Litter plays a key role in maintaining the nutrient cycle of the forest ecosystem. The dynamics of litter trace elements (TEs) can influence litter decomposition and biogeochemical cycling across plant and soil systems. However, our understanding of the biogeochemical cycle of TEs during litter decomposition remains limited. We investigated litter production, the concentrations and fluxes of needle litter TEs over 1 year, and the accumulation and release patterns of TEs at different elevations and canopy coverage during litter decomposition over 3.9 years for the Qinghai spruce in the Qilian Mountains. The concentrations and fluxes of TEs in the needle litter decreased in the following order: Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd > Ag. TEs concentrations increased with decomposition time at different elevations, and Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Cd accumulated the fastest at 2850 m. Zn and Ag accumulated the fastest at 3450 and 3050 m, respectively. The fastest accumulation trends were for Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ag, and Cd concentrations at low canopy coverage. Cr accumulated the fastest at middle canopy coverage. The concentrations of Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ag, and Cd followed the trend of enrichment–release–enrichment, while Ni and Cr concentrations followed the trends of release–enrichment and sustained enrichment, respectively. Our study is important for an improved understanding of the TE cycle during litter decomposition. It provides theoretical support for healthy soil management and element cycling in the forest of the Qilian Mountains.

凋落物在维持森林生态系统的养分循环方面发挥着关键作用。凋落物微量元素 (TE) 的动态可以影响植物和土壤系统的凋落物分解和生物地球化学循环。然而，我们对凋落物分解过程中 TE 的生物地球化学循环的了解仍然有限。调查了祁连山青海云杉3.9年的凋落物产生量、针叶凋落物TEs的浓度和通量，以及凋落物分解过程中不同海拔和冠层覆盖度的TEs积累和释放模式。针叶凋落物中 TE 的浓度和通量按以下顺序降低：Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb > Co > Cd > Ag。不同海拔处TEs浓度随着分解时间的延长而增加，其中Co、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Cd在2850 m处累积最快。 Zn和Ag分别在3450米和3050米处积累最快。最快的累积趋势是低冠层覆盖度下的 Co、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn、Ag 和 Cd 浓度。 Cr 在中冠层覆盖处积累最快。 Co、Cu、Pb、Zn、Ag、Cd的浓度呈现富集-释放-富集的趋势，Ni和Cr的浓度分别呈现释放-富集和持续富集的趋势。我们的研究对于加深对垃圾分解过程中 TE 循环的理解非常重要。为祁连山森林土壤健康管理和元素循环提供理论支持。