Hypothesized vs. actual direction of responses to increasing levels of independent climatic and environmental variables based on conditions during the leaf and wood decomposition (MRAV 2007 and GOM 2011; one year study), and cloth-strip decomposition (upper layer only; MRAV 2007 and GOM 2011; ten day study), or the percent soil organic matter studies (MRAV 2007).

Increase or decrease in response is depicted by “↓” vs. “↑”, respectively. The hypothesized response is based on predictions stated in related literature. Mean air temperature and total precipitation are included. “Drawdown” is the mathematical complement of flooding (percent time the plot water depth > 1 cm. “Freshwater” indicates the low end of a salinity gradient. “Normal climate” refers to the direction of responses in the climate normal period spanning 1981–2010. “Yes” or “No” indicates if the hypothesis was supported by this study. “nr” indicates no relationship. For the 10-day cloth study, water depth was used a direct indicator of plot flooding/drawdown status. Soil organic matter % * 0.45 = soil organic carbon % [50]. The overall study hypothesis of the study is that environments that increase litter decomposition rates are related to lower soil organic matter %.