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Decomposition contro
For 330 Decomposition controls from Chapin 2011
Term | Definition |
---|---|
C:N ratio | Ratio of carbon mass to nitrogen mass. |
Decomposition | Breakdown of dead organic matter through fragmentation, chemical alteration, and leaching. |
Decomposition rate constant, k | Constant (k) that describes the exponential breakdown of a tissue. |
Exoenzyme | Enzyme that is secreted by an organism into the environment. |
Heterotrophic respiration | Respiration by nonautotrophic organisms (i.e., microbes and animals). |
Labile | Easily decomposed. |
Lignin | An aromatic polymer that, with cellulose, forms secondary cell walls of woody tissue. |
Litterbag | Mesh bag used to measure decomposition rate of detritus. |
Mean residence time | Mass divided by the flux into or out of the pool over a given time period; inverse of turnover. |
Phosphatase | Enzyme that hydrolyzes phosphate from a phosphate-containing organic compound. |
Protease | Protein-hydrolyzing enzyme. |
Quality | Chemical nature of organic matter that determines the ease with which it is broken down by herbivores or decomposers. |
Recalcitrant | Resistant to microbial breakdown. |
Rhizosphere | Zone of soil that is directly influenced by roots. |
Turnover | Turnover Replacement of a pool; ratio of the flux to the pool size; inverse of mean residence time. |