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Soil metabolism and decomposition in a phryganic (East Mediterranean) ecosystem

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Summary

The CO2 release from the soil shows strong seasonality, with peaks during late spring and early autumn. Litter decomposition is higher during the wet period, and woody plants economize high quantities of leaf nitrogen before leaf fall by exporting this nutrient to the stems in the form of free amino acids.

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Fouseki, E., Margaris, N.S. Soil metabolism and decomposition in a phryganic (East Mediterranean) ecosystem. Oecologia 50, 417–421 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344985

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