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Updated: May 30, 2026

Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
Published on: March 12, 2013
[Effects of UV-B radiation on the decomposition of Cunninghamia lanceolata leaf litter]
Hui-ling Zhang1, Xin-zhang Song, Zhi-ting Zhang
1Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Carbon Cycling in Forest Ecosystems and Carbon Sequestration, Zhejiang A & F University, Lin'an 311300, Zhejiang, China. zhlzhling@126.com
Abstract:
A litterbag experiment was conducted to study the decomposition of Cunninghamia lanceolata leaf litter under ambient and reduced UV-B radiation (22.1% below ambient). Comparing with ambient treatment, the reduced treatment decreased the decomposition rate of C. lanceolata leaf litter by 69.6% (P<0.001), making the relative contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and lignin in the litter increased by 150%, 83.3%, and 13.8%, respectively, and the release of potassium (K) and carbon (C) slowed down. In the process of litter decomposition, photo-degradation of lignin didn't play crucial role. The results suggested that UV-B radiation could accelerate the decomposition rate of C. lanceolata leaf litter, promote the release of N, P, K, and C from it, and increase the nutrients turnover rate in litter layer as well as the carbon flux on the ground, giving potential effects on the function of C. lanceolata forest as a carbon source or sink in humid subtropical China.
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