Leaf decomposition plays an important role in ecosystem biogeochemistry. Nutrients are released from decomposing litter by leaching of soluble substances and the break-down by animals, microbes and fungi, and will thus become again available for uptake by plants. These decomposition processes might be influenced by the composition and diversity of litter species. To gain a deeper understanding about the relationships between litter diversity, nutrient cycling and uptake by plants, we established a leaf decomposition experiment at the forest rim of Site A in a small natural forest.

Unlabelled, and 15N and Li labelled leaves of the native tree species Sapindus saponaria, Quercus actusissima and Schima superba were used to create 1-, 2- and 3-species mixtures with one species labelled each per mixture. In total, 12 plots with all possible mixtures were replicated three times arranged in three blocks. Leaves of the respective species mixtures were placed in mesocosms together with one phytometer plant (Carex spec.). Over a timeperiode of six month, leaves and phytometer plants of each mixture were recovered in four timesteps (after 12, 37, 101 an 171 days). All leaves were cleaned, separated into species, dried at 40°C, weighted and analyzed for their Li and 15N content. 15N analysis were also carried out with the leaves and roots of the respective phytometer plant.

The 15N an Li labelled and unlabelled leaves of tree native tree species were used: Sapindus saponaria, Schima superba, Quercus acutissima. The trees were transplanted to a field near site B from a nursery in Dexing in spring 2011. The senescend leaves were collected in autumn 2011.

not easy to clean the leaves

The total weight of litter mixtures was measured after cleaning and drying at 40°C