A comparison of selected methods for the estimation of organic matter decomposition rate.

摘要

The aim of the paper was to compare methods for the estimation of organic matter decomposition rate and to identify the optimal one. The estimation of decomposition rate was done in the litter layer of four selected types of tree stands in the deciduous zone of a mountain forest in Bieszczady Mountains, using cellulose samples, litter bags and litter plots. There were no significant differences between the decomposition rate estimated with litterbags and litter plots within the same tree stand. The results obtained with cellulose samples considerably overestimate the actual decomposition rate: 1.8-2.5 times depending on the type of a tree stand. Because of manifold factors influencing the scale of overestimation of cellulose decomposition rate, the coefficient determining this scale was not found. This suggests low suitability of cellulose samples for the estimation of organic matter decomposition rate. The litterbags method, because of high credibility of obtained results, and its wide application possibilities, seems to be the optimal one for the estimation of decomposition rate in temperate forest ecosystems.