Do microbes matter? Using global data to test implicit versus explicit representation of microbial activity in litter decomposition models

• Elizabeth C. Adair

Abstract
Despite the major contribution of decomposition to global carbon and nitrogen cycles, it remains poorly understood. This uncertainty is reflected in the diversity of approaches used to depict decomposition in ecosystem models and in debate regarding if, or how, microbes should be explicitly represented. I propose to compile a large-scale, long-term database of litter decomposition data, which I will use to compare two sets of decomposition models: the first varies only in how microbial activity is modeled; the second compares the best model(s) from the first set to a range of published models. Conducting a sophisticated model comparison using spatially and temporally extensive data will allow me to evaluate the relevance of explicitly incorporating microbial activity into large-scale decomposition models and compare the ability of published models to accurately describe global decomposition.