Articles | Volume 1, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-207-2015
https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-1-207-2015
Original research article
 | 
23 Feb 2015
Original research article |  | 23 Feb 2015

Litter decomposition rate and soil organic matter quality in a patchwork heathland of southern Norway

G. Certini, L. S. Vestgarden, C. Forte, and L. Tau Strand

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AR: Author's response | RR: Referee report | ED: Editor decision
ED: Revision (10 Nov 2014) by Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
AR by Giacomo Certini on behalf of the Authors (23 Jan 2015)  Author's response   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (09 Feb 2015) by Asmeret Asefaw Berhe
ED: Publish as is (09 Feb 2015) by Johan Six (Executive editor)
AR by Giacomo Certini on behalf of the Authors (10 Feb 2015)
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Short summary
We studied a heathland area of Norway consisting in a patchwork of Calluna, Molinia or Sphagnum. Such vegetation covers are associated with microtopographic differences, which in turn impose different soil moisture regimes. We found that litter decomposition rate and SOM composition depend much on vegetation cover. Hence, here, monitoring variations in the patchwork of vegetation seems a reliable, cost-effective way to detect climate change induced modifications to SOM and its potential to last.