Long-term Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus Dynamics of Leaf and Fine Root Litter in North American Ecosytems:

The Long-term Intersite Decomposition Experiment Team.

LIDET Data from the Virginia Coast Reserve

Date: August 1992 ; Update March 1996 JMS

Keywords: decomposition, decay rates, litterbags, leaf litter, fine roots, wood, nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon fractions.


STUDY PURPOSE, GOALS:

The primary objective of this study is to examine the control that substrate quality and climate have on patterns of long-term decomposition and nitrogen accumulation in above- and below-ground fine litter. Of particular interest will be to examine the degree these two factors control the formation of stable organic matter and nitrogen after extensive decay.

The Virginia Coast Reserve LTER is 1 of 28 participating sites that make up the Long-term Intersite Decomposition Experiment Team. This research is funded, in part, by a grant from NSF-Ecosystems Studies (BSR-9180329). For more information about the entire project, contact Mark Harmon. The VCR-LTER contact is Linda Blum.

References and Citations

References and Citations for this data are x x in addition to those listed in the abstract and update. Please be sure to include reference to the above grant numbers.


CONTENTS