Congyan Wang

Response of litter decomposition and related soil enzyme activities to different forms of nitrogen fertilization in a subtropical forest

With the continuing increase in the impact of human activities on ecosystems, ecologists are increasingly becoming interested in understanding the effects of nitrogen deposition on litter decomposition. At present, numerous studies have investigated the effects of single form of nitrogen fertilization on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems. However, forms of N deposition vary, and changes in the relative importance of different forms of N deposition are expected in the future. Thus, identifying the effects of different forms of N deposition on litter decomposition in forest ecosystems is a pressing task. In this study, two dominant litter types were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Quercus acutissima leaves from a late succession broad-leaved forest and Pinus massoniana needles from an early succession coniferous forest. The litter samples were incubated in microcosms with original forest soil and treated with four different forms of nitrogen fertilization [NH4+, NO3−, CO(NH2)2, and a mix of all three]. During a 5-month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil pH values, and soil enzyme activities were determined. Results show that all four forms of nitrogen fertilization significantly accelerate litter decomposition rates in the broadleaf forest, while only two forms of nitrogen fertilization [i.e., mixed nitrogen and CO(NH2)2] significantly accelerate litter decomposition rates in the coniferous forest. Litter decomposition rates with the mixed nitrogen fertilization were higher than those in any single form of nitrogen fertilization. All forms of nitrogen fertilization enhanced soil enzyme activities (i.e., catalase, cellulase, invertase, polyphenol oxidase, nitrate reductase, urease, and acid phosphatase) during the litter decomposition process for the two forest types. Soil enzyme activities under the mixed nitrogen fertilization were higher than those under any single form of nitrogen fertilization. These results suggest that the type and activity of the major degradative enzymes involved in litter decomposition vary in different forest types under different forms of nitrogen fertilization. They also indicate that a long-term consequence of N deposition-induced acceleration of litter decomposition rates in subtropical forests may be the release of carbon stored belowground to the atmosphere.

The efficacy and mechanisms of fungal suppression of freshwater harmful algal bloom species.

Microorganisms have attracted worldwide attention as possible agents for inhibiting water blooms. Algae are usually indirectly inhibited and degraded by secretion from microorganisms. In this study, algal cultures Microcystis aeruginosa (Ma) FACH-918, Microcystis flos-aquae (Mf) FACH-1028, Oocystis borgei (Ob) FACH-1108, and M. aeruginosa PCC 7806 were co-cultured with the fungus strain Trichaptum abietinum 1302BG. All algal cells were destroyed within 48 hours (h) of co-incubation. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope observation revealed that the fungal strain had preying ability on the algal cells. The mechanism may be that the algal cells were encased with a mucous membrane secreted by the fungal mycelia, and finally degraded by the fungus directly.

Effect of simulated acid rain on the litter decomposition of Quercus acutissima and Pinus massoniana in forest soil microcosms and the relationship with soil enzyme activities.

With the continuing increase in human activities, ecologists are increasingly interested in understanding the effects of acid rain on litter decomposition. Two dominant litters were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Quercus acutissima from a broad-leaved forest and Pinus massoniana from a coniferous forest. The litters were incubated in microcosms and treated with simulated acid rain (gradient pH levels). During a six-month incubation, changes in chemical composition (i.e., lignin, total carbohydrate, and nitrogen), litter mass losses, soil pH values, and activities of degradative enzymes were determined. Results showed that litter mass losses were depressed after exposure to acid rain and the effects of acid rain on the litter decomposition rates of needles were higher than on those of leaves. Results also revealed that simulated acid rain restrained the activities of cellulase, invertase, nitrate reductase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, polyphenol oxidase, and urease, while it enhanced the activities of catalase in most cases during the six-month decomposition process. Catalase and polyphenol oxidase were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the broad-leaved forest, while invertase, nitrate reductase, and urease were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the coniferous forest. The results suggest acid rain-restrained litter decomposition may be due to the depressed enzymatic activities. According to the results of this study, soil carbon in subtropical forests would accumulate as a long-term consequence of continued acid rain. This may presumably alter the balance of ecosystem carbon flux, nutrient cycling, and humus formation, which may, in turn, have multiple effects on forest ecosystems.

Response of degradative enzymes to N fertilization during litter decomposition in a subtropical forest through a microcosm experiment

With the continuing increase in human activities causing accelerating rates of anthropogenic nitrogen deposition inputs into forests, there is considerable interest in understanding the effects of nitrogen deposition on litter decomposition. Two dominant litters were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Quercus acutissima from a broad-leaved forest and Pinus massoniana from a coniferous forest. The litters were incubated in microcosms and treated with a gradient of nitrogen fertilization. During a 6-month incubation, changes in chemical composition (i.e., lignin, total carbohydrate, and nitrogen), litter mass losses, soil pH values, and the activities of degradative enzymes were determined. Results showed that medium-nitrogen and high-nitrogen fertilization significantly accelerated litter decomposition rates of leaves, while only the high-nitrogen fertilization significantly accelerated litter decomposition rates of needles. The results also showed that cellulase and nitrate reductase were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the broad-leaved forest, while catalase, cellulase, and acid phosphatase were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the coniferous forest under conditions of no N fertilization; catalase, cellulase, and acid phosphatase were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the broad-leaved forest, while catalase, cellulase, invertase, and nitrate reductase were primarily responsible for litter decomposition in the coniferous forest under conditions of N fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization-stimulated litter decomposition was due to the fact that the activities of enzymes, particularly cellulase, were accelerated.

Isolation and evaluation of terrestrial fungi with algicidal ability from Zijin Mountain, Nanjing, China

Approximately 60 fungal isolates from Zijin Mountain (Nanjing, China) were screened to determine their algicidal ability. The results show that 8 fungi belonging to Ascomycota and 5 belonging to Basidiomycota have algicidal ability. Of these fungi, Irpex lacteus T2b, Trametes hirsuta T24, Trametes versicolor F21a, and Bjerkandera adusta T1 showed strong algicidal ability. The order of fungal chlorophyll-a removal efficiency was as follows: T. versicolor F21a > I. lacteus T2b > B. adusta T1 > T. hirsuta T24. In particular, T. versicolor F21a completely removed algal cells within 30 h, showing the strongest algicidal ability. The results also show that all 4 fungal species degraded algal cells through direct attack. In addition, most of the tested fungi from the order Polyporales of Basidiomycota exhibited strong algicidal activity, suggesting that most fungi that belong to this order have algicidal ability. The findings of this work could direct the search for terrestrial fungi for bloom control.

Different degrees of plant invasion significantly affect the richness of the soil fungal community.

Several studies have shown that soil microorganisms play a key role in the success of plant invasion. Thus, ecologists have become increasingly interested in understanding the ecological effects of biological invasion on soil microbial communities given continuing increase in the effects of invasive plants on native ecosystems. This paper aims to provide a relatively complete depiction of the characteristics of soil microbial communities under different degrees of plant invasion. Rhizospheric soils of the notorious invasive plant Wedelia trilobata with different degrees of invasion (uninvaded, low-degree, and high-degree using its coverage in the invaded ecosystems) were collected from five discrete areas in Hainan Province, P. R. China. Soil physicochemical properties and community structure of soil microorganisms were assessed. Low degrees of W. trilobata invasion significantly increased soil pH values whereas high degrees of invasion did not significantly affected soil pH values. Moreover, the degree of W. trilobata invasion exerted significant effects on soil Ca concentration but did not significantly change other indices of soil physicochemical properties. Low and high degrees of W. trilobata invasion increased the richness of the soil fungal community but did not pose obvious effects on the soil bacterial community. W. trilobata invasion also exerted obvious effects on the community structure of soil microorganisms that take part in soil nitrogen cycling. These changes in soil physicochemical properties and community structure of soil microbial communities mediated by different degrees of W. trilobata invasion may present significant functions in further facilitating the invasion process.

Effects of nitrogen addition on litter decomposition, soil microbial biomass, and enzyme activities between leguminous and non-leguminous forests

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) deposition is an expanding problem that affects the functioning and composition of forest ecosystems, particularly the decomposition of forest litters. Legumes play an important role in the nitrogen cycle of forest ecosystems. Two litter types were chosen from Zijin Mountain in China: Robinia pseudoacacia leaves from a leguminous forest (LF) and Liquidambar formosana leaves from a non-leguminous forest (NF). The litter samples were mixed into original forest soils and incubated in microcosms. Then, they were treated by five forms of N addition: NH4+, NO3−, urea, glycine, and a mixture of all four. During a 6-month incubation period, litter mass losses, soil microbial biomass, soil pH, and enzyme activities were investigated. Results showed that mixed N and NO3−-N addition significantly accelerated the litter decomposition rates of LF leaves, while mixed N, glycine-N, and urea-N addition significantly accelerated the litter decomposition rates of NF leaves. Litter decomposition rates and soil enzyme activities under mixed N addition were higher than those under single form of N additions in the two forest types. Nitrogen addition had no significant effects on soil pH and soil microbial biomass. The results indicate that nitrogen addition may alter microbial allocation to extracellular enzyme production without affecting soil microbial biomass, and then affected litter decomposition process. The results further reveal that mixed N is a more important factor in controlling litter decomposition process than single form of N, and may seriously affect soil N cycle and the release of carbon stored belowground.

Ecological effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activity

The continuing increase in human activities is causing global changes such as increased deposition of atmospheric nitrogen. There is considerable interest in understanding the effects of increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activities, specifically in terms of global nitrogen cycling and its potential future contribution to global climate change. This paper summarizes the ecological effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on soil enzyme activities, including size-effects, stage-effects, site-effects, and the effects of different levels and forms of atmospheric nitrogen deposition. We discuss needs for further research on the relationship between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and soil enzymes.

Variations in leaf functional traits among plant species grouped by growth and leaf types in Zhenjiang, China

Leaf functional traits are adaptations that enable plants to live under various environmental conditions. This study aims to determine the differences in leaf functional traits among plants grouped by growth habit, leaf life span, leaf lifestyle, leaf form, and origin. Specific leaf area (SLA) of perennial or evergreen species was lower than that of annual or deciduous species because longer-lived leaves of perennial or evergreen species require more investment in structural integrity and/or defense against disturbances, especially with any resource constraint. SLA of large individuals was lower than that of small individuals. The low SLA in large individuals can improve their response to changing light and water conditions because increasing plant height is advantageous for light competition, but it can also impose a cost in terms of structural support and water transport. Petioles of plants with compound leaves were significantly longer than those of simple leaves because branching is expensive in terms of gaining height. SLA of plants increased with increasing invasiveness accordingly, and SLA of invasive plants was higher than that of their native congeners because invasive plants should invest more biomass on leaf growth rather than leaf structures per unit area to achieve a higher growth rate. Overall, variation in leaf functional traits among different groups may play an adaptive role in the successful survival of plants under diverse environments because leaf functional traits can lead to pronounced effects on leaf function, especially the acquisition and use of light. Plant species with different growth and leaf traits balance resource acquisition and leaf construction to minimize trade-offs and achieve fitness advantages in their natural habitat.

Solidago canadensis invasion affects soil N-fixing bacterial communities in heterogeneous landscapes in urban ecosystems in East China

Soil nitrogen-fixing bacterial communities (SNB) can increase the level of available soil N via biological N-fixation to facilitate successful invasion of several invasive plant species (IPS). Meanwhile, landscape heterogeneity can greatly enhance regional invasibility and increase the chances of successful invasion of IPS. Thus, it is important to understand the soil micro-ecological mechanisms driving the successful invasion of IPS in heterogeneous landscapes. This study performed cross-site comparisons, via metagenomics, to comprehensively analyze the effects of Solidago canadensis invasion on SNB in heterogeneous landscapes in urban ecosystems. Rhizospheric soil samples of S. canadensis were obtained from nine urban ecosystems [Three replicate quadrats (including uninvaded sites and invaded sites) for each type of urban ecosystem]. S. canadensis invasion did not significantly affect soil physicochemical properties, the taxonomic diversity of plant communities, or the diversity and richness of SNB. However, some SNB taxa (i.e., f_Micromonosporaceae, f_Oscillatoriaceae, and f_Bacillaceae) changed significantly with S. canadensis invasion. Thus, S. canadensis invasion may alter the community structure, rather than the diversity and richness of SNB, to facilitate its invasion process. Of the nine urban ecosystems, the diversity and richness of SNB was highest in farmland wasteland. Accordingly, the community invasibility of farmland wasteland may be higher than that of the other types of urban ecosystem. In brief, landscape heterogeneity, rather than S. canadensis invasion, was the strongest controlling factor for the diversity and richness of SNB. One possible reason may be the differences in soil electrical conductivity and the taxonomic diversity of plant communities in the nine urban ecosystems, which can cause notable shifts in the diversity and richness of SNB.