Abstract
Decomposition and fire are major carbon pathways in many ecosystems, yet potential linkages between these processes are poorly understood. We test whether variability in decomposability and flammability across species are related to each other and to key plant functional traits in tropical swamp forests, where habitat degradation is elevating decomposition and fire regimes. Using senesced and fresh leaves of 22 swamp tree species in Singapore, we conducted an in situ decomposition experiment and a laboratory flammability experiment. We analysed 16 leaf physical and biochemical traits as predictors of decomposability and components of flammability: combustibility, ignitability, and sustainability. Decomposability and flammability were largely decoupled across species, despite some shared predictive traits such as specific leaf area. Physical traits predicted that thicker leaves with a smaller specific leaf area and volume decomposed faster, while various cation concentrations predicted flammability components, particularly ignitability. We show that flammability and decomposability of swamp forest leaves are decoupled because flammability is mostly driven by biochemical traits, while decomposition is driven by physical traits. Our approach identifies species that are slow to decompose and burn (e.g., Calophyllum tetrapterum and Xanthophyllum flavescens) which could be planted to mitigate carbon losses in tropical swamp reforestation.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 598-611 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | New Phytologist |
Volume | 238 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 Jan 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was funded by the Singapore Ministry of Education grant (MOE2018‐T2‐2‐156). We would also like to thank Cai Yixiong, Sebastian Ow and Jayasri Lakshminarayanan for facilitating access into Nee Soon Swamp Forest under the research permit NP/RP18‐002‐4. We are grateful also to Ngo Kang Min, Lu Chuansen Leon, Tan Kee Boon Sylvia, Chiok Wen Xuan Shane, Saloni Swaminathan, Ng Jun Wei Dominic Pierre, Marx Yim, Soh Sun Yi and Ang Bing Hong Shawn for assistance with fieldwork.
Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Singapore Ministry of Education grant (MOE2018-T2-2-156). We would also like to thank Cai Yixiong, Sebastian Ow and Jayasri Lakshminarayanan for facilitating access into Nee Soon Swamp Forest under the research permit NP/RP18-002-4. We are grateful also to Ngo Kang Min, Lu Chuansen Leon, Tan Kee Boon Sylvia, Chiok Wen Xuan Shane, Saloni Swaminathan, Ng Jun Wei Dominic Pierre, Marx Yim, Soh Sun Yi and Ang Bing Hong Shawn for assistance with fieldwork.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2023 New Phytologist Foundation.
Keywords
- anaerobic soil environments
- faunal decomposition
- fire
- litterbag
- morphological traits
- plant economic spectrum
- Southeast Asia
- wetlands
- Plant Science
- Physiology