As terrestrial leaf litter decomposes in rivers, its constituent elements follow multiple
pathways. Carbon leached as dissolved organic matter can be quickly taken up by …

Highlights•Biomass deconstruction is a complex process requiring divergent natural
strategies.•Microbes have co-evolved to ensure efficient chemical recycling in the …

Understanding the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning has been a
core ecological research topic over the past decades. Although a key hypothesis is that the …

Aims We examined the importance of litter quality and microclimate on early-stage litter
mass loss, analysed the importance of interactions among environmental factors in …

My 2002 SBB paper, The macromolecular organic composition of plant and microbial
residues as inputs to soil organic matter, brought together knowledge on the chemical …

Aim Leaf litter decomposition in freshwater ecosystems is a vital process linking ecosystem
nutrient cycling, energy transfer and trophic interactions. In comparison to terrestrial …

The continuing nitrogen (N) deposition observed worldwide alters ecosystem nutrient
cycling and ecosystem functioning. Litter decomposition is a key process contributing to …

In the face of growing urban densification, green spaces in cities, such as gardens, are
increasingly important for biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, the influences of …

At broad spatial scales, the factors regulating litter decomposition remain ambiguous, with
the understanding of these factors largely based on studies investigating site‐specific single …

Biodiversity loss can alter ecosystem functioning; however, it remains unclear how it alters
decomposition—a critical component of biogeochemical cycles in the biosphere. Here, we …