Ecology · 1982 · 987 citations · 29 references
AgricultureEcologyEnvironmental SciencesCommunity EcologySoil Organic MatterTerrestrial EcologyDecomposition EcologyDecomposition ProcessesLitter DecompositionLitter ManagementOrganic Matter DecompositionOrganic Matter TurnoverDecomposition Rate ModelingExponential Decay ModelsLitter CharacteristicsLitter DynamicsMass Loss PatternsOrganic Matter Decomposition RatesPlant Litter DecompositionRate Constants
Plant litter decomposition is often studied with litter bags to compare mass loss across species, sites, and treatments, yet data analysis varies and can be inappropriate. The authors review two main analytical approaches: ANOVA for comparing treatment means and mathematical model fitting for estimating decomposition rate constants. They find that single‑ and double‑exponential models best capture mass loss over time, providing biologically realistic descriptions. Full text available on JSTOR.
The study of plant litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems commonly employs litter bags to compare the loss of mass among species, among sites, and under various experimental manipulations, or to investigate the process itself. Analysis of the resulting data is quite variable among investigators, and at times inappropriate. Two general analytical approaches to the examination of decomposition data are reviewed. Analysis of variance is useful if the intent is to compare treatment means, but does not directly test hypotheses regarding decomposition rates. If the intent is to determine rate constants, than fitting mathematical models to data is the more appropriate analysis. Single and double exponential models best describe the loss of mass over time with an element of biological realism. See full-text article at JSTOR
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Technometrics · 2005 · 18.1K citations
Business, Biostatistics, Mathematics +17
Macroclimate and Lignin Control of Litter Decomposition Rates
Vernon Meentemeyer · Ecology · 1978 · 1.4K citations