Comparative study of leaf litter decomposition of exotic and native species in an ecotop of the hornbeam-oak forest near Báb village, SW Slovakia

Abstract

We present here a comparative study of leaf litter decomposition in some exotic and native species
in a hornbeam-oak forest ecosystem. We focused on the exotic invasive species Robinia pseudo-
acacia, Ailanthus altissima, Impatiens parviflora and on the expansive native species Alliaria
petiolata. These species were compared to the native co-occurring species Acer campestre and
Mercurialis perennis. In addition, we studied also cellulose decomposition and site microclimate.
We used the litter-bag method on five experimental plots within the managed part of hornbeam-
oak forest near Báb, SW Slovakia. The plots were located in closed forest, on forest edge and in
a clearing. The course of litter decomposition was fitted with the 1-phase and 2-phase negative
exponential decay model for each species. The most conspicuous loss in litter weight was detected
in case of the species Impatiens parviflora species (26% of mass remaining), followed by Alliaria
petiolata (29% of mass remaining) and Mercurialis perennis (29% of mass remaining). In woody
species, the biggest loss of litter was detected in Ailanthus altissima (45% of mass remaining),
followed by Acer campestre (63% of mass remaining) and Robinia pseudoacacia (70% of mass
remaining). Cellulose decomposition varied significantly in different habitats, with the highest
rate in the closed forest. The pattern of herbaceous species was similar. However, this effect of the
habitat was not evident in case of woody species.