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Decomposition of needle-, herb-, root-litter, and Of-layer-humus in three Scots pine stands

  • Chapter
Changes of Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects on Forest Ecosystems

Part of the book series: Nutrients in Ecosystems ((NECO,volume 3))

Abstract

The processes of litter decomposition, mineralization, and humus accumulation have early been recognized to be crucial for nutrient storage and supply to plants (e.g. Bocock and Gilbert, 1957; Falconer et al., 1933; Gustafson, 1943; Lunt 1935; Minderman, 1968; Shanks and Olson, 1961; Witkamp and Olson, 1963). Climatic conditions and litter quality greatly influence the process of litter decomposition (Couteaux et al., 1995; Fog, 1988). Concerning the litter quality, changes in the kind and amount of mineral and organic compounds during decomposition were measured and discussed with respect to their availability or decomposition-enhancing or-retarding effects. The course of decomposition was described mathematically in order to make the turnover-and accumulation-processes of different types of litter and soil humus comparable among each other (e.g. Jenny et al., 1949; Olson, 1963). Several researchers emphasized that the decomposition course should not be represented by simple exponential functions because of the complex composition of organic material (e.g. Howard and Howard, 1974; Minderman, 1968).

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Authors
  1. C. Bergmann
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  2. T. Fischer
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  3. R. F. Hüttl
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Protection and Recultivation, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany

    Reinhard F. Hüttl (Chair) (Chair)

  2. Berlin, Germany

    Klaus Bellmann

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Bergmann, C., Fischer, T., Hüttl, R.F. (1998). Decomposition of needle-, herb-, root-litter, and Of-layer-humus in three Scots pine stands. In: Hüttl, R.F., Bellmann, K. (eds) Changes of Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects on Forest Ecosystems. Nutrients in Ecosystems, vol 3. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9022-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9022-8_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-5224-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-015-9022-8

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