Termites amplify the effects of wood traits on decomposition rates among multiple bamboo and dicot woody species

摘要: Wood decomposition is a key process in the terrestrial carbon cycle, controlling storage with feedback to climate. In (sub) tropical forest, termites are major players wood decomposition, but their role relative that of microbial decomposers and traits different tree species poorly understood. The current literature also has strong bias towards dicot while abundant woody monocots, particularly bamboos, contribute greatly cycling. Here, we present first experiment disentangle effects dead termite activity on 66 angiosperm wide-ranging phylogenetic position: 31 eight non-bamboo Poaceae, 18 eudicots nine magnoliids. We incubated stems up 4 size classes per common garden' S China. tested hypotheses (i) bamboo (monocots) less decomposable than or magnoliids; (ii) both microbial- termite-driven show negative relationships initial density dry matter content. Bamboo generally decomposed more slowly only slightly slower at given diameter. clades decreased Termites contributed this pattern, explaining 53.4% variance preferentially attacking lower density, which corresponded thicker outer culm walls case species. Thus, strongly strengthen relationship between species' litter as driven by activity.Synthesis. These previously unknown among quality, diameter, decomposing microbes monocots dicots will advance our understanding driving mechanisms its contribution global cycle.