Since the publication of the 2
nd
edition, there have been substantial developments in the field of litter decomposition. This fully revised and updated 3
rd
edition of
Plant Litter
reflects and discusses new findings and re-evaluates earlier ones in light of recent research and with regard to current areas of investigation.
The availability of several long-term studies allows a more in-depth approach to decomposition patterns and to the later stages of decomposition, as well as to humus formation and accumulation.
The latest information focuses on three fields:
- the effects of manganese on decomposition and possibly on carbon sequestration,
- new findings on decomposition dynamics, and
- the new analytical technique using
13
C-NMR.