Book
Climatic Environment.
| Title: | Climatic Environment. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Berg, Björn, McClaugherty, Charles |
| Source: | Plant Litter; 2008, p149-173, 25p |
| Abstract: | Climate has a dominant effect on litter decomposition rates on a regional scale, whereas litter quality dominates on a local level (Meentemeyer 1984). Thus, at a given site and climate, one should expect differences in mass-loss rates of litters to be related primarily to their chemical and physical properties. Many studies have demonstrated such relationships (Fogel and Cromack 1977; Aber and Melillo 1982; Upadhyay and Singh 1985; McClaugherty et al. 1985; Dyer 1986). As the decay of litter progresses through time, the constituents that regulate the rate of mass loss can change. Berg and Staaf (1980a) presented a schematic model of these litter decay stages, later modified by Berg and Matzner (1997; cf. Chap. 6). Thus, earlystage decomposition is controlled primarily by concentrations of limiting main nutrients, especially N and P, whereas lignin decomposition exerts the dominant control in the later stages. The delivery of heat and moisture to the litter will exert a control over the rate at which the decay phases postulated by Berg and Staaf (1980a) can proceed. Thus, in one climatic regime, the early, nutrient-controlled phase could persist, while in other regimes this phase could be quickly passed (Dyer et al. 1990). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/978-3-540-74923-3_7 |
| Database: | Supplemental Index |
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