Long-term Intersite Decomposition Experiment (LIDET) related data sets

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The LIDET experiment is designed to test the effects of substrate quality and macroclimate on long-term decomposition and nutrient release dynamics of fine litter.   Although other factors, such as the decomposer biota, may also influence these long-term dynamics, we felt that substrate quality and macroclimate would explain the largest proportion of the variation and would be the easiest to extrapolate geographically. The role of the decomposer biota is tested indirectly by the LIDET experiment, however, as the litter used was not native to the sites.   If there is a large interaction between substrate quality and decomposer biota, then some species of litter may decompose faster or slower than generally expected at some of the sites. The LIDET decomposition experiments have been installed at 28 sites that span a wide array of ecosystems, from tundra to warm desert to shortgrass steppe to moist tropical forest.   Precitpitation ranges from 230 to 4000 mm year1 and mean annual air temperature ranges from 7-26 C.  Although many sites differ markedly in precipitation and temperature, many are distinguishable only by their seasonal dynamics.   The Konza and Andrews sites, for example, have identical abiotic decomposition indices (Parton et al. 1987) but distinctly different precipitation patterns, with winter rainfall at Andrews and summer rainfall at Konza.