Global-scale similarities in nitrogen release patterns during long-term decomposition.
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.
Parton
William
W
Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University, 200 West Lake, Campus Mail 1499, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1499, USA.
Silver
Whendee L
WL
Burke
Ingrid C
IC
Grassens
Leo
L
Harmon
Mark E
ME
Currie
William S
WS
King
Jennifer Y
JY
Adair
E Carol
EC
Brandt
Leslie A
LA
Hart
Stephen C
SC
Fasth
Becky
B
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
D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen