Springer - The Ecology of Plant Litter Decomposition in Streams

Explore the complex processes of carbon cycling in freshwater environments with this scientific text from Springer. Since the first comprehensive review in 1986, research into the decomposition of senesced plant material has expanded rapidly. This book addresses the fundamental questions surrounding how riverine ecosystems receive, process, and transport terrestrial carbon. With nearly 90% of terrestrial plant material entering the detrital pool, understanding these decomposition rates is a primary focus for freshwater ecologists. This work examines the factors that influence how nearly 1.9 Pg of terrestrial carbon is handled globally each year. It serves as a detailed resource for those studying the movement and processing of significant carbon sources within stream ecosystems.