The trait contribution to wood decomposition rates of 15 Neotropical tree species.

K.G. van Geffen, L. Poorter, U. Sass-Klaassen, R.S.P van Logtestijn, J.H.C. Cornelissen

    Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    The decomposition of dead wood is a critical uncertainty in models of the global carbon cycle. Despite this, relatively few studies have focused on dead wood decomposition, with a strong bias to higher latitudes. Especially the effect of interspecific variation in species traits on differences in wood decomposition rates remains unknown. In order to fill these gaps, we applied a novel method to study long-term wood decomposition of 15 tree species in a Bolivian semi-evergreen tropical moist forest. We hypothesized that interspecific differences in species traits are important drivers of variation in wood decomposition rates. Wood decomposition rates (fractional mass loss) varied between 0.01 and 0.31 yr
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)3686-3697
    JournalEcology
    Volume91
    Issue number12
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2010

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