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Litter decomposition: what controls it and how can we alter it to sequester more carbon in forest soils

Biogeochemistry, 2010-12, Vol.101 (1-3), p.133-149 [Peer Reviewed Journal]

2010 Springer ;Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 ;2015 INIST-CNRS ;ISSN: 0168-2563 ;EISSN: 1573-515X ;DOI: 10.1007/s10533-010-9439-0 ;CODEN: BIOGEP

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Title:
Litter decomposition: what controls it and how can we alter it to sequester more carbon in forest soils
Author: Prescott, Cindy E
Subjects: Animal and plant ecology ; Animal, plant and microbial ecology ; Biogeosciences ; Biological and medical sciences ; Carbon ; carbon sequestration ; Decomposition ; Earth and Environmental Science ; Earth Sciences ; Earth, ocean, space ; Ecosystems ; Environmental Chemistry ; Exact sciences and technology ; Forest litter ; forest management ; Forest soils ; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology ; Geochemistry ; humification ; Humus ; Life Sciences ; Litter ; Litter chemistry ; Litter decomposition ; Litter quality ; Mineral soils ; Nitrogen fertilization ; Organic soils ; Plant functional trait analysis ; Plant litter ; Soil and rock geochemistry ; Soil biochemistry ; Soil ecology ; Soil organic matter ; Soil pollution ; Soils ; Surficial geology ; Synecology ; Terrestrial ecosystems ; Threshold analysis ; Tree species effects
Is Part Of: Biogeochemistry, 2010-12, Vol.101 (1-3), p.133-149
Description: Key recent developments in litter decomposition research are reviewed. Long-term inter-site experiments indicate that temperature and moisture influence early rates of litter decomposition primarily by determining the plants present, suggesting that climate change effects will be small unless they alter the plant forms present. Thresholds may exist at which single factors control decay rate. Litter decomposes faster where the litter type naturally occurs. Elevated CO₂ concentrations have little effect on litter decomposition rates. Plant tissues are not decay-resistant; it is microbial and biochemical transformations of materials into novel recalcitrant compounds rather than selective preservation of recalcitrant compounds that creates stable organic matter. Altering single characteristics of litter will not substantially alter decomposition rates. Nitrogen addition frequently leads to greater stabilization into humus through a combination of chemical reactions and enzyme inhibition. To sequester more C in soil, we need to consider not how to slow decomposition, but rather how to divert more litter into humus through microbial and chemical reactions rather than allowing it to decompose. The optimal strategy is to have litter transformed into humic substances and then chemically or physically protected in mineral soil. Adding N through fertilization and N-fixing plants is a feasible means of stimulating humification.
Publisher: Dordrecht: Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands
Language: English
Identifier: ISSN: 0168-2563
EISSN: 1573-515X
DOI: 10.1007/s10533-010-9439-0
CODEN: BIOGEP
Source: Alma/SFX Local Collection
ProQuest Central

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Litter decomposition: what controls it and how can we alter it to sequester more carbon in forest soils

2010 Springer ;Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 ;2015 INIST-CNRS ;ISSN: 0168-2563 ;EISSN: 1573-515X ;DOI: 10.1007/s10533-010-9439-0 ;CODEN: BIOGEP

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