TY - JOUR
T1 - Wood decomposition model for boreal forests
AU - Tuomi, Mikko
AU - Laiho, R.
AU - Repo, A.
AU - Liski, J.
N1 - M. Tuomi; R. Laiho; A. Repo; & J. Kiski; 'Wood decomposition model for boreal forests', Ecological Modelling, Vol. 222 (3): 709-718, first published online 22 November 2010. The version of record is available online at doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.10.025
© 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PY - 2011/2/10
Y1 - 2011/2/10
N2 - The decomposition of woody litter is a biochemical process, controlled by physical, chemical and biological environmental conditions. To develop a practicable model of this complex process, it is necessary to identify the major controlling factors and quantify their effects. We used four data sets (total N= 2102) on mass loss of decomposing woody litter in Northern Europe to extend an earlier decomposition model of non-woody litter and make it suitable for describing also decomposition of woody litter. We compared alternative ways to model the effects of size and chemical composition of woody litter on decomposition using the Bayesian model selection theory. The best model fitted to the diverse data sets (woody litter of four tree species, diameter 0.5-60 cm, time series up to 70 years) with little systematic error. Based on this result, we concluded that the extended model is suitable for describing decomposition of woody litter of the common tree species in the boreal forests studied. According to the model developed, frequently observed sigmoidal patterns in mass loss of woody litter are related to high concentrations of slowly decomposing lignin compounds and these patterns become stronger with an increasing size of decomposing woody litter.
AB - The decomposition of woody litter is a biochemical process, controlled by physical, chemical and biological environmental conditions. To develop a practicable model of this complex process, it is necessary to identify the major controlling factors and quantify their effects. We used four data sets (total N= 2102) on mass loss of decomposing woody litter in Northern Europe to extend an earlier decomposition model of non-woody litter and make it suitable for describing also decomposition of woody litter. We compared alternative ways to model the effects of size and chemical composition of woody litter on decomposition using the Bayesian model selection theory. The best model fitted to the diverse data sets (woody litter of four tree species, diameter 0.5-60 cm, time series up to 70 years) with little systematic error. Based on this result, we concluded that the extended model is suitable for describing decomposition of woody litter of the common tree species in the boreal forests studied. According to the model developed, frequently observed sigmoidal patterns in mass loss of woody litter are related to high concentrations of slowly decomposing lignin compounds and these patterns become stronger with an increasing size of decomposing woody litter.
KW - Bayesian model comparison
KW - Decomposition
KW - Statistical modelling
KW - Woody litter
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78650680110&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.10.025
DO - 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.10.025
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:78650680110
SN - 0304-3800
VL - 222
SP - 709
EP - 718
JO - Ecological Modelling
JF - Ecological Modelling
IS - 3
ER -