Home-field advantage accelerates leaf litter decomposition in forests

摘要: Several leaf litter decay studies have indicated that decomposition occurs more rapidly when is placed beneath the plant species from which it had been derived than a different (i.e. home-field advantage, HFA), although support for this notion has not universal. We provide first quantification of HFA in relation to using published mass loss data forest ecosystems North America, South and Europe. Our findings indicate widespread ecosystems; on average was 8% faster at home away. hypothesize results specialization soil biotic community decomposing above it. Climate initial quality can be used explain about 70% variability global scale, leaving 30% unexplained. suggest recognized as factor explains some remaining variability.