Leaf traits capture the effects of land use changes and climate on litter decomposability of grasslands across Europe

• Published in: Ecology (Durham) Vol. 90; no. 3; p. 598
• Main Authors: Fortunel, Claire, Garnier, Eric, Joffre, Richard, Kazakou, Elena, Quested, Helen, Grigulis, Karl, Lavorel, Sandra, Ansquer, Pauline, Castro, Helena, Cruz, Pablo, Dolezal, Jirí, Eriksson, Ove, Freitas, Helena, Golodets, Carly, Jouany, Claire, Kigel, Jaime, Kleyer, Michael, Lehsten, Veiko, Leps, Jan, Meier, Tonia, Pakeman, Robin, Papadimitriou, Maria, Papanastasis, Vasilios P, Quétier, Fabien, Robson, Matt, Sternberg, Marcelo, Theau, Jean-Pierre, Thébault, Aurélie, Zarovali, Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.2009
• Subjects: Climate; Ecosystem; Europe; Israel; Lignin - analysis; Lignin - metabolism; Nitrogen - analysis; Nitrogen - metabolism; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Plant Leaves - metabolism; Poaceae - physiology; Species Specificity; Time Factors; Europe; Israel

Land use and climate changes induce shifts in plant functional diversity and community structure, thereby modifying ecosystem processes. This is particularly true for litter decomposition, an essential process in the biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients. In this study, we asked whether chan...