Latitudinal responses of litter decomposition to solar radiation.

Photodegradation driven by solar radiation has been confirmed as an important driving factor for litter decomposition. However, previous single-site studies could not quantify the relative contribution of variation in solar radiation to litter decomposition. To address it, we conducted a field experiment in Heshan National Field Research Station of Forest Ecosystem, Guangdong (Heshan Station, south subtropical climate), Jigongshan Ecological Research Station, Xinyang, Henan (Jigongshan Station, north subtropical climate) and Daqinggou Ecological Research Station, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Daqinggou Station, temperate climate) at intervals of 10 degrees.

[Role of photosynthesis in regulating soil respiration under nitrogen application in a sandy grassland].

We examined the role of photosynthesis in regulating soil CO emission under nitrogen enrichment in Keerqin sandy grassland. Results showed that nitrogen (N) application could affect soil respiration rate by altering the allocation of photosynthetic products to the belowground. Gross ecosystem photosynthesis rate (GEP) was positively correlated with soil respiration rate (R).

[Effects of drying-rewetting on leaf litter decomposition and nutrient releases in forest plantations in Horqin Sandy Land, China].

Soil drying-rewetting is a common phenomenon in arid and semi-arid regions. Under the background of global climate change, it is predicted that the intensity of soil drying-rewetting cycle in Horqin Sandy Land will be further strengthened in the future. In this study, we conducted an in-situ soil column incubation experiment for 180 days to investigate the effects of soil drying-rewetting on leaf litter decomposition and nutrient releases of Populus simonii and Pinus sylvestris var.

[Effects of nitrogen addition on microbial respiration and root respiration in a sandy grassland.].

Soil respiration includes root respiration and microbial respiration. Effects of nitrogen addition on root respiration and microbial respiration may be quite different. We examined the effects of N-addition on the releasing of soil CO and the responses of root respiration and microbial respiration in a Keerqin sandy grassland, Northeast China.