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Background and aims <p>We investigated whether shrubification effects on litter decomposition differ among shrub species and plant organs in alpine meadows.</p> Methods <p>Two dominant shrub species of <i>Potentilla fruticosa</i> and <i>Sibiraea angustata</i> were used as study species. Their leaves and fine roots were incubated in litter bags (on the soil surface and in the soil profile) for 577&#xa0;days at both home-field and common garden sites.</p> Results <p><i>P. fruticosa</i> exhibited lower decomposition rates for leaves and roots than grasses, whereas <i>S. angustata</i> had a higher decomposition rate only for leaves. Mixtures of <i>P. fruticosa</i> and grass leaves/roots decomposed more slowly than grass leaf or root litter alone, while mixtures of <i>S. angustata</i> and grass leaves decomposed faster than grass leaf litter alone. Across all plant communities, fine roots in the soil decomposed more slowly overall than leaves on the soil surface. Decomposition at home-field versus common garden sites did not alter the patterns of decomposition rate variation among plant communities or organs. Acid detergent fibre (ADF) content is the most important predictor for leaf and root litter decomposition. Litter decomposition rate decreased with increasing ADF content. In addition to higher ADF content, lower nitrogen content in fine roots further reduced root decomposition rates relative to leaf decomposition rates.</p> Conclusion <p>The effects of shrubification on litter decomposition rates differ by shrub species and plant organ, and cannot be generalized. When assessing the impacts of shrubification on soil carbon and nutrient contents, the species- and organ-specific effects of shrubs on litter decomposition must be considered.</p>

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Shrubification effects on litter decomposition are dependent on plant species and organs in grazed alpine meadows

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月24日

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  • Fencan Li,
  • Jie Chen,
  • Xiaoming Mou,
  • Bin Jia,
  • Han Mao,
  • Xiao Gang Li

摘要

Background and aims

We investigated whether shrubification effects on litter decomposition differ among shrub species and plant organs in alpine meadows.

Methods

Two dominant shrub species of Potentilla fruticosa and Sibiraea angustata were used as study species. Their leaves and fine roots were incubated in litter bags (on the soil surface and in the soil profile) for 577 days at both home-field and common garden sites.

Results

P. fruticosa exhibited lower decomposition rates for leaves and roots than grasses, whereas S. angustata had a higher decomposition rate only for leaves. Mixtures of P. fruticosa and grass leaves/roots decomposed more slowly than grass leaf or root litter alone, while mixtures of S. angustata and grass leaves decomposed faster than grass leaf litter alone. Across all plant communities, fine roots in the soil decomposed more slowly overall than leaves on the soil surface. Decomposition at home-field versus common garden sites did not alter the patterns of decomposition rate variation among plant communities or organs. Acid detergent fibre (ADF) content is the most important predictor for leaf and root litter decomposition. Litter decomposition rate decreased with increasing ADF content. In addition to higher ADF content, lower nitrogen content in fine roots further reduced root decomposition rates relative to leaf decomposition rates.

Conclusion

The effects of shrubification on litter decomposition rates differ by shrub species and plant organ, and cannot be generalized. When assessing the impacts of shrubification on soil carbon and nutrient contents, the species- and organ-specific effects of shrubs on litter decomposition must be considered.