Abstract
Selecting appropriate tree species is crucial for mitigating soil acidification and restoring biogeochemical cycles in subtropical acid rain regions. The objective of this study was to elucidate the influence of species selection on litter nutrient dynamics and its implications for soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling. To achieve this, three forest types were examined at the Tieshanping Forest Farm (Chongqing, China). Twelve plots were established, including pure stands of Pinus massoniana Lamb. or Cinnamomum camphora (Linn) Presl, and mixed stands of these species. Litterfall was collected monthly (December 2020–November 2021) to determine pH, C, N, phosphorus, potassium, lignin, and cellulose contents, alongside potential nutrient returns and stoichiometric ratios. Results indicated that while total annual litterfall production did not differ significantly among the forest types, their seasonal dynamics varied distinctly, with C. camphora and P. massoniana peaking in spring and summer, respectively. Furthermore, C. camphora stands exhibited significantly higher annual P and K returns. Conversely, P. massoniana litter was characterized by the highest C:P ratio and mean annual lignin content (344.78 mg g−1), indicating lower decomposability that may restrict organic C turnover and N release. Consequently, the nutrient-rich and readily decomposable litter of C. camphora is more effective than P. massoniana at alleviating soil acidification and facilitating healthier C and N cycling. These findings highlight the critical role of aboveground litter quality in driving belowground soil C and N dynamics, providing a vital scientific basis for species selection during ecological restoration in acid rain-affected areas.
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Claims 9
Claim · model-written summary
Total annual litterfall production did not differ significantly among forest types.
- Taxon
- Pinus massoniana
Pinus massonianae1 - Outcome
- total annual litterfall productione0
- Direction
- did not differe0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“total annual litterfall production did not differ significantly among the forest types”
e1“Pinus massoniana Lamb. or Cinnamomum camphora (Linn) Presl”
Claim · model-written summary
C. camphora litterfall peaked in spring.
- Taxon
- C. camphora
_(32109153283).jpg?width=60)
Cinnamomum camphorae0 - Outcome
- peaking in springe0
Not reportedOrgan / stage
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
_(32109153283).jpg?width=500)
Verbatim
e0“C. camphora and P. massoniana peaking in spring and summer, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
P. massoniana litterfall peaked in summer.
- Taxon
- P. massonianaPinus massonianae0
- Outcome
- peaking in spring and summer, respectivelye0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“C. camphora and P. massoniana peaking in spring and summer, respectively”
Claim · model-written summary
C. camphora stands had significantly higher annual P returns.
- Taxon
- C. camphoraCinnamomum camphorae0
- Outcome
- annual Pe0
- Direction
- highere0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“C. camphora stands exhibited significantly higher annual P and K returns”
Claim · model-written summary
C. camphora stands had significantly higher annual K returns.
- Taxon
- C. camphoraCinnamomum camphorae0
- Outcome
- K returnse0
- Direction
- highere0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“C. camphora stands exhibited significantly higher annual P and K returns”
Claim · model-written summary
P. massoniana litter had the highest C:P ratio.
- Taxon
- P. massonianaPinus massonianae0
- Outcome
- C:P ratioe0
- Direction
- higheste0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“P. massoniana litter was characterized by the highest C:P ratio and mean annual lignin content (344.78 mg g−1)”
Claim · model-written summary
P. massoniana litter had the highest mean annual lignin content, 344.78 mg g−1.
- Taxon
- P. massonianaPinus massonianae0
- Outcome
- mean annual lignin contente0
- Direction
- higheste0
- Value
- 344.78 mg g−1e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“P. massoniana litter was characterized by the highest C:P ratio and mean annual lignin content (344.78 mg g−1)”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors infer that P. massoniana litter decomposes less readily and may limit carbon turnover and nitrogen release.
- Taxon
- P. massonianaPinus massonianae1
- Outcome
- organic C turnover and N releasee0
- Qualifier
- lower decomposabilitye0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“indicating lower decomposability that may restrict organic C turnover and N release”
e1“P. massoniana litter”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors consider C. camphora litter more effective than P. massoniana litter at reducing soil acidification and supporting C and N cycling.
- Taxon
- C. camphoraCinnamomum camphorae0
- Outcome
- alleviating soil acidification and facilitating healthier C and N cyclinge0
- Qualifier
- nutrient-rich and readily decomposable littere0
- Comparator
- P. massonianae0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“the nutrient-rich and readily decomposable litter of C. camphora is more effective than P. massoniana at alleviating soil acidification and facilitating healthier C and N cycling”