Mulch decomposition models in temperate ecosystems in Northeastern Mexico [Modelos de descomposición del mantillo en ecosistemas templados del Noreste de México]
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Abstract Mulch decomposition is an essential process for maintaining the net primary productivity and fertility of forest ecosystems. For this reason, a one-year study was conducted in the Pablillo ejido in Galeana municipality, state of Nuevo León, Mexico, to understand the process of mulch decomposition in three temperate forest ecosystems (pine, oak, and pine-oak) using mathematical models to predict the rate of decomposition. In each ecosystem, 60 black polypropylene bags containing 10 g of mulch were distributed in five 20 m×20 m plots. When comparing the three vegetation types, mass loss was 14 %25 for pine, 22 %25 for pine-oak, and 23 %25 for oak. According to the regression analysis, the Simple Negative Exponential (Olson) and simple linear models showed the best goodness of fit with respect to the logarithmic and power models. The simple linear model presented a better fit with R 2 values=0.719 (oak), 0.626 (pine), and 0.620 (pine-oak); for the Olson model, the R 2 coefficient ranged from 0.710 (oak) to 0.617 (pine-oak). The decomposition process showed significant differences between ecosystems attributable to the chemical composition of the mulch. The pine ecosystem showed the lowest decomposition percentage.
