Application of a rapid thin section method for observations on decomposing litter in mor humus form in a subalpine coniferous forest：（应用快速薄片观察方法在铁道部分解垃圾腐殖质形成亚高山针叶林）.pdfVIP

Ecological Research (1997) 12, 289-300 Application of a rapid thin section method for observations on decomposing litter in mor humus form in a subalpine coniferous forest XING-JUN TIAN, 1HIROSHI TAKEDA1AND TATSUO ANDO2 1Laboratory of Forest Ecology, Graduate School ofAgricultural Science, Kyoto University,Kyoto 606-01, Japan and 2Institutefor Basin Ecosystem Studies, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan Morphological changes in the decomposing litter ofAbies spp. and Betula spp. in a mor humus form were studied by a rapid thin section method. According to the morphological characteristics, the epidermis, mesophyll and vascular bundle ofAbies needle litter were classified into four types: (i) newly fallen; (ii) slightly decomposed; (iii) moderately decomposed; and (iv) greatly decomposed. The distribution of these tissue types along the profile of the forest floor was then investigated. The morphological changes in other litter types, such as branches, scales and Betula leaves during decomposition were observed directly with microscope and electron microscope. Five vertical thin sections and 80 horizontal thin sections were used for these observations and investigations. The decomposition of Abies litter was slower than that of Betula litter. The relative decomposition rate of the tissues was in the order of: mesophyll vascular bundle epidermis in Abies needles; mesophyll _epidermis vascular bundles in Betula leaves; and inner bark xylem outer bark in both Abies and Betula branches. The last remains of the litter were usually stoma- ta, segments of seminif