Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental ecological process, integral to energy flow in food webs, nutrient cycling and soil formation. While a multitude of studies have yielded rich amounts of data describing the role of litter chemistry, climate, and decomposer biota on litter decay, much about this process is still not clearly understood. The preceding talks in this symposium will have each addressed missing pieces in our understanding, particularly concerning the ways in which decomposition will be influenced by environmental changes in the Anthropocene. In this talk, I will synthesize that information and set the stage for discussing hypotheses and future research directions.
Results/Conclusions
Rather than being merely a series of case studies, the preceding talks provide a structure for challenging existing paradigms and discussing new ideas about decomposition. For example, while the role of initial litter chemistry, such as C:N, has been well-described, it is unclear how this chemistry changes throughout the decay process to influence the later stages of decay. A greater understanding of the patterns and role of litter chemistry will help us better predict the consequences of species change or nutrient pollution in a changing environment. Related to these later stages of decay is how different pathways and products of litter decay contribute to the formation of soil organic matter. It is imperative to understand how soil C accumulates and is stabilized for predictions of future global C budgets. All of these topics will be discussed during this final talk of the symposium, concluding with a group discussion.
Decomposition of plant litter is a fundamental ecological process, integral to energy flow in food webs, nutrient cycling and soil formation. While a multitude of studies have yielded rich amounts of data describing the role of litter chemistry, climate, and decomposer biota on litter decay, much about this process is still not clearly understood. The preceding talks in this symposium will have each addressed missing pieces in our understanding, particularly concerning the ways in which decomposition will be influenced by environmental changes in the Anthropocene. In this talk, I will synthesize that information and set the stage for discussing hypotheses and future research directions.