TY - JOUR
T1 - Stem decomposition of temperate tree species is determined by stem traits and fungal community composition during early stem decay
AU - Yang, Shanshan
AU - Poorter, Lourens
AU - Sterck, Frank J.
AU - Cornelissen, Johannes H. C.
AU - van Logtestijn, Richardus S. P.
AU - Kuramae, Eiko E.
AU - Kowalchuk, George A.
AU - Hefting, Mariet M.
AU - Goudzwaard, Leo
AU - Chang, Chenhui
AU - Sass‐Klaassen, Ute
N1 - Data archiving: no NIOO data
PY - 2024/3/25
Y1 - 2024/3/25
N2 - Dead trees are vital structural elements in forests
playing key roles in the carbon and nutrient cycle. Stem traits and
fungal community composition are both important drivers of stem decay,
and thereby affect ecosystem functioning, but their relative importance
for stem decomposition over time remains unclear.To address this issue, we used a common garden
decomposition experiment in a Dutch larch forest hosting fresh logs from
13 common temperate tree species. In total, 25 fresh wood and bark
traits were measured as indicators of wood accessibility for
decomposers, nutritional quality and chemical or physical defence
mechanisms. After 1 and 4 years of decay, we assessed the richness and
composition of wood-inhabiting fungi using amplicon sequencing and
determined the proportional wood density loss.Average proportional wood density loss for the first year was 18.5%, with further decomposition occurring at a rate of 4.3% year−1
for the subsequent 3 years across tree species. Proportional wood
density loss varied widely across tree species in the first year
(8.7–24.8% year−1) and subsequent years (0–11.3% year−1).
The variation was directly driven by initial wood traits during the
first decay year, then later directly driven by bark traits and fungal
community composition. Moreover, bark traits affected the composition of
wood-inhabiting fungi and thereby indirectly affected decomposition
rates. Specifically, traits promoting resource acquisition of the living
tree, such as wide conduits that increase accessibility and high
nutrient concentration, increased initial wood decomposition rates.
Fungal community composition, but not fungal richness explained
differences in wood decomposition after 4 years of exposure in the
field, where fungal communities dominated by brown-rot and white-rot
Basidiomycetes were linked to higher wood decomposition rate.Synthesis: Understanding what drives deadwood
decomposition through time is important to understand the dynamics of
carbon stocks. Here, using a tailor-made experimental design in a
temperate forest setting, we have shown that stem trait variation is key
to understanding the roles of these drivers; initially, wood traits
explained decomposition rates while subsequently, bark traits and fungal
decomposer composition drove decomposition rates. These findings inform
forest management with a view to selecting tree species to promote
carbon storage.
AB - Dead trees are vital structural elements in forests
playing key roles in the carbon and nutrient cycle. Stem traits and
fungal community composition are both important drivers of stem decay,
and thereby affect ecosystem functioning, but their relative importance
for stem decomposition over time remains unclear.To address this issue, we used a common garden
decomposition experiment in a Dutch larch forest hosting fresh logs from
13 common temperate tree species. In total, 25 fresh wood and bark
traits were measured as indicators of wood accessibility for
decomposers, nutritional quality and chemical or physical defence
mechanisms. After 1 and 4 years of decay, we assessed the richness and
composition of wood-inhabiting fungi using amplicon sequencing and
determined the proportional wood density loss.Average proportional wood density loss for the first year was 18.5%, with further decomposition occurring at a rate of 4.3% year−1
for the subsequent 3 years across tree species. Proportional wood
density loss varied widely across tree species in the first year
(8.7–24.8% year−1) and subsequent years (0–11.3% year−1).
The variation was directly driven by initial wood traits during the
first decay year, then later directly driven by bark traits and fungal
community composition. Moreover, bark traits affected the composition of
wood-inhabiting fungi and thereby indirectly affected decomposition
rates. Specifically, traits promoting resource acquisition of the living
tree, such as wide conduits that increase accessibility and high
nutrient concentration, increased initial wood decomposition rates.
Fungal community composition, but not fungal richness explained
differences in wood decomposition after 4 years of exposure in the
field, where fungal communities dominated by brown-rot and white-rot
Basidiomycetes were linked to higher wood decomposition rate.Synthesis: Understanding what drives deadwood
decomposition through time is important to understand the dynamics of
carbon stocks. Here, using a tailor-made experimental design in a
temperate forest setting, we have shown that stem trait variation is key
to understanding the roles of these drivers; initially, wood traits
explained decomposition rates while subsequently, bark traits and fungal
decomposer composition drove decomposition rates. These findings inform
forest management with a view to selecting tree species to promote
carbon storage.
KW - bark traits
KW - density loss
KW - ecosystem function and services
KW - fungal community
KW - physical–chemical traits
KW - saprotrophic fungi
KW - wood decomposition
KW - wood traits
U2 - 10.1111/1365-2745.14295
DO - 10.1111/1365-2745.14295
M3 - Article
SN - 0022-0477
JO - Journal of Ecology
JF - Journal of Ecology
ER -