Geographic Origin and Functional Group Type Affect the Decomposability of Peatland Plant Litter Through Biochemical Properties

TL;DR

This study shows that where plants grow and their type affect how quickly their litter decomposes in peatlands, which could impact carbon storage.

Contribution

The study reveals how geographic origin and plant functional groups interact to influence peatland litter decomposition via biochemical properties.

Findings

Decomposition rates varied by plant type, with Carex decomposing fastest and Sphagnum slowest.

Litter from the northernmost site decomposed the least, showing the impact of geographic origin.

Phenolics and lignin significantly inhibited decomposition, especially in Sphagnum.

Abstract

Peatlands are the most important global soil carbon reservoirs due to low decomposition rates. However, the influence of peatland plant litter quality and geographic environment on decomposition remains poorly understood. This article aims to explore the interactive effects of geographical origin and plant functional groups on the initial chemical characteristics and decomposition processes of peatland litter, elucidating how climate‐driven biochemical legacies regulate decomposition dynamics. Plant materials were collected from three peatlands in East China spanning distinct bioclimatic regimes along a latitudinal gradient: Dajiuhu (31°29′N), Hani (42°13′N), and Mangui (52°19′N) peatlands. A 3‐year decomposition experiment was conducted in Hani peatland starting in October 2014, using standardized litter bags containing nine species from three functional groups: mosses (Sphagnum), graminoids (Carex), and shrubs (Betula). Fresh plant materials from all sites was translocated to Hani peatland for decomposition experiment. Decomposition rates and key biochemical traits were quantified through sequential destructive sampling at 0‐, 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year post‐deployment. Results showed decomposition rates of plant litter descending as Carex > Betula > Sphagnum. Latitudinal origin significantly affected decomposition; the northernmost Mangui litter exhibited the lowest mean decomposition (41.1%) compared to Hani (45.4%) and Dajiuhu (44.4%). Total phenolics (β = −0.62) and lignin (including Sphagnum‐specific lignin‐like substances, β = −0.93) significantly inhibited decomposition. Interactive effects between geographical origin and functional group were significant, with Carex decomposition most sensitive to latitude. These findings demonstrate that geographic environment and plant functional group type jointly regulate peatland litter decomposability through biochemical traits. Climate warming may accelerate decomposability, potentially diminishing the carbon accumulation function of peatlands, underscoring the necessity to integrate latitudinal gradients and functional diversity into peatland carbon models.

This study investigated the influence of geographical origin and plant functional groups on peatland litter decomposition. Results demonstrated that geographic environment and plant functional group type jointly regulate peatland litter decomposability through biochemical traits. Climate warming may accelerate decomposition, potentially diminishing peatlands' carbon sink function.

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