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Author Sayer, E.J.; Rodtassana, C.; Sheldrake, M.; Bréchet, L.M.; Ashford, O.S.; Lopez-Sangil, L.; Kerdraon-Byrne, D.; Castro, B.; Turner, B.L.; Wright, S.J.; Tanner, E.V.J. doi  openurl
  Title Revisiting nutrient cycling by litterfall—Insights from 15 years of litter manipulation in old-growth lowland tropical forest Type Journal Article
  Year 2020 Publication Advances in Ecological Researc Abbreviated Journal Adv. Ecol. Res.  
  Volume 62 Issue Pages 173-223  
  Keywords Forest floor; Litter addition; Litter removal; Litterfall; Nutrient cycling; Nutrient use efficiency; Soil fertility; Trace elements; Tropical lowland forest  
  Abstract The crucial role of tropical forests in the global carbon balance is underpinned by their extraordinarily high biomass and productivity, even though the majority of tropical forests grow on nutrient-poor soils. Nutrient cycling by litterfall has long been considered essential for maintaining high primary productivity in lowland tropical forests but few studies have tested this assumption experimentally. We review and synthesise findings from the Gigante Litter Manipulation Project (GLiMP), a long-term experiment in lowland tropical forest in Panama, Central America, in which litter has been removed from or added to large-scale plots for 15 years. We assessed changes in soil and litter nutrient concentrations in response to the experimental treatments and estimated nutrient return and nutrient use efficiency to indicate changes in nutrient cycling. The soil concentrations of most nutrients increased with litter addition and declined with litter removal. Litter removal altered nitrogen, potassium, manganese and zinc cycling, demonstrating the importance of litter inputs for maintaining the availability of these elements to plants. By contrast, litter addition only altered nitrogen cycling and, despite low concentrations of available soil phosphorus, the effects of litter manipulation on phosphorus cycling were inconsistent. We discuss potential mechanisms underlying the observed changes, and we emphasise the importance of decomposition processes in the forest floor for retaining nutrient elements, which partially decouples nutrient cycling from the mineral soil. Finally, by synthesising GLiMP studies conducted during 15 years of litter manipulation, we highlight key knowledge gaps and avenues for future research into tropical forest nutrient cycling. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd  
  Address Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, Wexford, Ireland  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Academic Press Inc. Place of Publication Editor Dumbrell A.J.; Turner E.C.; Fayle T.M.  
  Language Summary Language Original Title  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title Advances in Ecological Research  
  Series Volume 62 Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 00652504 (Issn); 9780128211342 (Isbn) ISBN Medium  
  Area Expedition Conference  
  Notes Approved no  
  Call Number (up) EcoFoG @ webmaster @ Serial 1001  
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