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NITROGEN ADDITIONS AND LITTER DECOMPOSITION: A META‐ANALYSIS
Author(s) -
Knorr M.,
Frey S. D.,
Curtis P. S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.1890/05-0150
Subject(s) - litter , decomposition , nitrogen , deposition (geology) , chemistry , human fertilization , zoology , plant litter , fertilizer , environmental chemistry , ecology , agronomy , environmental science , nutrient , biology , paleontology , sediment , organic chemistry
We conducted a meta‐analysis of previously published empirical studies that have examined the effects of nitrogen (N) enrichment on litter decomposition. Our objective was to provide a synthesis of existing data that comprehensively and quantitatively evaluates how environmental and experimental factors interact with N additions to influence litter mass loss. Nitrogen enrichment, when averaged across all studies, had no statistically significant effect on litter decay. However, we observed significant effects of fertilization rate, site‐specific ambient N‐deposition level, and litter quality. Litter decomposition was inhibited by N additions when fertilization rates were 2–20 times the anthropogenic N‐deposition level, when ambient N deposition was 5–10 kg N·ha −1 ·yr −1 , or when litter quality was low (typically high‐lignin litters). Decomposition was stimulated at field sites exposed to low ambient N deposition (<5 kg N·ha −1 ·yr −1 ) and for high‐quality (low‐lignin) litters. Fertilizer type, litterbag mesh size, and climate did not influence the litter decay response to N additions.