Plant Ecology

Effects of bare versus sand burial on the decomposition and nutrient release of apophyges in extremely arid zones

  • YUAN Ping ,
  • HAN Huan ,
  • ZHAO Hongmei ,
  • LI Congjuan
Expand
  • 1. College of Resources and Environment, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
    2. National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China
    3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
    4. Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Soil and Plant Ecological Processes, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China

Received date: 2023-08-07

  Revised date: 2023-11-20

  Online published: 2024-03-11

Abstract

In nutrient-limited environments, apoplastic decomposition is a critical biogeochemical process for carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. Apoplastic decomposition and nutrient release processes are particularly important in arid and extremely arid regions, where deserts and dryads are the dominant ecosystem types. These processes play a crucial role in stabilizing soil, improving texture, and replenishing soil fertility due to the dearth of nutrients and organic matter in the soil. Plant nutrient uptake efficiency in such soil primarily relies on the decomposition of apoplastic material. In extremely arid desert regions like the Taklamakan Desert, apoplastic burial by quicksand is common, yet the complexities and characteristics of apoplastic decomposition under sand burial remain relatively unknown. To characterize the decomposition and nutrient dynamics of apomictic material in desert highway shelterbelt forest strips, we studied assimilated Haloxylon ammodendron and Calligonum arborescens assimilated branches, along with Tamarix ramosissima leaves, under surface exposure and sand burial treatments 510 days. Additionally, decomposition tests were conducted using the apoplast net bag method. The results showed that: (1) There were significant differences in mass loss between exposed and sand-buried treatments for the three plant species, with higher mass loss of apomictic material under sand burial. By the end of the decomposition test, the weight loss rates of Haloxylon ammodendron, Calligonum arborescens, and Tamarix ramosissima under the exposed treatment were 7%, 6.8%, and 18.1%, respectively, and those of pike, arborvitae, and multi-branched tamarisk under the sand-buried treatment were 23.7%, 9.7%, and 21.9%, respectively. (2) During the decomposition process, changes in apoplastic C, N, and P contents under the two treatments were inconsistent. The N and P contents of Haloxylon ammodendron and Calligonum arborescens assimilated branches showed a net enrichment, while the C content demonstrated net release. Similarly, the N and P contents of leaves of multi-branched Tamarix ramosissima displayed net enrichment and net release, respectively, while the C content had an enriched-released state. (3) Olson’s exponential decay model was employed to analyze the decomposition process and fit the mass residual rate of the apoplastic material. The decomposition coefficients’ k values for the apoplastic material of the three plants were ranked as follows: sand-buried treatment > bare treatment; (4) An analysis of the k values of the apoplastic material and the related factors showed that the initial N, P, C:N, and C:P contents of the apoplastic material had a significant effect on the rate of decomposition (P < 0.01). These results indicate that sand burial significantly influences the decomposition process of apomictic litter in desert highway protection forests within extremely arid zones.

Cite this article

YUAN Ping , HAN Huan , ZHAO Hongmei , LI Congjuan . Effects of bare versus sand burial on the decomposition and nutrient release of apophyges in extremely arid zones[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2024 , 41(2) : 293 -300 . DOI: 10.13866/j.azr.2024.02.12

References

[1] 李宜浓, 周晓梅, 张乃莉, 等. 陆地生态系统混合凋落物分解研究进展[J]. 生态学报, 2016, 36(16): 4977-4987.
  [Li Yinong, Zhou Xiaomei, Zhang Naili, et al. The research of mixed litter effects on litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2016, 36(16): 4977-4987.]
[2] Zhang X Y, Wang W. Control of climate and litter quality on leaf litter decomposition in different climatic zones[J]. Journal of Plant Research, 2015, 128(5): 791.
[3] Raich J W, Schlesinger W H. The global carbon dioxide flux in soil respiration and its relationship to vegetation and climate[J]. Tellus, 1992, 44(2): 81-99.
[4] 王新源, 赵学勇, 李玉霖, 等. 环境因素对干旱半干旱区凋落物分解的影响研究进展[J]. 应用生态学报, 2013, 24(11): 3300-3310.
  [Wang Xinyuan, Zhao Xueyong, Li Yulin, et al. Effects of environmental factors on litter decomposition in arid and semi-arid regions: A review[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2013, 24(11): 3300-3310.]
[5] 赵哈林, 曲浩, 周瑞莲, 等. 沙埋对沙米幼苗生长、存活及光合蒸腾特性的影响[J]. 生态学报, 2013, 33(18): 5574-5579.
  [Zhao Halin, Qu Hao, Zhou Ruilian, et al. Effects of sand burial on growth, survival, photosynthetic and transpiration properties of Agriophyllum squarrosum seedlings[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2013, 33(18): 5574-5579.]
[6] Teraminami T, Nakashima A, Ominami M, et al. Effects of sand burial depth on the root system of Salix cheilophila seedlings in Mu Us Sandy Land, Inner Mongolia, China[J]. Landscape and Ecological Engineering, 2013, 9(2): 249-257.
[7] Vleeshouwers L M. Modelling the effect of temperature, soil penetration resistance, burial depth and seed weight on pre-emergence growth of weeds[J]. Annals of Botany, 1997, 79(5): 553-563.
[8] Danger M, Cornut J, Elger A, et al. Effects of burial on leaf litter quality, microbial conditioning and palatability to three shredder taxa: Leaf litter burial and palatability[J]. Freshwater Biology, 2012, 57(5): 1017-1030.
[9] Vivanco L, Austin A T. Intrinsic effects of species on leaf litter and root decomposition: A comparison of temperate grasses from North and South America[J]. Oecologia, 2006, 150(1): 97-107.
[10] Austin A T, Araujo P I, Leva P E. Interaction of position, litter type, and water pulses on decomposition of grasses from the semiarid patagonian steppe[J]. Ecology, 2009, 90(9): 2642-2647.
[11] 范琳杰, 李成道, 李向义, 等. 极端干旱区沙土掩埋对凋落物分解速率及盐分含量动态的影响[J]. 植物生态学报, 2021, 45(2): 144-153.
  [Fan Linjie, Li Chengdao, Li Xiangyi, et al. Effects of sand burial on litter decomposition rate and salt content dynamics in an extremely arid region[J]. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 2021, 45(2): 144-153.]
[12] 李海涛, 于贵瑞, 李家永, 等. 井冈山森林凋落物分解动态及磷、钾释放速率[J]. 应用生态学报, 2007, 18(2): 233-240.
  [Li Haitao, Yu Guirui, Li Jiayong, et al. Dynamics of litter decomposition and phosphorus and potassium release in Jinggang Mountain region of Jiangxi Province, China[J]. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007, 18(2): 233-240.]
[13] 齐斐斐, 买买提依明·买买提艾力, 霍文, 等. 塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地地表辐射和能量平衡及小气候特征[J]. 干旱气象, 2020, 38(1): 32-39.
  [Qi Feifei, Maimaitiaili, Maimaitiyiming, Huo Wen, et al. Characteristics of surface radiation and energy balance and microclimate in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert[J]. Journal of Arid Meteorology, 2020, 38(1): 32-39.]
[14] Lei J, Li S, Fan D, et al. Classification and regionalization of the forming environment of windblown sand disasters along the Tarim Desert Highway[J]. Science Bulletin, 2008, 53(S2): 1-7.
[15] Liu Y, Ali M, Huo W, et al. Estimation of the land surface emissivity in the hinterland of Taklimakan Desert[J]. Journal of Mountain Science, 2014, 11(6): 1543-1551.
[16] 李丙文, 张洪江, 邱永志, 等. 咸水灌溉对塔里木沙漠公路防护林植物生长的影响[J]. 干旱区地理, 2011, 34(2): 215-221.
  [Li Bingwen, Zhang Hongjiang, Qiu Yongzhi, et al. Effects of saline water irrigation on plants growth of the Tarim Desert Highway shelter-belt[J]. Arid Land Geography, 2011, 34(2): 215-221.]
[17] Olson J S. Energy storage and the balance of producers and decomposers in ecological systems[J]. Ecology, 1963, 44(2): 322-331.
[18] 李巧玲, 曾辉. 美国南卡罗来纳州森林湿地十种典型植物凋落叶的分解特征[J]. 生态学报, 2017, 37(7): 2342-2351.
  [Li Qiaoling, Zeng Hui. Leaf litter decomposition of ten plant species in a forested wetland in South Carolina, USA[J]. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2017, 37(7): 2342-2351.]
[19] Zhang J G, Xu X W, Zhao Y, et al. Effect of shifting sand burial on soil evaporation and moisture-salt distribution in a hyper-arid desert[J]. Environmental Earth Sciences, 2016, 75(21): 1417.
[20] Zhang X M, Wang Y D, Zhao Y, et al. Litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics of three woody halophytes in the Taklimakan Desert Highway shelterbelt[J]. Arid Land Research and Management, 2017, 31(3): 335-351.
[21] Qu H, Zhao X, Wang S, et al. Abiotic factors affect leaf litter mass loss more strongly than initial litter traits under sand burial conditions[J]. Catena, 2021, 196: 104900.
[22] Liu G F, William K, Cornwell, et al. Decomposition of 51 semidesert species from wide-ranging phylogeny is faster in standing and sand-buried than in surface leaf litters: Implications for carbon and nutrient dynamics[J]. Plant & Soil, 2015, 396(1-2): 175-187.
[23] 范琳杰, 李向义, 李成道, 等. 极端干旱区花花柴(Karelinia caspia)和胡杨(Populus euphratica)叶凋落物分解和养分释放特征[J]. 干旱区研究, 2021, 38(2): 479-486.
  [Fan Linjie, Li Xiangyi, Li Chengdao, et al. Decomposition and nutrient release characteristics of Karelinia caspia and Populus euphratica leaf litters in extreme arid regions[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2021, 38(2): 479-486.]
[24] Uselman S M, Snyder K A, Blank R R, et al. UVB exposure does not accelerate rates of litter decomposition in a semi-arid riparian ecosystem[J]. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2011, 43(6): 1254-1265.
[25] Wu Z D, Wang Y X, Cai Z F, et al. Amount and decomposition characteristics of litters in citrus orchard in Fuzhou, China[J]. Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment, 2010, 26(3): 231-234.
[26] 周丽, 李彦, 唐立松, 等. 光降解在凋落物分解中的作用[J]. 生态学杂志, 2011, 30(9): 2045-2052.
  [Zhou Li, Li Yan, Tang Lisong, et al. Roles of photodegradation in litter decomposition[J]. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 2011, 30(9): 2045-2052.]
[27] Parton W, Silver W L, Burke I C, et al. Global-scale similarities in nitrogen release patterns during long-term decomposition[J]. Science, Washington: Amer Assoc Advancement Science, 2007, 315(5810): 361-364.
[28] Taylor B R, Parkinson D, Parsons W F J. Nitrogen and lignin content as predictors of litter decay rates: A microcosm test[J]. Ecology, 1989, 70(1): 97-104.
[29] Bray S R, Kitajima K, Mack M C. Temporal dynamics of microbial communities on decomposing leaf litter of 10 plant species in relation to decomposition rate[J]. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 2012, 49: 30-37.
[30] 杨晶晶, 周正立, 吕瑞恒, 等. 干旱生境下3种植物叶凋落物分解动态特征[J]. 干旱区研究, 2019, 36(4): 916-923.
  [Yang Jingjing, Zhou Zhengli, Lv Ruiheng, et al. Dynamic decomposition of foliar litters of three plant species in arid habitats[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2019, 36(4): 916-923.]
[31] Sylvain C, Jean W, Olaf B, et al. Litter composition rather than plant presence affects decomposition of tropical litter mixtures[J]. Plant and Soil, 2011, 343(1-2): 273-286.
Outlines

/