The temperature sensitivity of nutrient
release from dung decomposition will influence
ecosystem nutrient recycling in the future global
warming. However, the relationship between temperature
and nutrient release is not well understood. We
conducted a 2-year-long study to understand the yak
dung decomposition and its potential response to
climate change along an elevation gradient from 3,200
to 4,200 m above sea level on an alpine meadow on
the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Mass loss of different
chemical components of dung [organic carbon (C),
cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, N, P, potassium (K),
calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)] significantly
decreased with elevation. The ratios of C:N and N:P
in the remaining dung increased significantly with
decrease in elevation. The average temperature
sensitivities (% C-1) (i.e., increase of the mass loss
(%) per 1C temperature increase among elevations)
were approximately 37, 75, 168, 41, 29, 37, 29, 34,
and 31% per 1C warming within a 273-day decomposition
period, which decreased with decomposition
time, for organic C, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin,
N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. The temperature
sensitivity of organic C mass loss is positively
correlated to the C:N ratios in dung. The average
temperature sensitivity of phosphorus mass loss was
higher than that of nitrogen mass loss for the first 273
days and thereafter this situation was reversed.
release from dung decomposition will influence
ecosystem nutrient recycling in the future global
warming. However, the relationship between temperature
and nutrient release is not well understood. We
conducted a 2-year-long study to understand the yak
dung decomposition and its potential response to
climate change along an elevation gradient from 3,200
to 4,200 m above sea level on an alpine meadow on
the Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Mass loss of different
chemical components of dung [organic carbon (C),
cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, N, P, potassium (K),
calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)] significantly
decreased with elevation. The ratios of C:N and N:P
in the remaining dung increased significantly with
decrease in elevation. The average temperature
sensitivities (% C-1) (i.e., increase of the mass loss
(%) per 1C temperature increase among elevations)
were approximately 37, 75, 168, 41, 29, 37, 29, 34,
and 31% per 1C warming within a 273-day decomposition
period, which decreased with decomposition
time, for organic C, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin,
N, P, K, Ca, and Mg, respectively. The temperature
sensitivity of organic C mass loss is positively
correlated to the C:N ratios in dung. The average
temperature sensitivity of phosphorus mass loss was
higher than that of nitrogen mass loss for the first 273
days and thereafter this situation was reversed.
The research has been published on Nutr Cycl Agroecosyst
(2010) 87:49–57
Guangping Xu Æ Zengguo Chao Æ Shiping Wang Æ Yigang Hu Æ Zhenghua Zhang Æ
Jichuang Duan Æ Xiaofeng Chang Æ Ailing Su Æ Caiyun Luo Æ Yingnian Li Æ
Mingyuan Du
DOI 10.1007/s10705-009-9311-6
Jichuang Duan Æ Xiaofeng Chang Æ Ailing Su Æ Caiyun Luo Æ Yingnian Li Æ
Mingyuan Du
DOI 10.1007/s10705-009-9311-6