01816nas a2200145   4500008004100000245013800041210006900179300001300248490000700261520123400268100001901502700001701521700001601538856011601554       1992                        eng d00aMass loss and nitrogen dynamics of decaying litter of grasslands: the apparent low nitrogen immobilization potential of root detritus0 aMass loss and nitrogen dynamics of decaying litter of grasslands  a384 -3910 v703 a<p>Litter-bag studies and simulation modeling were used to examine the relationship between mass loss and nitrogen content of decaying prairie foliage and root litter. In contrast with forest studies, grassland roots were low in lignin and nitrogen, decayed more rapidly than foliage, and demonstrated very low nitrogen immobilization potentials. Our findings agree with reports indicating that buried substrates with high C:N ratios do not immobilize substantial amounts of nitrogen-limited environments induce steeper slopes in the mass loss-nitrogen concentration relationship. However, results suggesting rapid nitrogen mineralization contradict our own studies demonstrating reduced inorganic nitrogen availability in soils of frequently burned prairie. Simulation of observed patterns using the CENTURY grassland model indicated that these results could not occur without creating soil organic matter with unrealistically high C:N ratios. Litter-bag studies of buried substrates therefore may provide an incomplete perspective on the mass loss and nitrogen dynamics of buried litter in grassland and agroecosystem soils. key words: Andropogon gerardii, C:N ratio, decomposition, immobilization, mineralization, nitrogen</p>1 aSeastedt, T.R.1 aParton, W.J.1 aOjima, D.S.  uhttp://knz.lternet.edu/content/mass-loss-and-nitrogen-dynamics-decaying-litter-grasslands-apparent-low-nitrogen