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Dryad

Data from: High nighttime humidity and dissolved organic carbon content support rapid decomposition of standing litter in a semi-arid landscape

Cite this dataset

Wang, Jing et al. (2018). Data from: High nighttime humidity and dissolved organic carbon content support rapid decomposition of standing litter in a semi-arid landscape [Dataset]. Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.5t76p

Abstract

1. Litter in arid and semi-arid ecosystems usually exhibits a prolonged standing dead phase after senescence; however, we know little about the ways in which abiotic and microbial processes affect standing litter decomposition. 2. We conducted a 26-month (in situ) decomposition experiment in a steppe to investigate the potential mechanisms governing the decomposition of standing litter, and a 192-day laboratory incubation experiment to further explore the impacts of the standing dead stage on the subsequent litter decomposition and soil organic carbon formation after the litter falls to the soil surface. 3. Compared with soil surface litter, standing litter has higher dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content. Standing litter also experienced higher nighttime relative humidity on its surface, which enhanced litter moisture content. The higher DOC concentration, combined with the greater nighttime moisture content, stimulated more microbial activity in standing litter. The decomposition rate (k) of standing litter was 92% higher than that of soil surface litter. Moreover, the standing phase conditioned the litter, leading to more rapid decomposition after the litter fell to the soil surface, and increasing the efficiency with which the litter formed soil organic carbon. 4. We conclude that the long-neglected standing phase greatly determines litter decomposition and soil carbon storage in semi-arid regions. Accounting for standing litter decomposition is critical for accurately simulating carbon turnover in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

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