← Elaine Ingham · Research and publications
Nitrogen, plant production and decomposition: different responses
A comparison of grasslands and pine forest examines nitrogen availability.
Study published:
The study question
The researchers changed nitrogen availability and monitored plant litter decomposition and plant production in grasslands and pine forest. [1]
Different responses
Production responded relatively more strongly to fertilization than decomposition. Each litter type decomposed faster than expected in its ecosystem of origin, suggesting adaptation among decomposers. [1]
A question for our training
At our Center, we want observations organised around specific questions: which residue we add, to which soil and which process we monitor. This is our own educational connection with the paper.
Presentation context
This presentation draws on the published abstract of the experiment in the particular natural ecosystems studied.
Sources and references
- Hunt, H. W., Ingham, E. R., Coleman, D. C., Elliott, E. T. & Reid, C. P. P. (1988). Ecology, 69(4), 1009–1016. DOI: 10.2307/1941256 Original publication and study record