Decomposition of standing and fallen litter of halophytes in a Dutch salt marsh

摘要: Decomposition of morphological parts Triglochin maritima, Limonium vulgare, Halimione portulacoides and Spartina anglica was studied in an estuarine salt marsh the SW Nethrrlands for 6–8 months from September onwards. In stands each species decomposition both litter mesh bags located on surface hanging (dead) canopy. types followed exponential pattern decay: instantaneous decay rates varied 0.0016 per day flowering-spike canopy habitat to 0.0103 leaf-litter sediment surface. Leaf decomposed significantly faster than stem or flowering spike litter. Decay corresponding plant differed between some but not all species. Four eight showed a significant effect: lower rate habitat. However, this effect relatively small: maximal 20% ash-free dry weight remaining at end study period leaf The chemistry substrate seemed be main factor affecting rate. lignin nitrogen concentration increased with time. instanteous habitats inversely correlated initial content also lignin-to-nitrogen ratio. It seems that differences two depend litter: higher concentration, greater differnce