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Decomposition of Blackberry and Broomsedge Bluestem as Influenced by Ozone

Dep. of Forest Resources, Sunchon National Univ., 315 Maegok-dong, Sunchon, 540-742, Korea;

A. H. Chappelka^*

School of Forestry, M. White-Smith Hall, Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL 36849, USA;

M. S. Miller-Goodman

Dep. of Agronomy and Soils, Funchess Hall, Auburn Univ., AL 36849.

^* Corresponding author (email chappe{at}forestry.auburn.edu).

ABSTRACT

Many researchers have reported on individual plant responses to O₃, but few have investigated the effects of this pollutant on ecosystem function. Our investigation examined the influence of O₃ on short-term (Phase I) litter decomposition of blackberry (Rubus cuneifolus Pursh.) and broomsedge bluestem (Andropogon virginicus L.), two plant species native to early successional forest communities in the southern USA. Mixed blackberry/broomsedge litter (1:1) collected from plants exposed to different levels of O₃ for one growing season was placed in open-top chambers and exposed to different O₃ levels of treatments for 24 wk. Litter also was incubated in microcosms in the laboratory at 25 or 30°C to determine the effects of climate change on O₃-treated litter. Initial C and N concentrations of the collected foliage did not differ significantly among treatments for either species. Blackberry litter had approximately twice as much N as broomsedge, and when collected from 2X O₃ chambers, had significantly greater permanganate lignin than the other treatments. Initial permanganate lignin concentration of blackberry, over all O₃ treatments, correlated significantly with remaining mass of the litter mixture after 24 wk exposure. Litter decomposed more slowly in the 2X chambers than in the other treatment chambers, regardless of litter source. Elevated O₃-exposed litter (2X) decomposed the slowest regardless of treatment applied. There were significant temperature and time effects observed with litter decomposition; litter incubated at 30°C decomposed faster than at 25°C. Our data suggest O₃ may influence substrate quality and microbial activity, thus reducing the rate of litter decomposition in early successional forest communities.

Alabama Agric. Exp. Stn. no. 9-975791.

Received for publication June 5, 1997.