Decomposition of chestnut oak (Quercus prinus) leaves and nitrogen mineralization in an urban environment

• Published in: Biology and fertility of soils Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 343 - 349
• Main Authors: PAVAO-ZUCKERMAN, Mitchell A, COLEMAN, David C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.07.2005; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Decomposition; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Land use; Leaf litter; Mineralization; Nitrification; Nitrogen; Organic matter; Soil environment; Soil moisture; Soil organic matter; Soil science; Soil temperature; Soils; Trophic levels; Urban areas; Urban environments; Urban heat islands; Appalachians; North America; America; Translocation; SOIL BIOLOGY; Nutrient cycling; Urban environment; Urban ecology; Property of soil; Decomposition; Ecology; Biogeochemical cycle; N-mineralization; Southern appalachians; Mountain; Mineralization; Nutrient; Soil science
• DOI: 10.1007/s00374-005-0841-z
• ISSN: 0178-2762

We studied soil processes along an urban to rural gradient. To determine the ecosystem response to the urban soil environment, we measured (1) leaf litter decomposition rates using a reference leaf litter, and (2) net N-mineralization and net nitrification rates using paired in situ soil cores. A significant trend toward slower litter decomposition rates toward the urban end of the gradient was observed. In addition, percent ash-free dry mass remaining of the litter was significantly higher during the course of the study but was not statistically significant at the final sampling date. Litter C:N ratio had a complex response with respect to degree of urban land use, and litter % N did not differ between land-use types. Litter decomposition rates were not significantly correlated with observed soil physicochemical and biological characteristics but were influenced by soil moisture and soil organic matter. Net N-mineralization rates were higher in urban soils. Net nitrification rates did not differ with land-use type. Net N-mineralization rates were positively correlated with soil temperature, indicating a response to the urban heat island effect. Net N-mineralization rates were negatively correlated with the numbers of higher trophic level nematodes.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]