Observed and expected litter total PLFA, mass loss proportion and percent synergisms.

Mixing leaf litter often stimulated litter PLFA concentrations and mass loss above expected values, resulting in synergisms in many cases. Percent synergisms (% syn.) were determined by subtracting observed (shown as “Obs.) values from expected (shown as “Exp.”) values, dividing by expected values, and multiplying by 100. Litter types are indicated by the letters of the component species (A = aspen, D = Douglas fir, L = limber pine, P = Ponderosa pine, ALL- includes all four species).