Dynamics of necromass in woody Australian ecosystems

Litterfall (LF) is the major contributor to aboveground necromass in ecosystems. Litter decomposition or litter decay (LD) then offsets deposition LF, with balance of LF and LD determining standing (SL). SL together fine coarse woody debris (FWD, CWD) are largest pools. The interactions SL, at continental scales reflect carbon nutrient cycling other ecosystem processes. We compiled data on leaf, twig (<2.6 cm), material (mostly bark reproductive tissue) for fire-prone Australian continent, where also a “fuel load” important fire spread intensity. extracted from 498 published unpublished works (1825 observations; n = 3914; 629). used Olson’s (mass-balance) approach (k ˜ LF/SL) calculate sites long undisturbed both data. by component (leaves, twigs, material) metainformation such as sampling location, tree species, time since literature and/or scientists. Most were available warm-seasonal (36% SL) cool-wet (31%) climates, linking locations our bio-climate classification. Warm-wet (20%) hot-seasonal (8%) climates followed, while climate zones each contributed <2% Across all climatic zones, average (1100 g/m2) was roughly twice that (468 g·m?2·yr?1). greatest cold (2334 g/m2), compared warm-wet (1168 conditions (499 g/m2). Important drivers (e.g., slow under conditions) frequency. k varied type decomposing (“composition”). For example, across 1.942 yr?1 leaves but 0.504 twigs. strongly composition according seasonal vs. wet climates). Robust models dynamics must distinguish between components (such twigs) consider complex non-linear effects climate, stand structure, history litterfall decomposition.