General reversal of N-decomposition relationship during long-term decomposition in boreal and temperate forests.

ABSTRACT: Decomposition of dead organic matter is fundamental to carbon (C) and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems, influencing C fluxes from the biosphere to the atmosphere. Theory predicts and evidence strongly supports that the availability of nitrogen (N) limits litter decomposition. Positive relationships between substrate N concentrations and decomposition have been embedded into ecosystem models. This decomposition paradigm, however, relies on data mostly from short-term studies analyzing controls on early-stage decomposition. We present evidence from three independent long-term decomposition investigations demonstrating that the positive N-decomposition relationship is reversed and becomes negative during later stages of decomposition. First, in a 10-y decomposition experiment across

SUBMITTER: Sun T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11098082 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature