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Earth's Systems / Biological processes / Terrestrial ecosystem functioning / Decomposition / Photodegradation of litter in drylands

Photodegradation of litter in drylands

In dry, open ecosystems where microbes are water-limited, solar radiation breaks down litter directly and can make it easier for microbes to decay.

Boundary: where this process starts

Starts with: Solar radiation (including UV) breaks bonds in lignin and cellulose

Boundary: where it ends

Ends after: Part of the carbon is lost directly as CO2 without microbes

PARTICIPANTSRESOURCESSunFungiDead organicmatterSunlightCarbon dioxideImpact +3 of 5. Click for details and evidence.litter exposedImpact +3 of 5. Click for details and evidence.photo-oxidationImpact +2 of 5. Click for details and evidence.partly oxidised litter remaiSolar radiation (including UV) breaks bonds in lignin and cellulose: uses up Dead organic matteruses upSolar radiation (including UV) breaks bonds in lignin and cellulose: uses SunlightPart of the carbon is lost directly as CO2 without microbes: uses up Dead organic matteruses upPart of the carbon is lost directly as CO2 without microbes: makes Carbon dioxidemakesbonds broken and alteredDead organic matter: bonds broken and alteredbreaks lignin andcellulose bondsSunlight: breaks lignin and cellulose bondscarbon lost abioticallyDead organic matter: carbon lost abioticallylost directly to airCarbon dioxide: lost directly to airStart: Photodegradationof litter in drylandsSTARTStart: Photodegradation of litter in drylandsEnd: Photodegradationof litter in drylandsENDEnd: Photodegradation of litter in drylandsSolar radiation(including UV) breaksbonds in lignin a…📄1Solar radiation (including UV) breaks bonds in lignin and cellulosePart of the carbon islost directly as CO2without microbes📄1Part of the carbon is lost directly as CO2 without microbes
Line thickness = size of impact (1 to 5)% on a line = chance a fork takes that branch📄 = pieces of evidence on a stepNegative effectLoops backHypothesisResource used up (arrow into the step)Resource used, not used upResource made or released (arrow out of the step)
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Every step, with its evidence

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Solar radiation (including UV) breaks bonds in lignin and cellulose
SunSunlightDead organic matter
Evidence (1) · added by Skeptic
  • Austin & Vivanco 2006, doi:10.1038/nature05038: Radiation exposure accelerated litter mass loss and altered litter chemistry. (confidence 0.75)
Part of the carbon is lost directly as CO2 without microbes
SunCarbon dioxideDead organic matter
Evidence (1) · added by Skeptic
  • Austin & Vivanco 2006, doi:10.1038/nature05038: Photodegradation contributes to carbon loss from litter in semi-arid ecosystems. (confidence 0.7)