A comment on the use of exponential decay models to test nonadditive processing hypotheses in multispecies mixtures of litter

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Author(s)
Ostrofsky, Milton L.
Date Issued
2007
Abstract
Many studies testing hypotheses about the effects of leaf litter diversity on litter processing rates contain a systematic bias that stems from mathematically incorrect assumptions. Assuming that the mean of single-species processing rates adequately describes noninteracting mixed-species rates will consistently underestimate or miss positive interactions between species. Further, the slope of log-transformed mass loss of litter mixtures vs time is affected by the duration of the experiment. Simple solutions to these errors include separating species from litter mixtures after incubation, or comparing masses remaining rather than comparing slopes.
Journal
Journal of North American Benthological Society
Department
Biology
Citation
Ostrofsky, M.L. (2007). A comment on the use of exponential decay models to test nonadditive processing hypotheses in multispecies mixtures of litter. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 26(1):000-000.
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
ISSN
0887-3593
e1937-237X
Rights
This article is published Open Access. The author retains copyright and publication rights. Please contact the author or publisher for further use of this material.
Subjects

litter processing

litter diversity

nonadditive processin...

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