Measuring Decomposition, Nutrient Turnover, and Stores in Plant Litter

Abstract

Abstract Decomposition processes represent a major flux of both fixed carbon (C) and nutrients in most terrestrial ecosystems, and quantifying rates of litter mass loss and the concomitant changes in nutrients bound in the litter are important aspects of evaluating ecosystem function. Plant litter decomposition plays an important role in determining carbon and nutrient accumulation, as well as the rate and timing of nutrient release in forms available for uptake by plants and soil biota. Litter decomposition and nutrient dynamics are controlled to varying degrees by substrate quality (litter morphology and chemistry), abiotic conditions (temperature, moisture, soil texture), and biotic activity (microbial and fauna!; Kurcheva 1960; Heath et al. 1964; Bunnell et al. 1977; Bunnell and Tate 1977; Parton et al. 1987). Thus, decomposition processes can serve as “‘integrating variables”‘ for evaluating ecosystem function, for comparing different ecosystems, and for evaluating management practices or other anthropogenic influences (Coleman and Crossley 1996).