Abstract
Litters from seven species of forest tree were collected and decomposed in mixture combinations (21 combinations) in laboratory microcosms. Decomposition was monitored in terms of carbon dioxide release and nutrient leaching, and the difference between expected and measured rates of these parameters evaluated. Expected values were derived from the behaviour of the individual components in single species microcosms. The data for the mixture of Quercus robur and Picea abies litters are presented in detail, as are the results from all mixtures for carbon dioxide release and nitrate leaching. The conclusion is that litters rarely decompose in mixtures in a manner which can be predicted from their behaviour as a pure litter.
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© 1992 ECSC, EEC, EAEC, Brussels and Luxembourg
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Ineson, P., Mctiernan, K. (1992). Decomposition of Foliar Litter Mixtures: A Microcosm Experiment. In: Teller, A., Mathy, P., Jeffers, J.N.R. (eds) Responses of Forest Ecosystems to Environmental Changes. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2866-7_124
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-2866-7_124
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-85166-878-6
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-2866-7
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