SOLVE: SHOW WORK You can estimate the detrital mass remaining (M t ) after 1 yea
ID: 69730 • Letter: S
Question
SOLVE: SHOW WORK
You can estimate the detrital mass remaining (Mt) after 1 year using the equation, Mt = M0 e-kt, where Mo is the initial mass, k is the decomposition rate constant for the detritus, and t is time
Ponderosa Pine= 26.1 % lignin decomposition
Blue grama = 9.8 % lignin decomposition
Estimate the annual decomposition rate constants (k) for both habitats in the current climate conditions based on the following data collected during the study.The initial mass (M0) in your litter bags was 10 grams, while the average final mass (Mt) was 6.1 grams in the Ponderosa Pine litter bags after one year (t = 1 year), and 2.3 grams in the Blue Grama litter bags after one year. Show your work.
FOLLOW-UP Which habitat has the faster decomposition rate?Why is the rate faster in one habitat compared to the other one?
Explanation / Answer
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a long lived, warm season, C4 perennial grass, while Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is a very large pine tree. The decomposition rate is generally higher for grasses than trees, due to the variation in their composition. Hence, blue grama will decompose earlier than pine tree. That is the reason why there is only 2.3 gm of blue grama after one year, while there is 6.1 gm of pine.
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