Decomposition of Herbivore-Damaged Leaves of Understory Species Growing in Oak and Pine Stands

Leaves are the largest component of forest litter. Their decomposition rate depends mainly on plant species, leaf chemical composition, microorganism biodiversity, and habitat conditions. It is known that herbivory by insects can modify composition leaves, such as through induction. The aim this study was to determine whether related susceptibility species insect feeding how damage affects rate. For our research, we chose six differing in resistance damage: Cornus sanguinea, Frangula alnus, Sambucus nigra (herbivore resistant), Corylus avellana, P. padus, Prunus serotina susceptible). these leaves examined two monoculture stands, deciduous (Quercus robur) coniferous (Pinus sylvestris). Litter decay k change litter mass, content defensive metabolites (total phenols (TPh) condensed tannins), substances beneficial for organisms decomposing (nitrogen (N) nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC)) were determined. Contrary expectations, herbivore-resistant decomposed faster than herbivore-susceptible damaged decayed undamaged leaves. We found decaying had a lower compounds higher TNC N, regardless or damage. Leaf caused large rapid decrease TNC, an increase N. In all tannin This pattern also observed TPh, except S. nigra. interpret main reason Moreover, loss mass greater under oak pine indicating microorganisms stands more effective at litter,