Factors affecting the applicability of the AET model for decomposition in arid environments

TitleFactors affecting the applicability of the AET model for decomposition in arid environments
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1982
AuthorsElkins NZ, Steinberger Y, Whitford WG
JournalEcology
Volume63
Pagination579-580
Date Published1982
Call Number00056
Keywordsarticle, articles, decomposition, AET model, journal, journals, model,actual evapotranspiration, model,AET, model,decomposition
AbstractThere is considerable interest in the applicability of the model developed by Meentemeyer (1978), which predicts decomposition as a function of actual evapotranspiration (AET) and lignin, to environments other than forests. Whitford et al. (1981b) discussed exceptions to the Meentemeyer AET model in deserts and clearcut forests and concluded that in these environments, biological activity of soil microarthropod and termites, accounts for the deviations (higher rates) from the model. We recently completed a study of decomposition in a semiarid desert-grassland transitional area that provides another independent test of the AET model.