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Background and Aims <p>Litter decomposition regulates forest nutrient cycling, while microbial nutrient limitations affect terrestrial ecosystem stability. However, systematic studies of congeneric species remain limited, particularly regarding microbial nutrient limitations in response to litter decomposition in <i>Larix</i> spp., constraining the disentanglement of species-specific effects.</p> Methods <p>Four <i>Larix</i> plantations (<i>L. gmelinii</i>, <i>L</i>. <i>principis</i>-<i>rupprechtii</i>, <i>L</i>. <i>kaempferi</i>, and <i>L</i>. <i>olgensis</i>) in homogeneous habitat were studied. In a 450-day litterbag decomposition experiment, we measured litter substrate quality (major elements: C, N, and P; recalcitrant components: lignin, cellulose, and condensed tannins), soil C, N, and P contents, and soil enzyme activities.</p> Results <p>Monthly mean temperature and precipitation, litter major elements, and enzyme activities promoted decomposition, while recalcitrant components inhibited it. The initial litter C:N, C:P, and Lignin:N ratios in <i>L</i>. <i>gmelinii</i> were lower, facilitating rapid decomposition, while those in <i>L</i>. <i>principis</i>-<i>rupprechtii</i> were higher, slowing decomposition. As decomposition progressed, the depletion of labile substrates and the increasing dominance of recalcitrant components intensified microbial C limitation, whereas microbial P limitation exhibited a strengthening-weakening-strengthening trend. At 0 and 450 days of decomposition, microbial metabolism was strongly C-limited in <i>L. gmelinii</i> and <i>L. kaempferi</i>. Microbial P limitation occurred in all stands, especially at 90 and 450 days, particularly in <i>L. principis-rupprechtii</i>.</p> Conclusion <p>Litter substrate quality regulated stage-dependent microbial nutrient limitations, alleviating early C limitation but intensifying late-stage C and P limitation. <i>L</i>. <i>gmelinii</i> exhibited a greater potential for litter-derived particulate organic matter turnover than <i>L</i>. <i>principis</i>-<i>rupprechtii</i>. This study informs tree species selection and future evaluation of broad-leaved species introduction.</p>

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Litter substrate quality dynamics regulate microbial nutrient limitations during decomposition in four Larix plantations in Northeast China

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Jide Zhao,
  • Yuwen Hu,
  • Lixue Yang,
  • Jun Meng,
  • Hui Dong

摘要

Background and Aims

Litter decomposition regulates forest nutrient cycling, while microbial nutrient limitations affect terrestrial ecosystem stability. However, systematic studies of congeneric species remain limited, particularly regarding microbial nutrient limitations in response to litter decomposition in Larix spp., constraining the disentanglement of species-specific effects.

Methods

Four Larix plantations (L. gmelinii, L. principis-rupprechtii, L. kaempferi, and L. olgensis) in homogeneous habitat were studied. In a 450-day litterbag decomposition experiment, we measured litter substrate quality (major elements: C, N, and P; recalcitrant components: lignin, cellulose, and condensed tannins), soil C, N, and P contents, and soil enzyme activities.

Results

Monthly mean temperature and precipitation, litter major elements, and enzyme activities promoted decomposition, while recalcitrant components inhibited it. The initial litter C:N, C:P, and Lignin:N ratios in L. gmelinii were lower, facilitating rapid decomposition, while those in L. principis-rupprechtii were higher, slowing decomposition. As decomposition progressed, the depletion of labile substrates and the increasing dominance of recalcitrant components intensified microbial C limitation, whereas microbial P limitation exhibited a strengthening-weakening-strengthening trend. At 0 and 450 days of decomposition, microbial metabolism was strongly C-limited in L. gmelinii and L. kaempferi. Microbial P limitation occurred in all stands, especially at 90 and 450 days, particularly in L. principis-rupprechtii.

Conclusion

Litter substrate quality regulated stage-dependent microbial nutrient limitations, alleviating early C limitation but intensifying late-stage C and P limitation. L. gmelinii exhibited a greater potential for litter-derived particulate organic matter turnover than L. principis-rupprechtii. This study informs tree species selection and future evaluation of broad-leaved species introduction.