Leaf litter dynamics in Western Black Sea mountainous forest ecosystems
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Science Publishing
Access Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate leaf litter decomposition rates in eastern beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) mixed stands in Akcakoca in the province of Dueurozce, located in the Western Black Sea region of Turkey. The sampling areas represent four different elevations and two aspects at each elevation. Amounts of annual beech and chestnut litterfall were estimated at 5.19 and 4.61 Mg center dot ha-1, respectively. Litter decomposition was examined over five time periods (0.25, 0.50, 1.25, 2.25, and 4.25 years) by using the litterbag method. The mass of remaining beech leaf litter was found to be 1.1, 1.2, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.3 times greater than the mass of chestnut leaf litter, respectively. However, estimated values for the decomposition rate constant (k) of chestnut for all time periods were found to be approximately 1.5 times greater than those of beech leaf litter. Litter in beech stands decomposed more rapidly at higher elevations during the first year but at lower elevations during the second year, likely due to increased temperature and precipitation for the corresponding years. Leaf litter in chestnut stands decomposed more rapidly at lower elevations in the second and fourth years, reflecting higher precipitation for those years.
Description
Keywords
Beech; Sweet Chestnut; Litter; Decomposition, Soil Organic-Matter; Long-Term Decomposition; Acid-Detergent Fiber; Mass-Loss Rates; Fagus-Sylvatica; Cellulose Fractionation; Lignin Control; Needle Litter; Mixed Stands; Picea-Abies
Journal or Series
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
WoS Q Value
Q2
Scopus Q Value
Q1
Volume
51
Issue
12
