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Root decomposition and soil nutrient and carbon cycling in two temperate fen ecosystems
Author(s) -
Scheffer Robbert A.,
Aerts Rien
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0706.2000.910316.x
Subject(s) - carex , sphagnum , nutrient cycle , botany , litter , nutrient , soil organic matter , chemistry , agronomy , plant litter , peat , ecology , biology , soil water
Although root litter contributes to a large extent to soil organic matter accumulation in peatlands, decomposition of root litter is often neglected in studies on litter decomposition and carbon and nutrient cycling in these ecosystems. In this study, decomposition of root and rhizome litter of Carex diandra and Carex lasiocarpa was determined in two temperate fens, one dominated by Sphagnum species ( Sphagnum fen; soil pH=4.4) and one without a Sphagnum cover ( Carex fen; soil pH=5.7). One‐year mass loss increased in the order: roots Carex diandra