Macroclimate and Lignin Control of Litter Decomposition Rates

Meentemeyer, Vernon

doi:10.2307/1936576

Cited by 1,289 publications

(834 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…These results are consistent with more empirical models of litter decay, such as that by Meentemeyer [1978], in which climatic factors exert stronger control on decay rates than litter quality. However, Meentemeyer's model has been Models demonstrated sensitivities to two aspects of litter quality: proximate carbon fractions and nitrogen content.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationssupporting

confidence: 89%

“…However, the LIDET study was designed specifically to examine the effects of initial litter quality and prevailing site conditions on longterm changes in litter mass and quality. Although this permits extrapolating beyond limitations of earlier, general models [e.g., Meentemeyer, 1978], it still includes restrictions imposed by the experimental design. The scope and resolution of the empirical data limit the level of mechanism that can be included in models, and insights that can be gained to shortterm changes in litter chemistry and nitrogen dynamics.…”

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Climate and litter quality controls on decomposition: An analysis of modeling approaches

Moorhead¹,

Currie²,

Rastetter³

et al. 1999

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

109

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Abstract. Four mathematical models simulated decay of two litter types of contrasting quality over a 2-year period at four sites in North America. The litter types were Drypetes glauca and Triticum aestivum, representing litter with high and low nitrogen:lignin ratios, respectively. The field sites were an Arctic tussock tundra (Alaska, United States), a warm desert (New Mexico, United States), a temperate deciduous forest (New York, United States) and a tropical rain forest (Puerto Rico). Models captured the overall patterns of site and litter quality controls on decomposition; both simulated and observed mass losses were higher in warm, moist environments (both forests) than in cold (tundra) or dry sites (desert), and simulated and observed decay was more rapid for Drypetes than Triticum. However, predictions tended to underestimate litter mass loss in the tropical forest and overestimate decay in the desert and tundra, suggesting that site controls in model formulations require refinement for use under such a broad range of conditions. Also, predicted nitrogen content of litter residues was lower than observed in Drypetes litter and higher than observed for Triticum. Thus mechanisms describing loss of nitrogen from highquality litter and nitrogen immobilization by low-quality litter were not captured by model structure. Individual model behaviors revealed different sensitivities to controlling factors that were related to differences in model formulation. As these models represent working hypotheses regarding the process of litter decay, results emphasize the need for greater resolution of climate and litter quality controls. Results also demonstrate the need for finer resolution of the relationships between carbon and nitrogen dynamics during decomposition.

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Section: Conclusion and Recommendationssupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Conclusion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate and litter quality controls on decomposition: An analysis of modeling approaches

Moorhead¹,

Currie²,

Rastetter³

et al. 1999

Global Biogeochemical Cycles

109

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Additionally, there may be other key biochemical factors influencing the quality of the fungal necromass. Litters with high concentrations of recalcitrant compounds tend to have slower decomposition rates due to their resistance to enzymatic breakdown (Meentemeyer, 1978;Melillo et al, 1982). Lignin is a compound found in plant tissues that is, relative to many other compounds, quite resistant to decomposition due to its complex and irregular molecular structure.…”

Section: Necromass Stoichiometrymentioning

confidence: 99%

The decomposition of ectomycorrhizal fungal necromass

Fernandez¹,

Langley

Chapman

et al. 2016

Soil Biology and Biochemistry

172

109

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a b s t r a c tThe turnover of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal biomass represents a significant input into forest carbon (C) and nutrient cycles. Given the size of these fluxes, understanding the factors that control the decomposition of this necromass will greatly improve understanding of C and nutrient cycling in ecosystems. Recent research has highlighted the considerable variation in the decomposition rates of EM fungal necromass, and patterns from this research are beginning to emerge. In this article we review the research that has examined both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that control the decomposition of EM fungal necromass and propose additional factors that may strongly influence EM fungal necromass decomposition and ecosystem properties. We argue that, as with most plant litters, the stoichiometry (C:N) of EM necromass is an important factor governing decomposition, but its role is modulated by the nature of the C and N in the tissue. In particular, melanin concentration appears to negatively influence the quality of EM fungal necromass much as lignin does in plant litters. Other intrinsic factors such as the morphology of the mycelium may also play a large role and suggest this as a focus for future research. Extrinsic factors, such as decomposer community activity and physical protection by soil, are also likely to be important in governing the decomposition of ectomycorrhizal necromass in situ. Finally, we highlight the potential importance of EM fungal necromass diversity and abundance in influencing terrestrial biogeochemical cycles. Understanding the factors that control the decomposition of EM necromass will then improve the predictive power of next-generation terrestrial biosphere models.

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“…The role of climatic factors in affecting litter mass loss has received much attention in ecological studies so that, at a global scale, mean annual temperature and actual evapotranspiration were shown to have the strongest influence [Meentemeyer, 1978;Aerts, 1997;Gholz et al, 2000;Liski et al, 2003].…”

Section: Climatementioning

confidence: 99%