Decomposition of oak and maple leaf litters: comparative study of native and alien species

Abstract

Decomposition intensity of leaf lifters of unlive tree species, England oak (Quercus robur L.) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), and invasive tree species, northern red oak (Q. rubra L.), sycamore maple (A. pseudoplatanus L.) and box elder (A. negundo L.), were studied in Reid conditions on the surface of mineral topsoil of Luvisol. It was determined that the decomposability leaf litter of native tree species was faster than alien ones. Among all studied tree species the decrease of total carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) and, consequently, the decrease in C:N ratio through the time were the highest in leaf litter of A. negundo. It shows, that leaf litter fall of this alien maple could creates more beneficial nutrient and illumination conditions for soil ground vegetation to compare with native maple A. platanoides. Meanwhile the difference in such effects among leaf litters of Q. robur and Q. rubra was eliminated by the diversities in the mass, the decomposability and the contents of C and N.