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Trends in leaf traits, litter dynamics and associated nutrient cycling along a secondary successional chronosequence of semi-evergreen tropical forest in South-Eastern Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 November 2018

Sarai Sánchez-Silva ,
Bernardus H.J. De Jong Open the ORCID record for Bernardus H.J. De Jong [Opens in a new window] ,
Deb R. Aryal Open the ORCID record for Deb R. Aryal [Opens in a new window] ,
Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga Open the ORCID record for Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga [Opens in a new window]  and
Jorge Mendoza-Vega Open the ORCID record for Jorge Mendoza-Vega [Opens in a new window]
Sarai Sánchez-Silva
Affiliation:
Department of Sustainability Science, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2ª, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP 24500, Campeche, Camp, México
Bernardus H.J. De Jong*
Affiliation:
Department of Sustainability Science, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2ª, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP 24500, Campeche, Camp, México
Deb R. Aryal
Affiliation:
Cátedra CONACyT, Agronomic Sciences Faculty, Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico
Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga
Affiliation:
Dept of Agriculture, Society and Environment, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2ª, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP 24500, Campeche, Camp, México
Jorge Mendoza-Vega
Affiliation:
Dept of Agriculture, Society and Environment, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av. Rancho Polígono 2ª, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP 24500, Campeche, Camp, México
*
*Corresponding author. Email: bjong@ecosur.mx
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Abstract:

Trends in structural and chemical leaf traits along a chronosequence of semi-evergreen tropical forest and their correlation with litter production and decomposition and associated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fluxes were assessed. Leaves of 15 dominant species in each plot were collected to measure leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA), C and N concentration and C:N ratio. Litterfall was measured and litter decomposition experiments were set up in 16 experimental plots in a chronosequence of secondary and mature forest. All five leaf traits combined discriminated the secondary forests from mature forest. SLA, N and C:N were significantly correlated to litter decomposition rates. Litter decomposition was significantly slower in mature forest compared with secondary forests. The N concentration of litter was lowest during the dry season, when litterfall was highest. N concentration in fresh leaves was higher than in litter, indicating that N is re-absorbed before leaf abscission. Leaf dynamics and associated nutrient cycling differ significantly between secondary forests and mature forest. Ecosystem-level leaf structural and chemical traits are good predictors of the stage of the forest and explain well the differences in decomposition rates between secondary and primary forests.

Keywords

leaf chemical traitsleaf decompositionleaf structural traitssecondary succession
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 34 , Issue 6 , November 2018 , pp. 364 - 377
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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References

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