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Controls on carbon and nutrient solubility in live and dead Betula pubescens leaves across a boreal retrogressive chronosequence.
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  • Noomi Berg,
  • Micael Jonsson,
  • Ryan Sponseller,
  • David Wardle,
  • Daniel Metcalfe
Noomi Berg
Umeå Universitet Teknisk-Naturvetenskaplig Fakultet
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Micael Jonsson
Umeå Universitet Teknisk-Naturvetenskaplig Fakultet
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Ryan Sponseller
Umeå Universitet Teknisk-Naturvetenskaplig Fakultet
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David Wardle
Umeå University
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Daniel Metcalfe
Umeå Universitet Teknisk-Naturvetenskaplig Fakultet

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

1. Leaching – the release of elements from organic matter through dissolution in water – plays an important role in biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem processes. However, understanding the patterns in and underlying drivers of element solubility in leaves lags far behind that of other related plant traits. 2. In this study, we quantify the solubility of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) from leaves of Betula pubescens - a widespread boreal tree species - across a 5182 year postfire retrogressive chronosequence. 3. We find that P is much more soluble than C and N, and is released in solution mainly in readily accessible mineral form. Solubility patterns are strongly related to foliar chemical and structural traits, particularly for green leaves, whereas metrics related to stand structure exert a stronger influence over solubility from senesced leaf litter. 4. Overall, our results indicate that leaching could constitute an important flux of nutrients to the soil, particularly of P, and that the rate and spatio-temporal pattern of this flux appear readily predictable from foliar and ecosystem properties. Further application of the method across more species and environmental contexts should allow for rapid integration of leaching-related foliar traits into broader plant trait frameworks.
16 Aug 2024Submitted to Oikos
22 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
22 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
22 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Major
01 Nov 20241st Revision Received