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Decomposition and potential nitrogen fixation in Dicranopteris linearis litter on Mauna Loa, Hawai'i

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Ann E. Russell  and
Peter M. Vitousek
Ann E. Russell
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011-1020, USA
Peter M. Vitousek
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-5020, USA
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Abstract

As a consequence of its relatively high productivity in primary successional sites on Mauna Loa, Hawai'i, the mat-forming fern Dicranopteris linearis can influence attributes of soil detrital pools. Decomposition, nutrient release and rates of asymbiotic N fixation in Dicranopteris litter were determined over an elevational range of oligotrophic sites. ‘Hot spots’ of nitrogen fixation occurred in Dicranopteris litter, as evidenced by acetylene reduction rates as high as 22 nmol g−1 h−1. However, potential N fixation rates for the entire litter mass were 0–0.1 g m−2 y−1, less than other N inputs such as rainfall. Dicranopteris' decomposition rates were low compared to other tropical species, even under high temperature and rainfall conditions, with ≥50% of the original leaf and >77%of the stem mass remaining after 2 y of decomposition. Slow decomposition was related to high ligninrnitrogen ratios (56–129) in litter and above-ground positioning of unabscised, decomposing litter. As a result of its slow decomposition rates, Dicranopteris is an major contributor to soil detrital pools. Aggradation of the detrital pool is an important process whereby nutrients are accrued within these ecosystems. Consequently, Dicranopteris exerts an important influence on soil genesis and ecosystem development during primary succession on pahoehoe lava.

Keywords

decompositionDicranopteris linearisecosystem developmentHawai'iMauna Loanitrogen fixationpahoehoe lavaprimary successionspecies effect
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 13 , Issue 4 , July 1997 , pp. 579 - 594
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1997

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