Litter decomposition in a Chihuahuan desert playa

摘要: Mass loss rates were compared for several types of litter in a flooded desert ephemeral playa. Most nonwoody organic matter, including black grama grass, creosotebush leaves and rabbit feces decomposed rapidly. Creosotebush twigs wood slowly. About 25% the mass was lost due to abiotic leaching. Predator exclusion significantly increased decomposition leaves, but reduced rate grass. Decomposition within range those found lakes, much lower than typical streams. Our data suggest that organisms have little effect on debris transported into