Background Suboptimal water and nutrient availability are primary constraints in global
agriculture. Root anatomy plays key roles in soil resource acquisition. In this article we …

Mechanical impedance constrains root growth in most soils. Crop cultivation changed the
impedance characteristics of native soils, through topsoil erosion, loss of organic matter …

A large fraction of plant litter comprises recalcitrant aromatic compounds (lignin and other
phenolics). Quantifying the fate of aromatic compounds is difficult, because oxidative …

The decomposition of leaf litter constitutes a major pathway of carbon and nutrient cycling in
terrestrial ecosystems. Though it is well established that litter decomposition varies among …

Plant litter inputs can promote the decomposition of soil organic matter (OM) through the
priming effect (PE). However, whereas leaf litter chemistry has long been identified as the …

Aim Root growth and decay may affect root reinforcement to soil erosion and stability. We
measured the effects of growth and decay on the tensile strength of Cynodon dactylon roots …

Litter decomposition supplies nutrients and energy within and among aquatic and terrestrial
ecosystems. It is driven by several biotic and abiotic factors, the relative importance of which …

Aims Lignin has long been considered a recalcitrant component of plant materials. Its
degradation is critical for litter decomposition and the formation of soil organic matter …

High coastal nutrient loading can cause changes in seagrass chemistry traits that may lead
to variability in seagrass litter decomposition processes. Such changes in decomposition …

Aims Initial substrate chemical characteristics are the most important factor in the regulation
of fine root decomposition. However, it remains unclear how nitrogen (N) deposition …