PLANT DECOMPOSITION AND SOIL RESPIRATION IN TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS

摘要: This review deals with methodological approaches, measured rates, and environmental control of two major interdependent processes regulating the structure function terrestrial ecosystems, viz., plant decomposition soil respiration. Both these have been evaluated through indirect assessments as well direct measurements under field conditions. The techniques used suffer in general from difficulties creating conditions natural environment during process measurement. Generalizations regarding magnitude rates different ecosystems are difficult because limited results or non-comparability methods. Temperature moisture their interactions markedly influence both processes. surface feeders animals a marked on decomposition. Partitioning respiration into components due to live roots, microbes, fauna has eluded satisfactory solution so far.