Harte J (2001) Control of litter decomposition in a subalpine meadow-sagebrush steppe ecotone under climate change. Ecol Appl 11:1206–1223

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JS, Yadava PS (1974) Seasonal variation in composition, plant biomass and net primary productivity of a tropical grassland at Kurukshetra. India Ecol Monogr 44:351–375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sjoberg G et al (2004) Degradation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin in decomposing spruce needle litter in relation to N. Soil Biol Biochem 36:1761–1768

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundriyal RC (1994) Vegetation dynamics and animal behavior in an alpine pasture of the Garhwal Himalaya. In: Pangtey YPS, Rawal RS (eds) High altitudes of the Himalaya. Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital, pp 175–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundriyal RC, Joshi AP (1990) Effect of grazing on standing crop, productivity and efficiency of energy capture in an alpine grassland ecosystem at Tungnath (Garhwal Himalaya). India Trop Ecol 31:84–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Sundriyal RC, Joshi AP (1992) Annual nutrient budget of an alpine grassland in the Garhwal Himalaya. J Veg Sci 2:21–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swift MJ et al (1979) Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Studies in Ecology, vol 5. Blackwell Scientific, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor BR et al (1989) Decomposition of Populus tremuloides leaf litter accelerated by addition of Alnus crispa litter. Can J For Res 19:674–679

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek PM et al (1994) Litter decomposition on the Mauna Loa environmental matrix, Hawai I: patterns, mechanism and models. Ecology 75:418–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witkamp N, Van der Drift J (1961) Breakdown of forest litter in relation to environmental factors. Plant Soil 15:295–311

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav V, Malanson G (2007) Progress in soil organic matter research: litter decomposition, modeling, monitoring and sequestration. Prog Phys Geogr 31(2):131–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Authors are grateful to Director, HAPPRC for providing necessary facilities. One of the Author (BPN) gratefully acknowledges Prof. C. Körner, Institute of Botany, University of Basel, Schoenbeinstr, Basel for reviewing the MS and for his constructive criticisms and suggestions. Thanks are also due to Mr. S. S. Rawat and Mr. Karan Singh Rauthan for their wordless assistance and support. This work was partially supported through financial assistance by MOEF, GOI, New Delhi, India.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre (HAPPRC), Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University Srinagar, Post Box No. 14, Srinagar (Garhwal), 246174, Uttarakhand, India

    Neelam Rawat & M. C. Nautiyal

  2. Department of Horticulture, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (HAMP), School of Earth Sciences (ES) and Natural Resources Management (NRM), Mizoram University, Aizawl, India

    B. P. Nautiyal

Authors
  1. Neelam Rawat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. P. Nautiyal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. C. Nautiyal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Neelam Rawat.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rawat, N., Nautiyal, B.P. & Nautiyal, M.C. Litter decomposition rate and nutrient release from different litter forms in a Himalayan alpine ecosystem. Environmentalist 30, 279–288 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-010-9275-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10669-010-9275-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation