Fresh plant material that falls into peat bogs breaks down at very different speeds depending on how tough or tender it is, and this affects how quickly modern carbon mixes into ancient, carbon-storing peat. That matters for scientists tracking radioactive carbon in the environment, since old peat isn't as sealed off from fresh inputs as it might seem.
1
Labile (easily decomposed) litter lost 35% of its mass over 90 days, compared to only 10% for recalcitrant (tough) litter
2
A 50/50 mixed litter treatment showed intermediate decomposition (22%), matching the additive prediction from the two pure treatments with no synergistic effect
3
Peat itself is a 'carbon-14 depleted' old carbon endmember, while dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass, and dissolved inorganic carbon act as intermediate pools enriched by fresh litter inputs
mail
Weekly plant science — one email, Saturdays.
Check your inbox to confirm — link expires in 24 hours.
Something went wrong — please try again.
Too many signup attempts from your network. Try again in an hour, or email hello@plant.news.