Name:

Section:

Activity 2
Rate of Decomposition of Leaf Litter Exposed Under the Sun and kept in a Shady
Area

Decomposition of organic matter derived from plants is an important ecosystem process in

many environments, both aquatic and terrestrial because of its critical role nutrient cycling
(Rahman, Mohammed, Tsukamoto, et.al. 2013). This process underlies soil formation and the
liberalization of energy to higher trophic levels.
Litter decomposition on the other hand is characterized as the cycle through which dead
organic material is broken down into particles of progressively smaller size, until the structure can
no longer be recognized, and organic molecules are mineralized to their prime constituents: H2O,
CO2 and mineral components (Cetrufo, Francesca, et.al. 2010).
Litter production and litter decomposition are key processes of nutrients cycling in forest
ecosystems. Litter decomposition is the main way of transfer of organic matter and mineral
elements from vegetation to the soil surface as it also provides a habitat for other living things.
(Vitousek and Sanford 1986; Moraes et al. 1999; Berg and McClaugherty 2008; Oladoye et al.
2008).
According to Anderson and Swift 1983; Heal et al. 1997; Kavvadias et al. 2001, litter
decomposition rates are influenced by at least three general factors: the composition and activity
of the de-composer community, the quantitative traits of the litter and the physicochemical
environment which includes the temperature of its environment. (Anderson and Swift 1983; Heal
et al. 1997; Kavvadias et al. 2001). Hence, the rate of decomposition of the leaf litter differs with
chemical composition; abiotic factors and biotic factors (Singh and Gupta 1977; Gupta and Malik
2014).

Data Gathering
The data collection was exhibited through a litterbag experiment. This litterbag approach
is broadly used to study the decomposition at the soil surface. The fresh leaf litter is enclosed in
mesh bags, aired dried, and collected at periodic intervals for the identification of organisms
inhabiting the litterbags.
Three different leaves from different species: guyabano, (Annona muricata) guava,
(Psidium guajava) and, mango (Mangifera indica) were observed. In each species there are two
kilos of green leaves that were put separately into two mesh bags. There are six mesh bags in total
that were observed in the duration of the experiment. The six mesh bags were divided into two and
were placed into different stations. The three mesh bags containing the guyabano leaves, guava,
and mango leaves were installed in a sunlit station (replicates 1, 2, 3) while the other three mesh
bags were kept in a shady area (replicates 4, 5, 6) (See: Figures 2 and 3).
The average mass loss of leaf samples can be determined from initial and final retained
mass after each week. The experiment lasted for eight (8) weeks and in each week the mesh bags
were observed by counting the organisms present in the leaf litter bags. Further, the six litter bags
were weighed before and after the experiment.

Three different leaves from different species: guyabano, (Annona muricata) guava,
(Psidium guajava) and, mango (Mangifera indica) were used. In order to identify the rates of
decomposition of the leaf litters, the decomposers present in the mesh bags were identified and
counted thoroughly.
Weight Loss
Before the experiment has started the researchers made sure that the weight of the six mesh
bags filled with green leaves of three varying species were equal. The six mesh bags weighed 1000
grams each.
After eight weeks of observation the researchers weighed the six mesh bags again
accordingly with their stations. The three replicates that were installed in a 6 sunlit station were
replicates 1, 2 and 3 and the other three replicates 4, 5, 6 were kept in a shady station.

Abundance of Decomposers
There are different kinds of decomposer species that thrive to gain nutrients in the leaf
litter bags that were observed in the experiment. In eight weeks, there are total of ten species of
decomposers that were recorded by the researchers. The most abundant species was the black
ants.
Questions:
1. Make a line graphs of the weight loss of litter bags in each stations and make a narrative.
(i.e. The line graph of (Figure 4) shows the weight loss of the three replicates…)
2. Based on your graph, is the weight loss in litter bags in ascending or descending trend?
What could be the factors affecting its trend?
3. Which among the sites had the highest population of decomposers?
4. What is the reason for the increased decomposer count in the earlier weeks?
5. Do the time and the abundance of decomposers determine the rate of decomposition? Why?
6. Why does the weight of the leaf litter after the experiment depend on the decomposer
population?