%0 Journal Article
%T Litter Production, Decomposition, and Nutrient Release in Subalpine Forest Communities of the Northwest Himalaya
%A Vinod K. Bisht
%A Bhagwati P. Nautiyal
%A Chandra P. Kuniyal
%A P. Prasad
%A Rakesh C. Sundriyal
%J Journal of Ecosystems
%D 2014
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2014/294867
%X Production, decomposition, and release of nutrients from leaf and nonleaf litter were investigated in four subalpine forests of North-West Himalaya, India. Total annual litter fall in four communities varied from 2950.00 to 4040.00£¿kg£¿ha£¿1 and was found significant (CD0.05 = 118.2). Decomposition of leaf litter varied from 1.82¨C3.5% during autumn-winter to 36.14¨C45.51 during summer rainy season in all stands and percent of mass loss was significantly varied in stands (CD6.00). Similarly, decomposition in nonleaf litter was varied from 0.3¨C1.1% during autumn-winter to 19.59¨C30.05% during summer rainy season and was significantly varied irrespective of seasons. However, percent decomposition of leaf litter and the values of decay constant () were at par in all stands. Total standing state of nutrients in fresh litter as well as release of total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in due course of decomposition (12 months) was also varying significantly. The rate of nonleaf litter decomposition was significantly positively correlated with air temperature ( in all communities). The significant correlation was observed only in Rhododendron-Sorbus forest community (PRS). Study indicates that the air temperature is a major determinant for nonleaf litter decomposition in this region. 1. Introduction Subalpine forests represent a transition zone between alpine areas and temperate forest communities [1] and shared floristic components of alpine and lower temperate zone. Thus, subalpine forests are the habitat specialized with key governing factors such as harsh environmental conditions including low soil and air temperatures, massive snowfall, scanty precipitation, and diurnal variations in the temperatures for ecosystem functioning. Notable shift in the vegetational pattern at subalpine region appears in the form of cessation of tree limit and beginning of alpine meadows those harbours herbaceous and complex mosaic of plant communities. Thus, subalpine habitats are indicators for presence of specific environmental and edaphic determinant. Majority of subalpine forests in the Northwestern Himalaya are sensitive to topography, anthropogenic interferences, and abrupt climatic changes [2]. The integrity of an ecosystem is maintained by the transfer of matter and energy between producers, consumers, and decomposers [3]. A major part of the annual gain of energy and matter is shed as litter [4] which enters into the decomposition subsystem as dead organic matter or detritus. The organic matter on the forest floor is a major source of energy for
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jeco/2014/294867/