Using the biomass-ratio and idiosyncratic hypotheses to predict mixed-species litter decomposition.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

A test is made of the acceptability of the biomass-ratio hypothesis (BMRH), operationalized as community-weighted means (CWMs), and of a new hypothesis (idiosyncratic annulment), for predicting the decomposition of multispecies litter mixtures. Specifically, (1) does the BMRH based on monoculture decomposition rates introduce systematic over- or underestimation of rates in mixtures? and (2) does the degree of variability of these rates decrease with increasing species richness (SR) beyond that expected from purely mathematical causes?

Methods

Decomposition rates (mg g(-1) d(-1)) of litter from six tree species in microcosms were measured under controlled conditions during 18 weeks of incubation, alone and in all possible combinations of two, three, five a

SUBMITTER: Tardif A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3523654 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature