Context dependency of tree diversity effects on standardized substrates decomposition: Role of tree functional composition, mycorrhizal type and climatic conditions

Abstract Tree diversity influences litter decomposition both directly, through changes in litter quality and composition, and indirectly, by altering the local decomposition environment (LDE). However, the role of the LDE in shaping litter decomposition rates remains less explored than the direct effects. A standardized decomposition experiment using cellulose and wood substrates was conducted over the course of a year across seven tree diversity experiments in Europe and North America to explore how tree diversity, through its influence on the LDE, impacts decomposition rates. Tree functional diversity enhanced the decomposition rate of high‐quality substrate (cellulose) but had no effect on the decomposition rate of low‐quality substrate (wood). The impact of LDE was context‐dependent, with decomposition rates being highest under favourable climatic conditions, such as moderate temperatures and high precipitation. Contrary to the common assumption that litter decomposes faster in broadleaved and arbuscular (AM)‐dominated stands, our findings show that decomposition was faster in mixtures containing coniferous species and ectomycorrhizal (EM)‐associated trees, suggesting that LDE plays a larger role than initially thought. Synthesis . This study highlights the crucial role of LDE in shaping decomposition rates. While tree functional diversity generally enhances decomposition under favourable climatic conditions, LDE played a more significant role than previously recognized in EM stands, suggesting that faster decomposition rates in AM stands are primarily due to litter quality. These findings emphasize the context‐dependent nature of decomposition and the importance of considering LDE in understanding how tree diversity influences decomposition processes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Ecology
Published
2025-11-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.70189
Primary Topic
Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
Type
article
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article

Context dependency of tree diversity effects on standardized substrates decomposition: Role of tree functional composition, mycorrhizal type and climatic conditions

Nicolas Fanin, Alain Paquette, Bart Muys, Mark R. Bakker et al.
Journal of Ecology
Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
article

Context dependency of tree diversity effects on standardized substrates decomposition: Role of tree functional composition, mycorrhizal type and climatic conditions

Nicolas Fanin, Alain Paquette, Bart Muys, Mark R. Bakker, Quentin Ponette, Hervé Jactel, Peter Hajek, Bastien Castagneyrol, Joel Jensen, Cécile Brès, William C. Parker, Simone Mereu, Christian Messier, Audrey Bourdin, Agnès Robin, Laurent Augusto, Martin Weih, Joannès Guillemot, Michael Scherer‐Lorenzen, Hans Sandén, Tony Chahine, Hernán Serrano‐León, François‐Xavier Joly
article en

Abstract

Abstract Tree diversity influences litter decomposition both directly, through changes in litter quality and composition, and indirectly, by altering the local decomposition environment (LDE). However, the role of the LDE in shaping litter decomposition rates remains less explored than the direct effects. A standardized decomposition experiment using cellulose and wood substrates was conducted over the course of a year across seven tree diversity experiments in Europe and North America to explore how tree diversity, through its influence on the LDE, impacts decomposition rates. Tree functional diversity enhanced the decomposition rate of high‐quality substrate (cellulose) but had no effect on the decomposition rate of low‐quality substrate (wood). The impact of LDE was context‐dependent, with decomposition rates being highest under favourable climatic conditions, such as moderate temperatures and high precipitation. Contrary to the common assumption that litter decomposes faster in broadleaved and arbuscular (AM)‐dominated stands, our findings show that decomposition was faster in mixtures containing coniferous species and ectomycorrhizal (EM)‐associated trees, suggesting that LDE plays a larger role than initially thought. Synthesis . This study highlights the crucial role of LDE in shaping decomposition rates. While tree functional diversity generally enhances decomposition under favourable climatic conditions, LDE played a more significant role than previously recognized in EM stands, suggesting that faster decomposition rates in AM stands are primarily due to litter quality. These findings emphasize the context‐dependent nature of decomposition and the importance of considering LDE in understanding how tree diversity influences decomposition processes.

Journal of EcologyVol. 113(12)
Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (FR), Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (CA), Université de Bordeaux (FR), Université du Québec à Montréal (CA), University of Sassari (IT), University of Freiburg (DE), Universidade Metodista de São Paulo (BR), Université de Montpellier (FR), Research Institute for Nature and Forest (BE), Ontario Forest Research Institute (CA), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE), Université du Québec en Outaouais (CA), Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement (FR), École Nationale Supérieure des Sciences Agronomiques de Bordeaux-Aquitaine (FR), Ecologie fonctionnelle & biogéochimie des sols & des agro-systèmes (FR), Santé et Agroécologie du Vignoble (FR), Interaction Sol Plante Atmosphère (FR), Unité mixte de recherche Œnologie (FR), Institut Agro Montpelier (FR), UMR BIOdiversity, GEnes & Communities (FR), Institut du Savoir Montfort (CA), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (FR), BOKU University (AT), UCLouvain (BE), KU Leuven (BE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 70%
Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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