Leaf Litter Decomposition

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Litter decomposition provides the base of food webs for both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

"Litter decomposition is defined as the process through which dead organic material is broken down into particles of progressively smaller size, until the structure can no longer be recognized, and organic molecules are mineralized to their prime constituents: H2O, CO2 and mineral components"[1]


Research Methodologies

Northern Arizona University

The Kraken

Photo of the outside of the 'Kraken' a structure at the Arboretum in Flagstaff, Arizona where research pertaining to litter decomposition is conducted.

Related

Carbon Stocks; Carbon cycle; Functional complexity; Aquatic Carbon Fluxes

Sources