Patterns of litterfall and return of nutrients across anthropogenic disturbance gradients in three subalpine forests of west Himalaya, India
Patterns of litterfall and return of nutrients across anthropogenic disturbance gradients in three subalpine forests of west Himalaya, India
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DOI：
10.1007/s10310-008-0104-6
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发表时间：
2009-01
影响因子：
1.5
通讯作者：
S. Gairola;R. Rawal;U. Dhar
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
S. Gairola;R. Rawal;U. Dhar
The study was conducted to improve our understanding of the effects of forest disturbance on litterfall and patterns of nutrient return in three subalpine forest ecosystems (i.e.Betula utilis-dominated,Abies pindrow-dominated, andAcermixed broadleaf) of Indian west Himalaya. Total litterfall (t ha−1yr−1) ranged between 2.6–3.6 and 2.1–2.6 for pristine and degraded stands, respectively. Whereas total litterfall decrease from pristine to degraded stand was about 25–30% inB. utilisandAcermixed-broadleaf forests, the level of disturbance did not affect total litterfall inA. pindrow(coniferous) forest. Nutrient (N, P, and K) concentrations in litter components of the forests studied also varied across forest types and disturbance intensities. For pristine stands, among all the forests, return of total nutrients via litterfall was higher. The study revealed that patterns of litterfall and nutrient return in the forests studied were sensitive to intensity of disturbance, although sensitivity varied among forest types and nutrient contents. Increased intensity of disturbance greatly affected the total annual amount of nutrient return in broadleaf forests. Maximum impact was recorded inB. utilisforest with a significant decline in nutrient return from pristine to degraded stands (i.e. 64% for N, 38% for P, and 67% for K).Corresponding values for decline inAcermixed forest were 17, 13, and 33% for N, P, and K, respectively, whereas inA. Pindrowforest N return was 15% higher and P return was 33% lower. This study indicates that the litterfall and litter nutrient concentrations in these forests are sensitive to the intensity of disturbance, which affects the amount of nutrient return. This will have a strong bearing on forest nutrient cycling.
