Leaf decomposition and flammability are largely decoupled across species in a tropical swamp forest despite sharing some predictive leaf functional traits

Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:	The New phytologist. - 1979. - 238(2023), 2 vom: 01. Apr., Seite 598-611
1. Verfasser:	Rahman, Nur E B (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser:	Smith, Stuart W, Lam, Weng Ngai, Chong, Kwek Yan, Chua, Matthias S E, Teo, Pei Yun, Lee, Daniel W J, Phua, Shi Yu, Aw, Cheryl Y, Lee, Janice S H, Wardle, David A
Format:	Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:	English
Veröffentlicht:	2023
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:	The New phytologist
Schlagworte:	Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Southeast Asia anaerobic soil environments faunal decomposition fire litterbag morphological traits plant economic spectrum wetlands mehr... Carbon 7440-44-0

Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	© 2023 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation. Decomposition and fire are major carbon pathways in many ecosystems, yet potential linkages between these processes are poorly understood. We test whether variability in decomposability and flammability across species are related to each other and to key plant functional traits in tropical swamp forests, where habitat degradation is elevating decomposition and fire regimes. Using senesced and fresh leaves of 22 swamp tree species in Singapore, we conducted an in situ decomposition experiment and a laboratory flammability experiment. We analysed 16 leaf physical and biochemical traits as predictors of decomposability and components of flammability: combustibility, ignitability and sustainability. Decomposability and flammability were largely decoupled across species, despite some shared predictive traits such as specific leaf area (SLA). Physical traits predicted that thicker leaves with a smaller SLA and volume decomposed faster, while various cation concentrations predicted flammability components, particularly ignitability. We show that flammability and decomposability of swamp forest leaves are decoupled because flammability is mostly driven by biochemical traits, while decomposition is driven by physical traits. Our approach identifies species that are slow to decompose and burn (e.g. Calophyllum tetrapterum and Xanthophyllum flavescens), which could be planted to mitigate carbon losses in tropical swamp reforestation
Beschreibung:	Date Completed 20.03.2023 Date Revised 13.04.2023 published: Print-Electronic Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:	1469-8137
DOI:	10.1111/nph.18742