Enzyme kinetics inform about mechanistic changes in tea litter decomposition across gradients in land-use intensity in Central German grasslands

Grassland ecosystems provide important ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and primary production that are affected by land-use intensity. To assess the effects of land-use intensity, operational and sensitive ecological indicators that integrate effects of grassland management on ecosystem processes such as organic matter turnover are needed. Here, we investigated the suitability of measuring the mass loss of standardized tea litter together with exiracellular enzyme kinetics as a proxy of litter decomposition in the topsoil of grasslands along a well-defined land-use intensity gradient (fertilization, mowing, grazing) in Central Germany. Tea bags containing either green tea (high-quality litter) or rooibos tea (low-quality litter) were buried in 5 cm soil depth. Litter mass loss was measured after three (early-stage decomposition) and 12 months (mid-stage decomposition). Based on the fluorescence measurement of the reaction product 4-methylumbelliferone, Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics (V-max: potential maximum rate of activity; K-m: substrate affinity) of five hydrolases involved in the carbon (C)-, nitrogen (N)- and phosphorus (P)-cycle (beta-glucosidase (BG), cellobiohydrolase (CBH), cellotriohydrolase (CTH), 1,4-beta-N-acetylglucosarninidase (NAG), and phosphatase (PH)) were determined in tea litter bags and in the surrounding soil. The land-use intensity index (LUI), summarizing fertilization, mowing, grazing, and in particular the frequency of mowing were identified as important drivers of early-stage tea litter decomposition. Mid-stage decomposition was influenced by grazing intensity. The higher the potential activity of all measured C-, N- and P-targeting enzymes, the higher was the decomposition of both tea litters in the early-phase. During mid-stage decomposition, individual enzyme parameters (V-max of CTH and PH, K-m of CBH) became more important. The tea hag method proved to be a suitable indicator which allows an easy and cost-effective assessment of land-use intensity effects on decay processes in manged grasslands. In combination with enzyme kinetics it is an appealing approach to identify mechanisms driving litter break down.

Automated summary

This study examined the effects of land-use intensity on litter decomposition in grasslands by measuring the mass loss of standardized litter and the kinetics of extracellular enzymes. The results showed that the land-use intensity index and the frequency of mowing were important drivers of early-stage litter decomposition, while grazing intensity influenced mid-stage decomposition. The potential activity of enzymes involved in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles was positively correlated with litter decomposition in the early phase.