Litterfall dynamics and nitrogen use efficiency in two evergreen temperate rainforests of southern Chile

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dc.contributor.authorPérez, CA
dc.contributor.authorArmesto, JJ
dc.contributor.authorTorrealba, C
dc.contributor.authorCarmona, MR
dc.date.accessioned2025-01-21T01:08:40Z
dc.date.available2025-01-21T01:08:40Z
dc.date.issued2003
dc.description.abstractIn unpolluted regions, where inorganic nitrogen (N) inputs from the atmosphere are minimal, such as remote locations in southern South America, litterfall dynamics and N use efficiency of tree species should be coupled to the internal N cycle of forest ecosystems. This hypothesis was examined in two evergreen temperate forests in southern Chile (42degrees30'S), a mixed broad-leaved forest (MBF) and a conifer forest (CF). Although these forests grow under the same climate and on the same parental material, they differ greatly in floristic structure and canopy dynamics (slower in the CF). In both forests, biomass, N flux, and C/N ratios of fine litterfall were measured monthly from May 1995 to March 1999. There was a continuous litter flux over the annual cycle in both forests, with a peak during autumn in the CF. In the MBF, litterfall decreased during spring. In both forests, the C/N ratios of litterfall varied over the annual cycle with a maximum in autumn. Annual litterfall biomass flux (Mean +/- SD = 3.3 +/- 0.5 vs 2.0 +/- 0.5 Mg ha(-1)) and N return (34.8 +/- 16 vs 9.1 +/- 2.8 kg N ha(-1)) were higher in the MBF than in the CF. At the ecosystem level, litterfall C/N was lower in the MBF (mean C/N ratio = 60.1 +/- 15, n = 3 years) suggesting decreased N use efficiency compared with CF (mean C/N ratio = 103 +/- 19.6, n = 3 years). At the species level, subordinated (subcanopy) tree species in the MBF had significantly lower C/N ratios (<50) of litterfall than the dominant trees in the CF and MBF (>85). The litterfall C/N ratio and percentage N retranslocated were significantly correlated and were lower in the MBF. The higher net N mineralization in soils of the MBF is related to a lower N use efficiency at the ecosystem and species level.
dc.fuente.origenWOS
dc.identifier.issn1442-9985
dc.identifier.urihttps://repositorio.uc.cl/handle/11534/96495
dc.identifier.wosidWOS:000186753900001
dc.issue.numero6
dc.language.isoen
dc.pagina.final600
dc.pagina.inicio591
dc.revistaAustral ecology
dc.rightsacceso restringido
dc.subjectChiloe National Park
dc.subjectFitzroya cupressoides
dc.subjectlitterfall C/N ratio
dc.subjectN retranslocation
dc.subjectNothofagus nitida
dc.subjectsouthern temperate forests
dc.subject.ods02 Zero Hunger
dc.subject.ods14 Life Below Water
dc.subject.ods15 Life on Land
dc.subject.ods13 Climate Action
dc.subject.odspa02 Hambre cero
dc.subject.odspa14 Vida submarina
dc.subject.odspa15 Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
dc.subject.odspa13 Acción por el clima
dc.titleLitterfall dynamics and nitrogen use efficiency in two evergreen temperate rainforests of southern Chile
dc.typeartículo
dc.volumen28
sipa.indexWOS
sipa.trazabilidadWOS;2025-01-12
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