Chemical transformations in downed logs and snags of mixed boreal species during decomposition

Abstract

Snags and downed logs are substantial components of the detrital carbon pool in boreal forests. Effects of their decomposition on chemical and physical characteristics of the forest floor remain relatively unknown. The main objective of this study was to characterize chemical transformations of decaying logs and snags of common tree species in the boreal mixedwood forest. Logs and snags from a wide range of decay classes were sampled and analyzed by solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by near-infrared spectroscopy. Little or moderate chemical changes appeared in fresh and moderately decayed snags and logs, but in well-decayed logs, substantial degradation of carbohydrates and increases in lignin concentrations occurred. Deciduous species had initially more carbohydrates than coniferous species, but decomposition narrowed their differences, and in well-decayed logs, species differed mainly in terms of their lignin concentrations. Well-decayed deciduous logs reached very low wood densities, and their integration into the forest floor and long-term preservation remains questionable. In contrast, chemical composition of well-decayed coniferous logs resembles that of lignic forest floor (i.e., forest floor originating from deadwood decomposition), with preserved lignins, carbohydrates, and alkyl carbon compounds. Decomposed coniferous wood thus contributes to chemical heterogeneity of the forest floor, possibly promoting diversity of decomposers as well as carbon retention in soils.