Litter decomposition: measuring relative contributions of organic matter and nitrogen to forest soils
Authors:
- John D. AberJAJohn D. Aber
- Jerry M. MelilloJMJerry M. Melillo
- 15 February 1980
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Canadian Science Publishing in Canadian Journal of Botany
- Vol. 58 (4) , 416-421
Abstract
The relative contribution of different types of litter to the maintenance of soil organic matter and nitrogen levels cannot be determined from standard litter bag disappearance studies. By coupling measurements of weight loss with nitrogen dynamics and presenting results in a new format, estimates of both state of decay and percentage of material eventually transferred to lower soil horizons can be obtained.Keywords
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