title: Global-scale similarities in nitrogen release patterns during long-term decomposition.
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.
authors.affiliation: Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, 200 West Lake, Campus Mail 1499, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499, USA.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Parton
authors.forename: Whendee L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: Ingrid C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grassens
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Harmon
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: Jennifer Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: E Carol
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Adair
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Stephen C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Becky
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fasth
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D002980:Climate; D017753:Ecosystem; D006813:Humidity; D008433:Mathematics; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000378:metabolism; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D006109:Poaceae; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen