Plant litter: decomposition, humus formation, carbon sequestration

Introduction.- Decomposition as a process.- Decomposer organisms.- Initial litter chemical composition.- Changes in substrate composition during decomposition.- Chemical constituents as rate-regulating: initial variation and changes during decomposition.- Climatic environment.- Influence of soil and plant community factors.- Decomposition of fine root and woody litter.- Models that describe litter decomposition.- Decomposition and ecosystem function.- Human activities that influence decomposition.- Estimating carbon sequestration rates on a regional scale.- Appendix I. Glossary.- Appendix II. Scientific names of vascular plants.- Appendix III. Site descriptions.- Appendix IV. A data base for litter chemical composition, and limit values for decomposition - Delila.-