Download
Cite as:
Ostertag, R.; Restrepo, C.; Dalling, J.W.; Martin, P.H.; Abiem, I.; Aiba, S.; Alvarez-D&aacute;vila, E.; Arag&oacute;n, R.; Ataroff, M.; Chapman, H.; Cueva, A.; Fadrique, B.; Fern&aacute;ndez, R.D.; Gonz&aacute;lez, G.; Gotsch, S.G.; H&auml;ger, A.; Homeier, J.; I&ntilde;iguez-Armijos, C.; Llambi, L.D.; Moore, G.W.; N&aelig;sborg, R.R.; Poma L&oacute;pez, L.N.; Vieira Pompeu, P.; Powell, J.R.; Ram&iacute;rez Correa, J.A.; Scharnagl, K.; Tob&oacute;n, C. &amp; Williams, C.B. (2021): <b>Litter decomposition rates across tropical montane and lowland forests are controlled foremost by climate</b>. <i>Biotropica</i> <b>54</b>(2), 309-326.

Resource Description

Title: Litter decomposition rates across tropical montane and lowland forests are controlled foremost by climate
FOR816dw ID: 1945
Publication Date: 2021-12-17
License and Usage Rights:
Resource Owner(s):
Individual: Rebecca Ostertag
Contact:
Individual: Carla Restrepo
Contact:
Individual: James W. Dalling
Contact:
Individual: Patrick H. Martin
Contact:
Individual: Iveren Abiem
Contact:
Individual: Shin-Ichiro Aiba
Contact:
Individual: Esteban Alvarez-Dávila
Contact:
Individual: Roxana Aragón
Contact:
Individual: Michelle Ataroff
Contact:
Individual: Hazel Chapman
Contact:
Individual: Augusta Cueva
Contact:
Individual: Belén Fadrique
Contact:
Individual: Romina D. Fernández
Contact:
Individual: Grizelle González
Contact:
Individual: Sybil G. Gotsch
Contact:
Individual: Achim Häger
Contact:
Individual: Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
Individual: Carlos Iñiguez-Armijos
Contact:
Individual: Luis Daniel Llambi
Contact:
Individual: Georgianne W. Moore
Contact:
Individual: Rikke Reese Næsborg
Contact:
Individual: Laura Nohemy Poma López
Contact:
Individual: Patricia Vieira Pompeu
Contact:
Individual: Jennifer R. Powell
Contact:
Individual: Jorge Andrés Ramírez Correa
Contact:
Individual: Klara Scharnagl
Contact:
Individual: Conrado Tobón
Contact:
Individual: Cameron B. Williams
Contact:
Abstract:
The “hierarchy of factors” hypothesis states that decomposition rates are controlled primarily by climatic, followed by biological and soil variables. Tropical montane forests (TMF) are globally important ecosystems, yet there have been limited efforts to provide a biome-scale characterization of litter decomposition. We designed a common litter decomposition experiment replicated in 23 tropical montane sites across the Americas, Asia, and Africa and combined these results with a previous study of 23 sites in tropical lowland forests (TLF). Specifically, we investigated (1) spatial heterogeneity<br/> in decomposition, (2) the relative importance of biological factors that affect leaf and wood decomposition in TMF, and (3) the role of climate in determining leaf litter decomposition rates within and across the TMF and TLF biomes. Litterbags of two mesh sizes containing Laurus nobilis leaves or birchwood popsicle sticks were spatially dispersed and incubated in TMF sites, for 3 and 7 months on the soil surface and at 10–15 cm depth. The within-site<br/> replication demonstrated spatial variability in mass loss. Within TMF, litter type was the predominant biological factor influencing decomposition (leaves > wood), with mesh and burial effects playing a minor role.<br/> When comparing across TMF and TLF, climate was the predominant control over decomposition,but the Yasso07 global model (based on mean annual temperature and precipitation) only modestly predicted decomposition rate. Differences in controlling factors between biomes suggest that TMF, with their high rates of carbon storage, must be explicitly considered when developing theory and models to elucidate carbon cycling rates in the tropics.
Keywords:
| climate | decomposition | tropical montane forests (TMF) |
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal: Biotropica
Volume: 54
Issue: 2
Page Range: 309-326
Metadata Provider:
Individual: Jürgen Homeier
Contact:
Online Distribution:
Download File: http://www.tropicalmountainforest.org/publications.do?citid=1945


Quick search

  • Publications:
  • Datasets:



rnse logo

Radar Network Ecuador - Peru