Lesson 32 Mineral Cycling - Alaska Geobotany Center
Lesson 32 Mineral Cycling - Alaska Geobotany Center
Lesson 32 Mineral Cycling - Alaska Geobotany Center
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Litter bags and dowels for measuring decomposition rates<br />
Litter bag data containing Andropogon gerardii from Konza Prairie, (Seastedt 1988).<br />
Litter bags as part of the LIDET experiment.<br />
• Litter bags are mesh bags that allow entry of decomposers. The bags contain a known weight<br />
of a plant.<br />
• The LIDET (Long-term Intersite Decomposition Experiment Team) is examining long-term<br />
Carbon and Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Dynamics of Leaf and Fine Root Litter in North<br />
American ecosystems.<br />
• The experiment involves 28 sites, 10 types of standard litter (leaves, stems, roots), 10<br />
replicates each, and wide array of biomes, and will last 10 years.<br />
• Data above from Konza Prairie shows rapid loss of mass during first 203 days, leaving the<br />
more recalcitrant material. The apparent increase in N is due to microbial and fungal<br />
additions.<br />
Litterbags<br />
Wooden dowels placed as part of the LIDET<br />
experiment. Photos courtesy of<br />
http://www.fsl.orst.edu/lter/research/intersite/lidet/lidet_met<br />
h/lidet.htm<br />
Litter bags in High Arctic on Banks Island.<br />
Photo courtesy of G. Gonzalez
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