Global-Scale Similarities in Nitrogen Release Patterns During Long-Term Decomposition
Science2007Vol. 315(5810), pp. 361–364
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William J. Parton, Whendee L. Silver, Ingrid C. Burke, Leo Grassens, Mark E. Harmon, William S. Currie, Jennifer Y. King, E. Carol Adair, Leslie A. Brandt, Stephen C. Hart, Becky Fasth
Abstract
Litter decomposition provides the primary source of mineral nitrogen (N) for biological activity in most terrestrial ecosystems. A 10-year decomposition experiment in 21 sites from seven biomes found that net N release from leaf litter is dominantly driven by the initial tissue N concentration and mass remaining regardless of climate, edaphic conditions, or biota. Arid grasslands exposed to high ultraviolet radiation were an exception, where net N release was insensitive to initial N. Roots released N linearly with decomposition and exhibited little net N immobilization. We suggest that fundamental constraints on decomposer physiologies lead to predictable global-scale patterns in net N release during decomposition.
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