Mass Loss Rates and Nutrient Dynamics of Oak and Mixed-Hardwood Leaf Litters in a Gyebangsan (Mt.) Forest Ecosystem

Abstract

Patterns of mass loss and nutrient release from decomposing oak (Quercus mongolica) and mixed litters (Q. mongolica, Betula schmidtii, Acer pseudo-sieboldianum, Kalopanx pictus and Tilia amurensis) in a natural hardwood forest in Gyebangsan (Mt.) were examined using litterbags placed on the forest floor for 869 days. Mass loss rates from decomposing litter were consistently higher in mixed litter (59%) than in oak litter types (52%) during the study period. Nutrient concentrations such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) from decomposing litter were also higher in mixed litter than in oak litter types. Nutrient concentrations (N, P, Ca, and Mg) increased compared with initial concentration of litter, while K concentrations dropped rapidly at the first 5 months and then stabilized. The results suggest that mas loss and nutrient release obtained from decomposing litter of single species in mixed hardwood forest ecosystem should be applied with caution because of the potential differences of mass loss and nutrient release between single litter and mixed litter types.