Study
Plant species traits are the predominant control on litter decomposition rates within biomes worldwide
Cornwell, W. K.; Cornelissen, J. H. C.; Amatangelo, K.; Dorrepaal, E.; Eviner, V. T.; Godoy, O.; Hobbie, S. E.; Hoorens, B.; Kurokawa, H.; Pérez-Harguindeguy, N.
Ecology Letters, 2008
Litter decomposition experiments from around the world were compiled and the variation in decay rate partitioned between climate at the site and the traits of the litter itself.
- Studied in
- Tracheophyta
- Sample size
- 818 species in litter decomposition experiments
Within a biome, which species the leaf came from mattered more than where it was decomposing. Tough, lignin-rich, low-nutrient litter decayed slowly wherever it lay.
What it means
The authors' reading, and ours. Where they differ, that difference is the point.
How the authors put it
Species traits exert the dominant control on litter decomposition within biomes, giving vegetation composition a direct influence on carbon and nutrient cycling.
How NatureHQ reads it
The link that makes 'what a tree is made of' an ecosystem-level fact. A tree that builds tough, well-defended leaves is still shaping the soil years after those leaves fall, because the same chemistry that deterred herbivores slows the fungi. Decomposition is not a background process that happens to litter; it is the second half of what the plant built.
- Litter-bag methods exclude large decomposers and alter the microclimate inside the bag.
- Within-biome comparison; across biomes climate regains a larger role.
- Leaf litter specifically — wood behaves differently and decays far more slowly.
What this study is used for on NatureHQ
One study can inform several subjects. Here is everywhere this one is cited.
Published by: Wiley journalsPublished in a Wiley journal.
doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01219.x
This reference was resolved automatically against Crossref and OpenAlex on 2026-08-30.
NatureHQ summarises research in its own words and does not reproduce published text. Reviewed 2026-08-30.