Nutrient Dynamics and Factors Affecting Litter Decomposition in Quercus Leucotrichophora Forest, Garhwal Himalayas

Nutrient cycling is a key ecological process and governs by the litter decomposition. Litter decomposition process and nutrient-releasing pattern are affected by litter quality as well as climatic factors. Nutrients and stoichiometry are important for plant growth and species dynamics. However, the stoichiometry relationship is poorly understood. Present study analyzed the leaf litter (LL) and leaf litter stoichiometry (LS) of Carbon (C), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) of Quercus leucotrichophora forest at two elevations, Uttarakhand, India by litterbag experiment at regular intervals of 60 days for one year. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to determine the association of major elements. Stepwise regression was used to develop model for predicting LL nutrients based on dry weight and duration of days. Results determine that the decomposition rate was recorded 70.40 - 71.65 percent, however, 16.60, 64.87, 50.00, and 86.82 percent LL C, N, P, and K are released respectively after one year. The PCA - 1 and PCA - 2 explain 51 and 33 percent variation respectively. PCA - 1 positively associated with C and N and negative with C/N and C/N/P. PCA - 2 positively associated with C/N and C/N/P and negative with P. Regression model predicts that dry weight positively determines LL nutrient and duration of days negatively determines LL nutrient excepting LL C. Result highlight that LL C takes time for mineralization compared to other nutrients. Our finding provides insight into the scientific utilization of LL ultimately helps nutrient cycling