Spatiotemporal variations of manganese-mediated litter decompositions across oxic-anoxic transitions in deciduous forest soils

Manganese (Mn) has been demonstrated to be a significant driver of litter decomposition in forest soils, regulating nutrient cycling, CO₂ production, and ultimately soil carbon storage across forest systems globally. Recent evidence suggests that Mn-driven litter decomposition is dependent on ubiquitous oxic-anoxic interfaces in soils, which act as potential hotspots for the formation of reactive Mn(III) oxidants. Here we will show how oxic-anoxic interfaces in forest soils, arising from spatiotemporal variations in moisture, affect Mn(III)-driven litter decomposition. To do this, we tested the effect of in-field Mn additions on litter decomposition along a deciduous forest upland-to-wetland transect exhibiting dynamics in oxic-anoxic transitions. Within Mn-amended litterbags incubated across the transect, we monitored spatiotemporal variations in Mn(III) formation and litter decomposition. Over the course of the experiment, increased Mn amendments in litter correlated with both enhanced CO₂ production as greater mass loss compared to untreated litter, particularly during periods of greater Mn(II) oxidation. Wet-chemical extractions revealed increasing Mn(II) oxidation over the growing season in elevated Mn treatments, resulting in enhanced Mn(III) formation. Additionally, the greater abundance of Mn(III) phases in Mn treated litter compared to untreated litter was significantly correlated to a greater degree of oxidation in the litter and greater water extractability of litter carbon, demonstrating enhanced litter decomposition in Mn amended litter. Across the forest transect, Mn oxidation and Mn(III) formation were greatest at sites with greater presence of oxic-anoxic transitions, which coincided with the sites exhibiting higher litter decomposition. Therefore, our results show that Mn(III)-mediated litter decomposition occur in hotspots present at oxic-anoxic interfaces across spatiotemporal gradients in forest soils. These findings provide first insights into the spatiotemporal links between Mn and carbon coupled redox cycling in forest ecosystems.