Litter tissue chemistry for three plant species from ambient or increased soil nutrient plots in moist acidic tundra in northern Alaska, 2010

We conducted a decomposition study in three fertilization experiments in moist acidic tussock (MAT) tundra near Toolik Lake, Alaska that differed in duration. This study was designed to better understand the trajectory of decomposition over time when soil nutrients are increased. Results will help us make better predictions about changes in element cycling associated with warming in the Arctic. We decomposed leaves from three plant species: Betula nana, Eriophorum vaginatum, and Rubus chamaemorus over a three year time period in both control (CT) and fertilized (NP) plots that had begun in 1989, 1996, or 2006. To quantify litter tissue chemistry, in August 2010 we collected leaves of these three species from plots with ambient soil nutrient availability and plots that had been fertilized since 2006. Leaves were dried and analyzed for percent (%) Carbon (C), %Nitrogen (N), cellulose, and lignin.