%0 Journal Article
%T Nutrient and Carbon Limitation on Decomposition in an Amazonian Moist Forest
%A Barantal, S.
%A Schimann, H.
%A Fromin, N.
%A Hattenschwiler, S.
%J Ecosystems
%D 2012
%V 15
%N 7
%@ 14329840 (Issn)
%F Barantal_etal2012
%O Export Date: 2 November 2012; Source: Scopus; Coden: Ecosf; doi: 10.1007/s10021-012-9564-9; Language of Original Document: English; Correspondence Address: Schimann, H.; UMR Ecologie des Forêts de Guyane (ECOFOG), INRA, Kourou, French Guiana; email: heidy.schimann@ecofog.gf
%O exported from refbase (http://php.ecofog.gf/refbase/show.php?record=442), last updated on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 11:07:18 -0300
%X Tropical forests determine global biogeochemical cycles to a large extent, but control factors for key ecosystem processes such as decomposition remain poorly understood. With a full-factorial C (cellulose), N (urea), and P (phosphate) fertilization experiment, we tested the relative importance of C and nutrient limitation on litter decomposition in a mature lowland moist forest of French Guiana. Despite the previously demonstrated litter C quality control over decomposition and the very low soil P content (0. 1 mg g -1 of soil) at our study site, fertilization with C or P alone did not increase the decomposition of a wide range of litter types (N:P ratios between 20 and 80). Nitrogen fertilization alone also had no effect on decomposition. However, the combined fertilization with N and P resulted in up to 33. 5% more initial litter mass lost, with an increasing effect with wider litter N:P ratios. Soil fauna strongly stimulated litter mass loss and enhanced nutrient fertilization effects. Moreover, nutrient effects on decomposition increased with additional C fertilization in the presence of fauna. Our results suggest that increased N availability is required for a positive P effect on decomposition in the studied P-poor tropical forest. Further stimulation of decomposition by C amendment through priming indicates energy limitation of decomposers that is co-determined by nutrient availability. The demonstrated intricate control of the key resources C, N, and P on decomposition calls for an intensified research effort on multiple resource limitation on key processes in tropical forests and how they change under multiple human impacts. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
%K energy limitation
%K labile carbon
%K litter quality
%K nitrogen
%K phosphorus
%K priming effect
%K soil fauna
%K tropical forest
%U http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84867676351&partnerID=40&md5=2a5ff9079cc45ca699057f5406cf3ba3
%P 1039-1052