The contribution of abiotic processes to buried litter decomposition in the northern Chihuahuan desert |
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Authors: | Daryl L Moorhead James F Reynolds |
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Institution: | (1) Systems Ecology Research Group, College of Sciences, San Diego State University, 92182 San Diego, CA, USA |
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Abstract: | Summary Creosobebush (Larrea tridentata) fine litter was treated with either the general biocide HgCl2 and CuSO4 or water (controls) and buried 5 cm beneath the soil surface in the northern Chihuahuan Desert. The treated litter showed significantly less mass loss than controls during the three month summer-autumn field study; controls lost about 20% of the original mass while treated litter lost less than 2%. In addition, the total nitrogen content of the control litter increased from an initial concentration of about 14.08 g kg-1 to 17.62 g kg-1 dry weight by the end of the study, while treated litter nitrogen content decreased to 13.30 g kg-1. Results suggest abiotic processes other than leaching have little effect on the decomposition of buried litter in this environment. |
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Keywords: | Decomposition Buried Litter Abiotic Deserts |
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