International Journal of Molecular Ecology and Conservation, 2025, Vol.15, No.5, 206-216 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmec 2 13 when studying the global material cycle, we need to consider the restrictive effects of different regional environments on decomposition, as well as the potential release risks of huge carbon pools in these regions (Liu et al., 2018; Zhao et al., 2025). 7 Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling Changes in the Context of Global Change 7.1 Dual effects of climate warming on the decomposition process Global warming is believed to have a complex and dual impact on the decomposition process of fallen leaves, which may either accelerate decomposition or inhibit it under certain conditions (Schwieger et al., 2025). On the one hand, an increase in temperature usually enhances the metabolic activity of microorganisms and soil animals, so it is predicted that the overall decomposition rate will rise. This is particularly evident in temperature-constrained regions such as high latitudes and high altitudes: warming can extend the effective decomposition period and increase the peak decomposition rate, accelerating the originally slow process of leaf decomposition (Wu et al., 2025). On the other hand, warming is often accompanied by other environmental changes, such as variations in soil moisture conditions, thereby exerting an inhibitory effect on decomposition. In warm and slightly arid regions, temperature rise will intensify evaporation, leading to soil dryness. Microorganisms, under water stress, will instead become less active and their decomposition rate may decrease (Schwieger et al., 2025). 7.2 The influence of fallen leaves of alien species on the decomposition process Invasive alien plants often have a profound impact on the decomposition process and nutrient cycling through their deciduous properties and interactions with indigenous decomposed food webs. The fallen leaves of some invasive plants decompose rapidly and release nutrients quickly, thereby increasing the nutrient cycling rate of the local area. Some others may contain inhibitory chemicals or extremely low-quality fallen leaves, which slow down the decomposition rate of fallen leaves from native species and alter soil nutrient dynamics (Hu et al., 2022). Invasive alien plants can significantly accelerate or slow down the decomposition process through changes in the quantity and quality of their fallen leaves, and lead to a "redistribution" or "imbalance" in the nutrient cycle. These effects often further feedback to promote the invasion or affect the resilience of the ecosystem, which is an important manifestation of the impact of biological invasion on ecosystem functions. 7.3 Interference of land use change on the input and decomposition environment of fallen leaves The changes in human land use patterns (such as deforestation, agricultural reclamation, urbanization, etc.) have profoundly affected the input volume and decomposition environment of fallen leaves, thereby disrupting the original nutrient cycling pattern of the ecosystem. Land use patterns have an impact on the decomposition process of fallen leaves from three aspects: vegetation, microclimate and soil organisms. If human interference leads to a reduction in the input of fallen leaves or the environment is not conducive to decomposition, the nutrient cycling within the ecosystem will weaken, and it will have to rely on artificial fertilization to maintain productivity. This is reflected in agricultural systems as a case in point. In the protection and restoration of natural ecosystems, efforts should be made to maintain or rebuild the natural environment for the input and decomposition of litter. For instance, when restoring felled areas, it is necessary to allow the retention of dead branches and fallen leaves in the forest and promote their decomposition to restore soil fertility (Li et al., 2023); In urban greening, it is also possible to try "covering with broken leaves on the spot" to reduce the loss of nutrients during cleaning. 8 Concluding Remarks The decomposition of fallen leaves is a core link in the material cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. Through decomposition, carbon and nutrients continuously circulate between plants and soil, not only providing a continuous source of nutrients for vegetation renewal, but also shaping soil structure and enhancing its fertility. Ecosystems in different regions show significant differences in decomposition rates. Tropical rainforests decompose rapidly, while cold or arid regions do so slowly. These differences are jointly determined by water and heat conditions as well as community composition. Decomposer communities play a key role in leaf decomposition. Microorganisms, especially fungi, are mainly responsible for the chemical degradation of complex organic matter, while invertebrates promote the decomposition process through physical crushing and feeding.
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