Treesearch
Litter quality is in the eye of the beholder: initial decomposition rates as a function of inoculum characteristics.
| Authors: | Michael S. Strickland, Ernest Osburn, Christian Lauber, Noah Fierer, Mark A. Bradford |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Type: | Scientific Journal |
| Station: | Southern Research Station |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01515.x |
| Source: | Functional Ecology doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2008.01515.x |
Download (PDF 568 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/33859.pdf
Abstract
1. The chemical composition of plant litter is commonly considered to indicate its quality as a resource for decomposer organisms. Litter quality, defined in this way, has been shown to be a major determinant of litter decomposition rates both within and across terrestrial ecosystems. Notably, the structure of the microbial community that is directly responsible for primary decomposition is rarely considered as an empirical predictor of litter decay rates.