Litter decomposition is a small but critical step in the soil carbon cycle. Yet, despite decades of research, many knowledge gaps remain regarding the biotic and abiotic controls on litter decay dynamics and the transfer of litter-derived carbon into soil organic matter pools. Better integration between short- and long-term biogeochemical processes is required to fully understand the importance of plant litter as an input to stable soil organic matter.
Results/Conclusions
Recent studies have challenged long-standing models of plant litter decay and suggest that patterns in litter chemistry during decomposition are sensitive to variation in decomposer communities. New insights into the roles of microbial metabolism and decomposer interactions also continue to enrich our understanding of the pathways by which litter-derived carbon enters and persists in soil organic matter pools. This introductory talk will serve as an overview of topics that will be discussed during the symposium, and will review current knowledge on the biotic controls on plant litter decomposition and soil organic matter formation.