Litter decomposition in two subalpine forests during the freeze–thaw season

Mass loss and nutrient release of forest litter during the freeze–thaw season could play an essential role in C and nutrient cycling in cold regions, but few studies in some key ecosystems have been available. In order to characterize litter decomposition during the freeze–thaw season in a subalpine forest region of western China, a field experiment using the litterbag method was conducted on the decomposition of foliar litter of two dominant species, fir (Abies faxoniana) and birch (Betula platyphylla) under their respective forests. Over the freeze–thaw season following leaf-fall, about 18% and 20% of mass, 13% and 14% of lignin, 30% and 26% of cellulose, 14% and 21% of C, 30% and 27% of N, 17% and 15% of P, and 17% and 13% of K were lost from fir and birch litters, respectively. The lost mass and components accounted for more than 64% and 65% of mass, 72% and 69% of lignin, 75% and 60% of cellulose, 49% and 59% of C, 56% and 71% of N, 62% and 37% of P, and 38% and 37% of K in 1 year net loss rate of fir and birch litter, respectively. In addition, the loss of mass, lignin, cellulose and component bio-elements during the freeze–thaw season correlated closely with the initial substrate type and the levels of the individual bio-elements. The results demonstrated that litter decomposition during the freeze–thaw season contributes significantly to the first year decomposition in these subalpine forests.