The coordination between leaf and fine root litter decomposition and the difference in their controlling factors

Aim As the two largest components of plant detritus input, leaf and root litter together determine ecosystem vegetation turnover nutrient cycling rates. However, similarities differences between factors controlling their decomposition remain unknown. We evaluated relationship fine across biomes analysed how traits, climate, soil conditions decomposers shape relationship. Location Global. Time period 1984–2020. Major taxa studied Vascular plants. Methods collected 352 paired rates (k values) ancillary condition decomposer abundance data from 88 sites spanning major global biomes. Boosted regression trees (BRTs) were applied to partition that control Results Averaged all biomes, decomposes significantly faster (kleaf = .72) than (kroot .42). The BRTs indicated traits best explained variance in both decomposition. key chemical litter, including C:N, [P], N:P, [lignin], [cellulose], [non-structural carbohydrates] [tannins], positively correlated. Therefore, k values correlated within even after removing influence decomposers. climate had different impacts on Climate induced a greater impact decomposition, whereas Main conclusions Our finding indicates plants evolve coordinated supply-and-demand strategy. with high demand produce labile which fast meet requirements. are also mediated by combinations trait, factors, weakens coordination