Plant Soil Environ., 2015, 61(9):405-409 | DOI: 10.17221/311/2015-PSE

A microbial biomass and respiration of soil, peat and decomposing plant litter in a raised mireOriginal Paper

S. Hall1, D.W. Hopkins2
1 Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
2 Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK

We have compared microbial biomass and respiration rates in soils and decomposition of peat materials from the different components of a raised mire system. The microbial biomass in the lagg fen was not greater than that of the mineral soil or the mire expanse, but the respiration rate of the decomposer organisms in the lagg fen exceeded that of either the mire expanse or surrounding mineral soils. The respiration rate of microorganisms in litter recovered from litter bags in the lagg fen was greater than that in the mire expanse, and the microbial biomass of the litter was greater for the lagg fen than for either the mineral soil or the mire expanse. Further, the litter from minerotrophic plants decomposed faster than the ombrotrophic species.

Keywords: carbon; decay; peatland; Sphagnum

Published: September 30, 2015  Show citation

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Hall S, Hopkins DW. A microbial biomass and respiration of soil, peat and decomposing plant litter in a raised mire. Plant Soil Environ. 2015;61(9):405-409. doi: 10.17221/311/2015-PSE.
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