Effects of Water Content and Mesh Size on Tea Bag Decomposition

The tea bag method provides a replicable and standardized to study the effect of environmental variables on decomposition standard litter, which enables comparison organic matter rates large scale. However, it remains uncertain whether in response wetness is representative that local litters. We performed incubation experiments examine soil water becomes inhibitory at higher contents, as case leaf In addition, we field studies mixed forest cedar plantation Japan compare two litter mesh sizes: 0.25-mm mesh, size previously used by major manufacturer bags (Lipton), nonwoven with sizes finer than 0.25 mm, are currently produced Lipton. Both green rooibos exhibited but was inhibited highest content; this contrast our hypothesis based observation consistent conceptual models did not show lower rates, despite size. Rather, slightly plantation, possibly due greater abundance microorganisms decompose litters bags, decrease predation mesofauna. Our findings provide essential information for future decomposition.