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Decomposition as a Process—some Main Features

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Plant Litter

Abstract

We introduce the principles and central processes for litter decomposition. We focus on two general pathways for decomposition: a three-stage and a two-stage model, giving sequences of distinct steps in the decomposition process, and highlighting some of the principal rate-regulating factors. In the early stage (three-stage model) solubles and non-lignified holocellulose are degraded, but the decomposition is limited by access to the main nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S) and by climate. The late stage encompasses the lignified litter tissue and includes a shift in rate-regulating factors. In this stage N has a rate-suppressing effect and manganese (Mn) a rate-enhancing effect. In contrast, the two-stage model describes just lignified tissue, limited by Mn availability. As decomposition proceeds, the rate often decreases and approaches zero, resulting in a limit value with the decomposition rate falling to nearly zero. This limit value can be estimated, allowing us to distinguish a ‘stable’ litter fraction. For pine and spruce needle litter, model substrates, the limit value is higher, and the ‘stable’ fraction is smaller the higher the litter Mn concentration. The long-term stability of this ‘stable’ fraction is not known, but the stability may be increased by a higher N concentration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Forest Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Prof. Björn Berg

  2. Department of Biology, University of Mount Union, Alliance, OH, USA

    Prof. Charles McClaugherty

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  1. Prof. Björn Berg
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  2. Prof. Charles McClaugherty
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Correspondence to Björn Berg .

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Berg, B., McClaugherty, C. (2020). Decomposition as a Process—some Main Features. In: Plant Litter. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59631-6_2

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