New directions for the Tea Bag Index: Alternative teabags and concepts can advance citizen science

Since its first publication in 2013, the Tea Bag Index (TBI) has attained widespread ecological application, generating scientific data on stabilization and turnover of organic matter soils. As a result manufacturing changes (net structure, net material, tea varieties) past years, critical examination alternative bag products is necessary. The present study for time generated decomposition wide range potential brands (four tested) varieties (rooibos [RB], green [GT], black [BT], peppermint [PM]). They were tested both laboratory field experiment lasting 90 days. Under controlled conditions GT, BT, PM corresponded well to kinetic assumptions an asymptote model TBI, but RB did not. In experiment, mass remaining after days was determined all bags across different land uses (arable land, grassland, forest). BT imitated behavior Lipton's original GT even better than any tested. finer structure new nets not negatively affect precision resultant masses thus can be recommended future studies. conclusion, should explored as varieties. Based our findings, we proposed update which based readily feasible modeling curve. Crucial combined consideration multiple incubation intervals durations.