Plant Litter: Decomposition, Humus Formation, Carbon Sequestration

✍ Scribed by Björn Berg, Charles McClaugherty (auth.)

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
• Year: 2014
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 324
• Edition: 3
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Since the publication of the 2^nd edition, there have been substantial developments in the field of litter decomposition. This fully revised and updated 3^rd edition of Plant Litter reflects and discusses new findings and re-evaluates earlier ones in light of recent research and with regard to current areas of investigation.

The availability of several long-term studies allows a more in-depth approach to decomposition patterns and to the later stages of decomposition, as well as to humus formation and accumulation.

The latest information focuses on three fields:

- the effects of manganese on decomposition and possibly on carbon sequestration,

- new findings on decomposition dynamics, and

- the new analytical technique using ¹³C-NMR.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Introduction....Pages 1-10
Decomposition as a Process: Some Main Features....Pages 11-34
Decomposer Organisms....Pages 35-52
Initial Litter Chemical Composition....Pages 53-83
Changes in Substrate Composition during Decomposition....Pages 85-107
Chemical Constituents as Rate Regulating: Initial Variation and Changes during Decomposition. New and Traditional Analytical Techniques....Pages 109-142
Climatic Environment....Pages 143-170
Decomposition of Fine Root and Woody Litter....Pages 171-187
Models that Describe Litter Decomposition....Pages 189-199
Some Possible Influences on Decomposition Pattern, Regression Model, Stable Fraction, and C Sequestration....Pages 201-214
Does Humus Accumulate and Where? What Factors May Influence?....Pages 215-234
Estimating Carbon Sequestration Rates on a Regional Scale....Pages 235-264
Back Matter....Pages 265-315

✦ Subjects

Ecology; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Nature Conservation; Plant Sciences; Microbiology