Overview

The present book gives a modernized and comprehensive overview of the degradation of major litter components as well as the sum of processes when forest plant litter decomposes, releases nutrients and turns into humus. Covering mainly boreal and temperate forests, the book gives a synthesis of the different sub-processes on the basis that decomposition is microbially mediated and develops a system in the decomposition processes leading to chemical changes in litter. Further, it introduces a conceptual model for litter transformations from litter fall until the decomposing litter accumulates as humus. The effects of substrate quality, climate, and their interactions on decomposition are presented as well as examples of litter types that break the basic pattern. A system is suggested for humus accumulation rates among forest systems, a system that may be a starting point for estimates of carbon sequestration in forest systems.

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9783540443292

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Reviews

<p>From the reviews: <p> <p> The authors of the volume ???Plant Litter??? present an up-to-date and interesting contribution ??? . The book is well arranged, relatively easy to read, contains fantastic graphics ??? . this fundamental and rather detailed book is an absolutely necessary resource about transformation and decomposition of plant litter ... . In summary, we strongly recommend this book for all scientists concerned with ??? plant litter ??? . The authors can be congratulated for their impressive efforts in publishing this highly professional volume. (Oliver Bens, Reinhard F. H??ttl, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 161, 2004) <p> The work of Berg and Mc Claugerthy resumes the state of the art concerning litter decomposition mainly in boreal forests but also in a few temperate situations. ??? this book is a remarkable synthesis of the current knowledge about the decomposition of plant residues in forest ecosystems. ??? This book is well structured and gives a comprehensive overview about the process of litter decompositions and it is a well written synthesis of the enormous work done by B.Berg during the last two decades. (Bernd Zeller, Annals of Forest Science, Issue 2, 2004)

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