Litter Decomposition: a Guide to Carbon and Nutrient Turnover (Volume 38) (Advances in Ecological Research, Volume 38)

Litter Decomposition describes one of the most important processes in the biosphere - the decay of organic matter. It focuses on the decomposition process of foliar litter in the terrestrial systems of boreal and temperate forests due to the greater amount of data from those biomes. The availability of several long-term studies from these forest types allows a more in-depth approach to the later stages of decomposition and humus formation. Differences between the decay of woody matter and foliar litter is discussed in detail and a different pattern for decomposition is introduced. While teachers and students in more general subjects will find the most basic information on decomposition processes in this book, scientists and graduate students working on decomposition processes will be entirely satisfied with the more detailed information and the overview of the latest publications on the topic as well as the methodological chapter where practical information on methods useful in decomposition studies can be found. Abundant data sets will serve as an excellent aid in teaching process and will be also of interest to researchers specializing in this field as no thorough database exists at the moment. * Provides over 60 tables and 90 figures* Offers a conceptual 3-step model describing the different steps of the decomposition process, demonstrating changes in the organic-chemical structure and nutrient contents* Includes a synthesis of the current state of knowledge on foliar litter decomposition in natural systems * Integrates more traditional knowledge on organic matter decomposition with current problems of environmental pollution, global change, etc. * Details contemporary knowledge on organic matter decomposition

litter Decomposition Describes One Of The Most Important Processes In The Biosphere—the Decay Of Organic Matter. It Focuses On The Decomposition Process Of Foliar Litter In The Terrestrial Systems Of Boreal And Temperate Forests Due To The Greater Amount Of Data From Those Biomes. The Availability Of Several Long-term Studies From These Forest Types Allows A More In-depth Approach To The Later Stages Of Decomposition And Humus Formation. Differences Between The Decay Of Woody Matter And Foliar Litter Is Discussed In Detail And A Different Pattern For Decomposition Is Introduced.

while Teachers And Students In More General Subjects Will Find The Most Basic Information On Decomposition Processes In This Book, Scientists And Graduate Students Working On Decomposition Processes Will Be Entirely Satisfied With The More Detailed Information And The Overview Of The Latest Publications On The Topic As Well As The Methodological Chapter Where Practical Information On Methods Useful In Decomposition Studies Can Be Found. Abundant Data Sets Will Serve As An Excellent Aid In Teaching Process And Will Be Also Of Interest To Researchers Specializing In This Field As No Thorough Database Exists At The Moment.

• Provides Over 60 Tables And 90 Figures
• Offers A Conceptual 3-step Model Describing The Different Steps Of The Decomposition Process, Demonstrating Changes In The Organic-chemical Structure And Nutrient Contents
• Includes A Synthesis Of The Current State Of Knowledge On Foliar Litter Decomposition In Natural Systems
• Integrates More Traditional Knowledge On Organic Matter Decomposition With Current Problems Of Environmental Pollution, Global Change, Etc.
• Details Contemporary Knowledge On Organic Matter Decomposition

Content: Introduction Review Article Pages 1-17 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Litter Fall Review Article Pages 19-71 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Decomposers: Soil Microorganisms and Animals Review Article Pages 73-100 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Changes in Substrate Composition and Rate‐Regulating Factors during Decomposition Review Article Pages 101-155 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Nitrogen Dynamics in Decomposing Litter Review Article Pages 157-183 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Origin and Structure of Secondary Organic Matter and Sequestration of C and N Review Article Pages 185-226 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Climatic and Geographic Patterns in Decomposition Review Article Pages 227-261 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Anthropogenic Impacts on Litter Decomposition and Soil Organic Matter Review Article Pages 263-290 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Methods in Studies of Organic Matter Decay Review Article Pages 291-331 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Series Editor Page ii Preface Pages v-vi Acknowledgments Pages vii-viii Appendix I Pages 333-335 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Appendix II: Exercises Pages 337-376 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski References Pages 377-405 Björn Berg, Ryszard Laskowski Index Pages 407-421 Cumulative List of Titles Pages 423-428 List of Credits Pages 1-3 Contents Pages ix-xv This photo, taken in Niepolomice Forest near Krakow, Poland, shows the litter layer in a mixed common oak-Scots pine forest, typical for Central Europe. Scots pine needles and oak leaves, cones and pieces of bark all decompose slowly, typically building in this type of forest a layer of partly decomposed organic matter called humic layer. This type of litter and soil organic layer support rather limited numbers of invertebrates and the decomposition process is carried out mainly by microorganisms. It will take years before most of this newly shed litter will be mineralized. Different litter ingredients decompose at different pace, and the chemistry of decomposing litter dramatically changes during the decay. Photo credit: Ryszard Laskowski.