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Soil–litter mixing and microbial activity mediate decomposition and soil aggregate formation in a sandy shrub-invaded Chihuahuan Desert grassland

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Abstract

Drylands account globally for 30% of terrestrial net primary production and 20% of soil organic carbon. Present ecosystem models under predict litter decay in drylands, limiting assessments of biogeochemical cycling at multiple scales. Overlooked decomposition drivers, such as soil–litter mixing (SLM), may account for part of this model-measurement disconnect. We documented SLM and decomposition in relation to the formation of soil-microbial films and microbial extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) in the North American Chihuahuan Desert by placing mesh bags containing shrub (Prosopis glandulosa) foliar litter on the soil surface within contrasting vegetation microsites. Mass loss (in terms of k, the decay constant) was best described by the degree of SLM and soil-microbial film cover. EEA was greatest during periods of rapid litter decomposition and associated SLM. Soil-microbial film cover on litter surfaces increased over time and was greater in bare ground microsites (50% litter surface area covered) compared to shrub and grass microsites (37 and 33% covered, respectively). Soil aggregates that formed in association with decomposing leaf material had organic C and N concentrations 1.5–2× that of local surface soils. Micrographs of soil aggregates revealed a strong biotic component in their structure, suggesting that microbial decomposition facilitates aggregate formation and their C and N content. Decomposition drivers in arid lands fall into two major categories, abiotic and biotic, and it is challenging to ascertain their relative importance. The temporal synchrony between surface litter mass loss, EEA, biotic film development, and aggregate formation observed in this study supports the hypothesis that SLM enhances decomposition on detached litter by promoting conditions favorable for microbial processes. Inclusion of interactions between SLM and biological drivers will improve the ability of ecosystem models to predict decomposition rates and dynamics in drylands.

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Acknowledgements

Laboratory and field assistance from E. Morrison, J. Fitzgerald, and E. Velasco is appreciated. We thank D. Warnock for technical support with EEA, P. Cooke for assistance with microscopy, J.A. Perez for statistical consultation and W.G. Whitford, B. Bestelmeyer, and J. Anderson for helpful discussions in planning this work. Constructive feedback from two anonymous reviewers helped improve the manuscript. This work was supported by the US National Science Foundation (DEB 0815808 to HT, DEB 0816162 to SA), T&E Inc. (to DBH), the New Mexico State University Biology Graduate Student Organization (to DBH), and Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station project ARZT-1360540-H12-199 (to SA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology Department, Fogarty Life Science, Rhode Island College, Providence, RI, 02908, USA

    Daniel B. Hewins

  2. Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 167A Castetter Hall, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

    Robert L. Sinsabaugh

  3. School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, ENR2 - N358, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Steven R. Archer

  4. School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA

    Heather L. Throop

  5. School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA

    Heather L. Throop

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  1. Daniel B. Hewins
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  2. Robert L. Sinsabaugh
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  4. Heather L. Throop
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Correspondence to Daniel B. Hewins.

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Communicated by Wayne Polley.

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Hewins, D.B., Sinsabaugh, R.L., Archer, S.R. et al. Soil–litter mixing and microbial activity mediate decomposition and soil aggregate formation in a sandy shrub-invaded Chihuahuan Desert grassland. Plant Ecol 218, 459–474 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11258-017-0703-4

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