Variability in terrestrial litter decomposition can be explained by nutrient allocation strategies among soil decomposer communities

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dc.contributor.authorMurua, Jose M.
dc.contributor.authorGaxiola, Aurora
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-20T20:15:33Z
dc.date.available2025-01-20T20:15:33Z
dc.date.issued2023
dc.description.abstract1. Leaf litter decomposition is a key process for nutrient cycling with broad ecosystem-level consequences. However, we still cannot explain an important amount of the observed variability in decomposition rates. Therefore, a mechanistic model of how litter quality impacts the metabolic capacity of microbial decomposers to degrade litter at a given rate could improve our understanding of litter decomposition.
dc.description.abstract2. Elemental imbalances between leaf litter and microbial decomposers can lead to nutrient-limited decomposition. Microbial decomposers can deal with elemental imbalances via three main physiological mechanisms; by adjusting their carbon use efficiency (i.e. the proportion of assimilated carbon that is not respired), accumulating nitrogen or adjusting extracellular enzyme allocation between carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Therefore, decomposer communities that adjust to elemental imbalances using these strategies should decompose litter faster than those unable to adjust.
dc.description.abstract3. In this study, in a reciprocal transplant microcosm, we experimentally evaluated whether differences in the capacity of decomposers to reduce elemental imbalances help explain variability in decomposition rates. We used litter and soils from three coexisting woody species with contrasting litter C:N. Throughout the decomposition experiment, we quantified litter biomass loss, the allocation to beta-1,4-glucosidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (i.e. C and N degrading enzymes), and N accumulation. These data allowed us to identify the main strategies through which decomposers deal with elemental imbalances and their concomitant effects on litter decomposition rates.
dc.description.abstract4. Our results confirm that litter decomposition rates are strongly controlled by litter quality, but differences in decay rates are a function of C and N demands of decomposers. Here, decomposers dealt with elemental imbalances mainly through N accumulation and, to a lesser extent, through extracellular enzyme allocation and lower carbon use efficiency. However, when enzymatic allocation and N accumulation were insufficient to reduce elemental imbalances, decomposition rates were slower irrespective of litter quality. Finally, we show that the effectiveness of physiological strategies used by decomposers to reduce elemental imbalances will affect decomposition rates, a key ecosystem process.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/1365-2435.14321
dc.identifier.eissn1365-2435
dc.identifier.issn0269-8463
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14321
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/92267
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000962203500001
dc.issue.numero6
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final1652
dc.pagina.inicio1642
dc.revistaFunctional ecology
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectcarbon use efficiency
dc.subjectChile
dc.subjectecological stoichiometry
dc.subjectextracellular enzymatic activity
dc.subjectfunctional breadth
dc.subjectMediterranean ecosystems
dc.subjectNothofagus
dc.subjectthreshold element ratios
dc.subject.ods15 Life on Land
dc.subject.ods02 Zero Hunger
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.ods14 Life Below Water
dc.subject.odspa15 Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
dc.subject.odspa02 Hambre cero
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.subject.odspa14 Vida submarina
dc.titleVariability in terrestrial litter decomposition can be explained by nutrient allocation strategies among soil decomposer communities
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen37
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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