title: Effects of Increased Summer Precipitation and Nitrogen Addition on Root Decomposition in a Temperate Desert.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Climate change scenarios that include precipitation shifts and nitrogen (N) deposition are impacting carbon (C) budgets in arid ecosystems. Roots constitute an important part of the C cycle, but it is still unclear which factors control root mass loss and nutrient release in arid lands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Litterbags were used to investigate the decomposition rate and nutrient dynamics in root litter with water and N-addition treatments in the Gurbantunggut Desert in China. Water and N addition had no significant effect on root mass loss and the N and phosphorus content of litter residue. The loss of root litter and nutrient releases were strongly controlled by the initial lignin content and the lignin:N ratio, as evidenced by the negative correlations between decomposition rate and litter lignin content and the lignin:N ratio. Fine roots of Seriphidium santolinum (with higher initial lignin content) had a slower decomposition rate in comparison to coarse roots.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study indicate that small and temporary changes in rainfall and N deposition do not affect root decomposition patterns in the Gurbantunggut Desert. Root decomposition rates were significantly different between species, and also between fine and coarse roots, and were determined by carbon components, especially lignin content, suggesting that root litter quality may be the primary driver of belowground carbon turnover.
authors.affiliation: Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Soil and Plant Ecological Processes, College of Grassland and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China.
authors.forename: Hongmei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China.|Fukang Station of Desert Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Fukang, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China.|Fukang Station of Desert Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Fukang, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China.|Fukang Station of Desert Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xinjiang, Fukang, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Soil and Plant Ecological Processes, College of Grassland and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China.
authors.forename: Jiandong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Soil and Plant Ecological Processes, College of Grassland and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, China.
authors.forename: Hongtao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: National Engineering Technology Research Center for Desert-Oasis Ecological Construction, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi, China.
authors.forename: Congjuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D057486:Carbon Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D003889:Desert Climate; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D011891:Rain; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen