Novel method to compare long-term wood decomposition rates featured as ‘Editor’s Choice’ paper in centenary volume of Journal of Ecology

A group of Systems Ecologists published a new rapid method to compare long-term breakdown rates of rotting tree logs of different species. They combined short-term dead wood incubations in a standard field environment with modelling. This way they could reveal how differences in wood characteristics (traits) of different tree species resulted in different ways and rates of breakdown (decomposition), without differences in moisture or temperature upsetting their comparisons. Because the paper was recognised as very novel as well as important and promising for understanding global carbon cycling, Journal of Ecology selected it as their show-piece paper to accompany its centenary celebration. For details see http://www.journalofecology.org/view/0/edchoice1001.html
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