@article {KNZ00203,
	title = {Mass, nitrogen, and phosphorus dynamics in foliage and root detritus of annually burned and unburned tallgrass prairie},
	journal = {Ecology},
	volume = {69},
	year = {1988},
	pages = {59 -65},
	abstract = {<p>Mass, nitrogen, and phosphorus of litterfall were measured for 4 yr on annually burned and unburned tallgrass prairie near Manhattan, Kansas. Decomposition and mineralization rates of foliage, flowering stem, and roots were concurrently studied with a series of litterbag and tethered litter experiments. Amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in living and dead foliage and roots were measured for 2 yr on an annually burned site. Litterfall exhibited seasonal peaks on all sites, with most of the annualy litter deposition occurring in autumn. An average of 52 g.m-2.yr-1 of litter was deposited on the soil of the annual burned watersheds, while 142 g.m-2.yr-1 was collected on unburned sites. Nitrogen and phosphorus amounts were 0.53 and 0.07 g.m-2.yr-1, respectively, from burned sites and 1.94 and 0.19 g.m-2.yr-1 on unburned sites. Litterfall on unburned sites averaged approximately 35\% of aboveground maximum biomass estimates. Litter decay rates varied from a minimum of approximately 10\%/yr for flowering stems in the canopy to a maximum of approximately 50\%/yr for roots. Foliage and stems act as nitrogen and phosphorus sinks during the first 2 yr of decomposition. Dead roots and rhizomes also act as temporary nitrogen sinks, but unlike foliage, roots appear to mineralize significant amounts of phosphorus during the 1st yr of decay. Root nitrogen to phosphorus ratios may provide a proximate explanation for nitrogen limitation in tallgrass prairies. Key words: decomposition, litterfall, nitrogen, phosphorus, roots, tallgrass prairie</p>},
	keywords = {LTER-KNZ, tallgrass prairie},
	doi = {10.2307/1943160},
	author = {Seastedt, T.R.}
}
