Southern Research Station

Title: Consequences of non-random species loss for decomposition dynamics: Experimental evidence for additive and non-additive effects

Author: Ball, Becky A.; Hunter, Mark D.; Kominoski, John S.; Swan, Christopher M.; Bradford, Mark A.

Date: 2008

Source:  Journal of Ecology 2008, 96, 303-313

Description: Although litter decomposition is a fundamental ecological process, most of our understanding comes from studies of single-species decay. Recently, litter-mixing studies have tested whether monoculture data can be applied to mixed-litter systems. These studies have mainly attempted to detect non-additive effects of litter mixing, which address potential consequences of random species loss the focus is not on which species are lost, but the decline in diversity per se.

Keywords: biodiversity, decomposition, ecosystem function, litter mixtures, litter quality, non-random species loss, random species loss, species composition, species diversity

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Citation

Ball, Becky A.; Hunter, Mark D.; Kominoski, John S.; Swan, Christopher M.; Bradford, Mark A.  2008.  Consequences of non-random species loss for decomposition dynamics: Experimental evidence for additive and non-additive effects.   Journal of Ecology 2008, 96, 303-313