High variation in foliage and leaf litter chemistry among 45 tree species of a neotropical rainforest community.

Distinct ecosystem level carbon : nitrogen : phosphorus (C : N : P) stoichiometries in forest foliage have been suggested to reflect ecosystem-scale selection for physiological strategies in plant nutrient use. Here, this hypothesis was explored in a nutrient-poor lowland rainforest in French Guiana. Variation in C, N and P concentrations was evaluated in leaf litter and foliage from neighbour trees of 45 different species, and the litter concentrations of major C fractions were also measured.

Influence of increased atmospheric CO(2) concentration on quality of plant material and litter decomposition.

Nitrogen (N) and lignin concentrations in plant tissues and litter of plants grown in greenhouses or open-top chambers in elevated atmospheric CO(2) concentration were compared with those of plants grown in ambient air in short-term studies. We also compared the N concentration of plant material of Quercus ilex L. and Q.

Feeding rates of the woodlouse Armadillidium vulgare on herb litters produced at two levels of atmospheric CO.

The consumption and assimilation rates of the woodlouse Armadillidium vulgare were measured on leaf litters from five herb species grown and naturally senesced at 350 and 700 µl l CO. Each type of litter was tested separately after 12, 30 and 45 days of decomposition at 18°C. The effects of elevated CO differed depending on the plant species.