Plant Litter

• Introduction.- Decomposition as a process – some main features.- Decomposer organisms.- Initial litter chemical composition.- Changes in substrate composition during decomposition.- Chemical constituents as rate regulating: initial variation and changes during decomposition. New and traditional analytical techniques.- Climatic environment.- Decomposition of fine root and woody litter.- Models that describe litter decomposition.- Some possible influences on decomposition pattern, regression model, stable fraction and C sequestration.- Does humus accumulate and where? What factors may influence? Estimating carbon sequestration rates on a regional scale.

"A major component of ecosystems and plays a major role in determining their structure and function by virtue of being the source of energy for a large diversity of heterotrophic organisms. ... provides a comprehensive account of the subject based on the extensive studies in boreal forest ecosystems. ... The fundamentals are applicable to a great extent also to the process in other climatic regions where the researchers would surely find the book useful in many ways." (Brij Gopal, International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 41 (3-4), 2015) "The book ... presents a clear, thorough introduction to plant litter decomposition processes, providing detailed coverage of specific topics and ending with a summary chapter on regional carbon sequestration rates. It contains numerous diagrams, tables, and figures, a valuable glossary, 24 pages of references, and appendixes specific to field experiments and analytical methods that will be useful to researchers for many years to come. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." (D. L. Richter, Choice, Vol. 51 (11), July, 2014) "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. Huttl, Journal of Plant Physiology, Vol. 161, 2004) "The work of Berg and Mc Claugherty 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 itis 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)