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Plant litter decomposition in a semi-arid ecosystem controlled by photodegradation

Author

Listed:
  • Amy T. Austin

    (Universidad de Buenos Aires)

  • Lucía Vivanco

    (Universidad de Buenos Aires)

Abstract

Sunlight drives decay Biological processes are thought to be the primary cause of decomposition of organic matter in terrestrial ecosystems, with abiotic processes such as degradation by UV-B radiation playing a minor role. Not so, according to a study in the semi-arid Patagonian steppe. Here solar radiation has been identified as a major influence on carbon turnover. Blocking full sunlight or UV-B radiation dramatically reduced the rate of decomposition of plant litter, yet, reduction of soil organisms or addition of limiting soil resources had no effect. These results suggest a short-circuit in the carbon cycle; a substantial fraction of primary production could be lost to the atmosphere via photodegradation without cycling through soil organic matter pools. As nearly 40% of Earth's land surface is desert, global change affecting levels of radiation such as ozone depletion or cloud cover could have major impacts on carbon storage.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy T. Austin & Lucía Vivanco, 2006. "Plant litter decomposition in a semi-arid ecosystem controlled by photodegradation," Nature, Nature, vol. 442(7102), pages 555-558, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:442:y:2006:i:7102:d:10.1038_nature05038
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05038
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    Cited by:

    1. Sihui Tian & Xin Liu & Baocheng Jin & Xuechun Zhao, 2022. "Contribution of Fine Roots to Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation in Different Desert Communities in the Sangong River Basin," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Eirik G. Kommedal & Camilla F. Angeltveit & Leesa J. Klau & Iván Ayuso-Fernández & Bjørnar Arstad & Simen G. Antonsen & Yngve Stenstrøm & Dag Ekeberg & Francisco Gírio & Florbela Carvalheiro & Svein J, 2023. "Visible light-exposed lignin facilitates cellulose solubilization by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    3. Zhihua Tu & Suyi Chen & Dongshuo Ruan & Zexian Chen & Yanping Huang & Jinhui Chen, 2022. "Differential Hydrological Properties of Forest Litter Layers in Artificial Afforestation of Eroded Areas of Latosol in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-12, November.
    4. T.K. Abramovich & Y. Zurovsky & Y. Steinberger, 2010. "Effect of inhibitors on Zygophyllum dumosum plant litter decomposition," Plant, Soil and Environment, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 56(4), pages 168-175.
    5. Xinzhang Song & Changhui Peng & Hong Jiang & Qiuan Zhu & Weifeng Wang, 2013. "Direct and Indirect Effects of UV-B Exposure on Litter Decomposition: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(6), pages 1-1, June.
    6. Sandra Duarte-Guardia & Pablo L. Peri & Wulf Amelung & Douglas Sheil & Shawn W. Laffan & Nils Borchard & Michael I. Bird & Wouter Dieleman & David A. Pepper & Brian Zutta & Esteban Jobbagy & Lucas C. , 2019. "Better estimates of soil carbon from geographical data: a revised global approach," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 355-372, March.

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