# Litter Fall and Its Decomposition inSapium sebiferum Roxb.: An Invasive Tree Species in Western Himalaya

Authors: Vikrant Jaryan; Sanjay Kr. Uniyal; R. C. Gupta; R. D. Singh
Journal: International Journal of Ecology
 (2014)

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## Abstract

Recognizing that high litter fall and its rapid decomposition are key traits of invasive species, litter fall and its decay inSapium sebiferum Roxb. were studied in Palampur. For this, litter traps of dimension 50 × 50 × 50 cm3 were placed in under-canopy and canopy gap of the species. Litter fall was monitored monthly and segregated into different components. For litter decay studies, litter bags of dimension 25 × 20 cm2 with a mesh size 2 mm were used and the same were analyzed on a fortnightly basis. Litter fall in both under-canopy and canopy gap was highest in November (1.16 Mg ha−1 y−1 in under-canopy and 0.38 Mg ha−1 y−1 in canopy gap) and lowest during March. Litter production in under-canopy and canopy gap was 4.04 Mg ha−1 y−1 and 1.87 Mg ha−1 y−1, respectively. These values are comparable to sal forest (1.7 t C ha−1 y−1), chir pine-mixed forest (2.1 t C ha−1 y−1), and mixed oak-conifer forest (2.8 t C ha−1 y−1) of the Western Himalaya. The decay rate, 0.46% day−1 in under-canopy and 0.48% day−1 in canopy gap, was also fast. Owing to this the species may be able to modify the habitats to its advantage, as has been reported elsewhere.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Litter refers to the dead material of plant origin that has been shed onto the ground. It may comprise leaves, bark, twigs, branches, inflorescence, seeds, and cones [1]. The decay of litter results in release of nutrients and its translocation. Thus, litter fall and its decomposition play an important role in ecosystem functioning [2–4]. Key ecological processes such as primary productivity, soil organic matter, mineralization of organic nutrients, nutrient cycling, and energy flow depend on the amount of litter fall and the rate of its decay [5, 6]. Decay of litter, on the other hand, depends on the type of litter, its position, and water availability at the site [7]. High litter production and its faster decay lead to accelerated release of nutrients and thereby changes in soil characteristics [8]. This consequently has a bearing on the vegetation and soil microorganisms [8].Studies on invasive species have shown high litter production and faster decomposition of the same in them [9, 10]. Thus, these are important traits of invasive species. Invasive species are nonnative species that have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced in an area outside their native range and are a reason for loss of native species and habitats [11, 12]. Recent review [8], based on comparative account of pool sizes and flux rates of major nutrients in 56 invasive species, concluded that invasive species change the patterns of carbon and nitrogen cycle. Invasion byMyrica faya in Hawaii has considerably altered the ecosystem functioning [13]. Ashton et al. [14] in an experiment found that litter of invasive species decomposes and releases nitrogen faster than native species. Owing to this, an invasive species is able to modify the soil conditions to its advantage [14–16].Recent studies have reported and modeled potential advancement ofSapium sebiferum Roxb., an invasive species, in the bio-rich Western Himalaya [17].Sapium sebiferum (family Euphorbiaceae) is a native of China and is commonly called Chinese tallow tree. It was introduced in India in 1858 by the Britishers for economical and ornamental purposes [18]. It is a deciduous tree species that rarely reaches 19 m in height. In Himachal Pradesh, it was first reported by Parker [19] from the Kangra Valley. The species now occupies ~4611 km2 area in the state of Himachal Pradesh and at many places forms gregarious patches [17]. Considering its invasive status [20, 21], wherein the species has been implicated in the loss of native flora and vegetation, studies onS. sebiferum in Himalaya become important. In our earlier studies we have documented the distribution characteristics [17], potential spread [22], and phenology [23] ofS. sebiferum. The present study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the (1) seasonal litter fall patterns and (2) litter decay in the species.


## 2. Materials and Methods

The present study was conducted in Palampur that lies in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The area receives heavy rainfall (~2500 mm annually) with maximum of it falling in the month of August (Table1). The area reports minimum temperature in January while the maximum is during May (Table 1).Table 1
Rainfall and temperature pattern in Palampur.
Month
Temperature (°C)
Rainfall (mm)
Minimum
Maximum
January
3.53
15.22
65.00
February
6.56
16.40
248.20
March
10.22
22.61
45.30
April
13.13
25.18
90.70
May
19.25
31.37
120.40
June
18.82
28.66
389.60
July
19.88
26.35
483.00
August
19.22
25.55
872.20
September
17.43
26.25
252.40
October
13.27
25.42
34.80
November
9.87
22.81
1.80
December
5.77
19.48
6.00A permanent plot of 35 × 25 m2 was set up at coordinates 32° 06′ 21.5′′ N and 76° 33′ 29′′ E at an altitude of 1300 m asl. Two sites, one “under-canopy” and the other “canopy gap,” were selected inside the permanent plot for placing litter traps (Figure 1). Under-canopy refers to areas directly under the canopy ofS. sebiferum while canopy gap refers to open areas between the canopies of the species.(a) Litter trap of dimension 50 × 50 × 50 cm3 and (b) its placement in the site.
(a)
(b)Three litter traps, each of dimension 50 × 50 × 50 cm3, were placed in under-canopy and canopy gap. On the 15th of every month, litter was collected from the traps. This was then oven dried for 48 h at 60°C and weighed. Segregation of litter into inflorescence/seed, wood, and leaf was also done. This was, then, analyzed for monthly and finally annual litter fall patterns. It was calculated in Mg ha−1 y−1. Considering 50% of the dry matter to be accounted for by carbon [24], results in t C ha−1 y−1 have also been presented.For litter decomposition studies, senescing leaves ofS. sebiferum were plucked and collected. These leaves were dried in an oven for 72 h at 60°C. 10 grams of the leaves was placed in each litter bag of dimension 25 × 20 cm2 of mesh size 2 mm. A total of 144 filled litter bags were placed in the under-canopy and canopy gap in replicates (72 bags in under-canopy and 72 in canopy gap) (Figure 2).(a) Oven dried senescing leaves, (b) 10 g of leaves weighed, (c) litter bags of dimension 25 × 20 cm2, and (d) litter bags placed in the permanent plot.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)Every fortnight, 3 litter bags were randomly removed from each site. These bags were cleaned and placed in an oven for 48 h at 60°C. After oven drying, the leaves were weighed. The decay rate was calculated as % day−1 and the decay rate coefficient (k) was calculated using the first-order exponential decay function [25–27]. The formula for the same is given as follows:
(1)y=e-kt,
where y is the percent mass remaining at a time point and t is the time elapsed since the beginning of litter decomposition experiment (days).


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Litter Fall

Litter fall, both in under-canopy and in canopy gap, slowly increased after March and recorded the highest values in November (1.16 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.58 t C ha−1 y−1 in under-canopy and 0.38 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.19 t C ha−1 y−1 in canopy gap) (Figure 3). In the month of March, no litter was recorded in the traps placed in both under-canopy and canopy gap. While litter fall recorded a general increasing trend from March to June, litter fall during the month of July decreased drastically (Figure 3). Litter fall then increased up to November after which it saw a steep decline. In general, total litter fall in under-canopy (4.04 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 2.02 t C ha−1 y−1) was higher than in canopy gap (1.87 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.93 t C ha−1 y−1).Figure 3
Litter fall patterns ofS. sebiferum in the marked site.Categorization of litter into different components revealed that under-canopy litter had 2.12 Mg ha−1 y−1 of leaf, 0.47 Mg ha−1 y−1 of wood and debris, and 1.44 Mg ha−1 y−1 of inflorescence/seed (Figure 4).Figure 4
Partitioning of litter into leaf, wood, and inflorescence/seed across different months in under-canopy.In the canopy gap, leaf fall was 1.08 Mg ha−1 y−1, wood and debris were 0.276 Mg ha−1 y−1, and inflorescence/seed litter was 0.51 Mg ha−1 y−1 (Figure 5). Leaf fall was maximum between August and December (for under-canopy it was 2.05 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 1.02 t C ha−1 y−1 and for canopy gap it was 1.05 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.52 C ha−1 y−1). Wood and debris (twig and branches) were maximum between September and February for under-canopy (0.41 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.20 C ha−1 y−1) whereas for canopy gap they were maximum during May to December (0.28 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.14 C ha−1 y−1). Inflorescence, in the litter, was highest between June and July (for under-canopy 0.07 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.039 C ha−1 y−1 and for canopy gap 0.067 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.033 C ha−1 y−1). Seed fall was high between November and January (for under-canopy 0.74 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.37 C ha−1 y−1 and for canopy gap 0.43 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.21 C ha−1 y−1) (Figures 4 and 5). Litter fall differed significantly between under-canopy and canopy gap (t = 2.3198, P<0.05).Figure 5
Partitioning of litter into leaves, wood, and inflorescence/seed across different months in canopy gap.


### 3.2. Litter Decomposition

The decomposition pattern of litter is shown in Figure6. After 181 days, out of the total 10 g, only 1.65 g litter remained in under-canopy while only 1.31 g was left in canopy gap. The decomposition rate was 0.46% day−1 in under-canopy and 0.48% day−1 in canopy gap. However, total decomposition at both sites occurred in ~196 days. Decomposition of the litter in under-canopy (0.401% day−1) and in canopy gap (0.486% day−1) was faster between January and March. From late March to May, the decomposition rate was slow (0.242% day−1 in under-canopy and 0.120% day−1 in canopy gap). The rate of decomposition was maximum after 25 June in both under-canopy (1.26% day−1) and canopy gap (1.36% day−1). The decay rate coefficient (k) was 0.009 day−1 (3.20 y−1) in under-canopy and 0.011 day−1 (4.01 y−1) in canopy gap. No significant difference in the decomposition rate ofS. sebiferum in under-canopy and in canopy gap (t = 0.37, P>0.05) was found.Figure 6
Patterns of litter decomposition.


## 3.1. Litter Fall

Litter fall, both in under-canopy and in canopy gap, slowly increased after March and recorded the highest values in November (1.16 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.58 t C ha−1 y−1 in under-canopy and 0.38 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.19 t C ha−1 y−1 in canopy gap) (Figure 3). In the month of March, no litter was recorded in the traps placed in both under-canopy and canopy gap. While litter fall recorded a general increasing trend from March to June, litter fall during the month of July decreased drastically (Figure 3). Litter fall then increased up to November after which it saw a steep decline. In general, total litter fall in under-canopy (4.04 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 2.02 t C ha−1 y−1) was higher than in canopy gap (1.87 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.93 t C ha−1 y−1).Figure 3
Litter fall patterns ofS. sebiferum in the marked site.Categorization of litter into different components revealed that under-canopy litter had 2.12 Mg ha−1 y−1 of leaf, 0.47 Mg ha−1 y−1 of wood and debris, and 1.44 Mg ha−1 y−1 of inflorescence/seed (Figure 4).Figure 4
Partitioning of litter into leaf, wood, and inflorescence/seed across different months in under-canopy.In the canopy gap, leaf fall was 1.08 Mg ha−1 y−1, wood and debris were 0.276 Mg ha−1 y−1, and inflorescence/seed litter was 0.51 Mg ha−1 y−1 (Figure 5). Leaf fall was maximum between August and December (for under-canopy it was 2.05 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 1.02 t C ha−1 y−1 and for canopy gap it was 1.05 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.52 C ha−1 y−1). Wood and debris (twig and branches) were maximum between September and February for under-canopy (0.41 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.20 C ha−1 y−1) whereas for canopy gap they were maximum during May to December (0.28 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.14 C ha−1 y−1). Inflorescence, in the litter, was highest between June and July (for under-canopy 0.07 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.039 C ha−1 y−1 and for canopy gap 0.067 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.033 C ha−1 y−1). Seed fall was high between November and January (for under-canopy 0.74 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.37 C ha−1 y−1 and for canopy gap 0.43 Mg ha−1 y−1 = 0.21 C ha−1 y−1) (Figures 4 and 5). Litter fall differed significantly between under-canopy and canopy gap (t = 2.3198, P<0.05).Figure 5
Partitioning of litter into leaves, wood, and inflorescence/seed across different months in canopy gap.


## 3.2. Litter Decomposition

The decomposition pattern of litter is shown in Figure6. After 181 days, out of the total 10 g, only 1.65 g litter remained in under-canopy while only 1.31 g was left in canopy gap. The decomposition rate was 0.46% day−1 in under-canopy and 0.48% day−1 in canopy gap. However, total decomposition at both sites occurred in ~196 days. Decomposition of the litter in under-canopy (0.401% day−1) and in canopy gap (0.486% day−1) was faster between January and March. From late March to May, the decomposition rate was slow (0.242% day−1 in under-canopy and 0.120% day−1 in canopy gap). The rate of decomposition was maximum after 25 June in both under-canopy (1.26% day−1) and canopy gap (1.36% day−1). The decay rate coefficient (k) was 0.009 day−1 (3.20 y−1) in under-canopy and 0.011 day−1 (4.01 y−1) in canopy gap. No significant difference in the decomposition rate ofS. sebiferum in under-canopy and in canopy gap (t = 0.37, P>0.05) was found.Figure 6
Patterns of litter decomposition.


## 4. Discussion

High litter fall and its rapid decomposition are important traits of invasive species that affects the biogeochemical cycle and nutrient status of soil [28, 29]. Litter fall and its decomposition revealed high turnover inS. sebiferum. It was 4.04 Mg ha−1 y−1 (2.02 t C ha−1 y−1) in under-canopy and 1.87 Mg ha−1 y−1 (0.93 t C ha−1 y−1) in canopy gap. Minimum litter fall was recorded during March. This is because bud bursting and leafing start in the species during this month [23]. Leaf litter production peaked in November.Sapium sebiferum, being a deciduous species, sheds its leaf during winter months. November marks the beginning of winter season in the Himalaya. Late fruiting and maturation of fruits is also a key characteristic of theS. sebiferum [23]. Consequently, seeds that dehisced during November-December showed the maximum fall during January. The litter fall estimates ofS. sebiferum are comparable to that of native Himalayan species. InBetula utilis dominated forests, litter fall has been reported to be 3.6 t ha−1, while forAbies pindrow and Acer mixed broadleaf forest the litter fall has been reported to be 2.6 t ha−1 and 2.8 t ha−1, respectively [30]. Other studies in Western Himalaya, assuming 50% carbon in dry matter, have reported litter fall to the tune of 1.7 t C ha−1 y−1 in sal forest [31], 2.1 t C ha−1 y−1 in chir pine-mixed forest [32], 3.2 t C ha−1 y−1 in mixed oak-chir pine [32], and 2.8 t C ha−1 y−1 in mixed oak-conifer forest [33]. Thus, despite being a small statured tree,S. sebiferumstand produces litter at par with stands of tree species that are almost double its size. How the changing climatic conditions will affect litter production and decomposition inSapium sebiferum is a noteworthy area of research. Recent studies on this aspect, owing to changing climatic conditions, have highlighted changes in forest composition and thereby litter production rates [34].The litter decomposition rate was relatively higher during January and February but lower during March to May (Figure6). The decay of litter depends on litter composition, decaying organisms, and the environmental conditions [35, 36]. During January-February, winter rains at the study site help in maintaining soil moisture and thereby the activities of soil microorganisms, which help in litter decomposition (0.401% day−1). During May, the ambient temperature rises in Himalaya and the rainfall decreases. Also, during dry spell, soil fauna moves deeper into the soil [37], which possibly limits the activity of microorganisms on the soil surface and ultimately causes reduction in the rate of decomposition (0.242% day−1). In temperate arid lands of Southern Hemisphere high temperature has been reported to limit the activities of soil microorganisms and thereby litter decomposition [38].The rainy season after June 15 and congenial temperature conditions lead to increased microbial activity and consequently higher litter decomposition rates (1.26% day−1). Further, during the initial phases, the soluble compounds in litter (sugars, phenolics, hydrocarbons, and glycerides) degrade fast and hence litter decomposition rates are relatively higher [1]. Lignified tissues decompose at a slower rate and hence decomposition rates are lower during later stages [1]. It has been reported that, as opposed to biotic degradation, decomposition of lignin is more photo-dependent [6].In general, decomposition rate ofS. sebiferum litter is higher than some of the native species of Himalaya such asLyonia ovalifolia (0.253% day−1),Mallotus philippensis (0.274% day−1),Shorea robusta(0.253% day−1) [39],Quercus floribunda (0.193% day−1),Q. leucotrichophora (0.183% day−1) [40], andQ. glauca (0.274% day−1). The decay rate coefficient (k) ofS. sebiferumwas 0.009 day−1 (3.20 y−1) in under-canopy and 0.011 day−1 (4.01 y−1) in canopy gap. These values are close to 4.33 y−1 reported by Cameron and Spencer [15] forS. sebiferum in USA. Petersen and Cummins [41] have classified decay rate coefficient into “fast” (k>0.01), “medium” (k=0.005–0.01), and “slow” (k<0.005) categories. Based on this, it can be said that decay ofS. sebiferum leaf litter is rapid. Though the present study did not look into the nutrient dynamics, rapid decay ofS. sebiferum leaves has led to changes in soil Ca, N, K, Mg, and S concentration in other parts of the globe [15, 42, 43]. Tree species are known to alter the forest litter decomposition through long term plant soil interactions [44–46]. Faster decay ofS. sebiferum litter is also known to result in eutrophication [47] and release of allelochemicals [48, 49] that help in self-facilitation of the species. Long term experiments on soil enzyme activity andSapium sebiferum litter inputs are desired. Such experiments as a part of Detritus Input and Removal Treatments in Hungary have provided valuable insights into how the enzyme activity in soil is influenced by the quality and quantity of litter [50].


## 5. Conclusions

The present study concludes thatSapium sebiferum produces high amount of litter that decays rapidly. This renders the species capable of modifying habitats to its advantage.



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*Source: 142429-2014-11-13.xml*