The Decomposition rates of the Organic constituents of the Litter in Phragmites longivalvis grassland in a Delta of the Nakdong River

Abstract

Samples from the L, F, H, and Al horizons of Phragmites longivalvis grassland were collected in a delta of the Nakdong River, and various chemical analyses have been made to compare the decomposition rates of the organic constituents of the litter. The decomposition rates and periods required to decay up to a certain percentage of each organic constituent were calculated using the theoretical models of Olson (1963) and those of Oohara et al. (1971c). The decomposition rates of cold-water-soluble fractions, other carbohydrates, hot-water-soluble fractions, cellulose, crude fat, lignin, and crude protein were 2.6743, 1.3926, 1.0175, 0.9233, 0.4929, and 0.4691, respectively. The periods required to reach half time to the asymptotic levels of decpmposition and accumulation for cold-water-soluble fractions, other carbohydrates, hot-water-soluble fractions, cellulose, crude fat, lignin, and crude protein of the litter were 0.26, 0.50, 0.55, 0.68, 0.75, 1.41, and 1.48 years, respectively.