Synergistic effects a common theme in mixed-species litter decomposition

Synergistic effects : a common theme in mixed-species litter decomposition

© 2020 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2020 New Phytologist Trust.

Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:The New phytologist. - 1979. - 227(2020), 3 vom: 01. Aug., Seite 757-765
1. Verfasser: Liu, Jun (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Liu, Xiaoyu, Song, Qingni, Compson, Zacchaeus G, LeRoy, Carri J, Luan, Fenggang, Wang, Hui, Hu, Yalin, Yang, Qingpei
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2020
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:The New phytologist
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. antagonistic effects litter decomposition litter mixture litter quality meta-analysis nonadditive effects synergistic effects Soil
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:© 2020 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2020 New Phytologist Trust.
Litter decomposition plays a key role in nutrient cycling across ecosystems, yet to date, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the nonadditive decomposition effects in leaf litter mixing experiments. To fill that gap, we compiled 69 individual studies with the aim to perform two meta-analyses on nonadditive effects. We show that a significant synergistic effect (faster decomposition in mixtures than expected) occurs at a global scale, with an average increase of 3-5% in litter mixtures. In particular, low-quality litter in mixtures shows a significant synergistic effect, while additive effects are observed for high-quality species. Additionally, synergistic effects turn into antagonistic effects when soil fauna are absent or litter is in very late stages of decomposition (near-humus). In contrast to temperate and tropical areas, studies in boreal regions show significant antagonistic effects. Our two meta-analyses provide a systematic evaluation of nonadditive effects in mixed litter decomposition studies and show that litter quality alters the effects of litter mixing. Our results indicate that nutrient transfer, soil fauna and inhibitory secondary compounds can influence mixing effects. We also highlight that synergistic and antagonistic effects occur concurrently, and the final litter mixing effect results from the interplay between them
Beschreibung:Date Completed 14.05.2021
Date Revised 14.05.2021
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1469-8137
DOI:10.1111/nph.16556