We chose 5 different flora matter to analyse the decomposition rate of:
American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua)
Characteristics of an American Sweetgum leaf include a broad, flat leaf; around 5-11 lobes; star-shaped; medium green colour which changes in autumn to a yellow-red shade; and v-shaped notches between the lobes (Oplin.org, 2017). The tree is native to North America and can grow up to 75ft and may spread to 50ft (Watson, 2014). It can be expected to grow in Hardiness zones 5-9 (Arborday.org, 2017). The tree requires either full sunlight or partial shade and its soil tolerances include clay, sand, acidic, alkaline and flooding (Watson, 2014). Branches are small and create a pyramidal form. In 2000 an experiment was conducted to identify stem respiration rates of CO2 enriched American Sweetgum trees; it was estimated that a daily average rate was 65.5 ± 7.6 µmol CO2 m−3 s−1 (Edwards, Tschaplinski and Norby, 2002).
European Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
The European Horse Chestnut tree is native to the Balkan Peninsula and was introduced to the UK from Turkey in the 16th Century (Arborday.org, 2017). The trees grow to a height of 130ft, and can live up to 300 years (Oplin.org, 2017) . The leaves are green in colour, broad and flat with around 7 toothed leaflets which spread from a central stem (Woodlandtrust.org.uk, 2017). It can be expected to grow in Hardiness zones 4-7 and requires full sunlight and partial shade for growth. It’s soil tolerances include acidic, moist, rich, well-drained, clay soils (Arborday.org, 2017). It has moderate growth and germination rates, and is fast in producing leaf litter. Decomposition takes a long time and requires growing fungi in cool, damp conditions (Bourne, 2011).
English Ivy Tree (Hedera Helix)
English Ivy is a vigorous, fast-growing vine tree. It typically grows to only 6-9ft but can spread up to 300ft over time. It’s leaf has 3-5 lobes, it is dark green with adventitious roots. It is native to Europe, however it was taken to the United States where it is considered to be invasive of woodland due to the climate in the Pacific Northwest. It grows easily in medium moisture, well-drained soils, with full sunlight to part shade. It also tolerates a variety of soils but thrives in rich loams (Missouribotanicalgarden.org, 2017). A quantitative study was taken which looked at the litter decomposition of ivy litter. The results concluded a high decomposition rate after sixteen weeks of between 30% and 42% (Badre, Nobelis and Trémolières, 1998).
English Oak (Quercus robur)
English Oak is a large tree of up to 160ft tall, with a broad crown and sturdy branches beneath. Oak tree growth is rapid at a young age but slows down at around 120 years (Woodlandtrust.org.uk, 2017). Their leaves are around 10cm long, they have 4-5 deep lobes with almost no stem, and grow in bunches. English Oak thrives in soils such as clay, sand, loam, alkaline and well-drained (Watson, 2017). It is native to Europe and can survive in cool regions to tropical climates too.
Pine Tree (Pinus)
Leaves from Pine Trees are slender needles in ground of 2-5 along the twigs of the tree. They arise from the stem in bundles known as fascicles. The needles of pines are arranged in a spiral around the stem and most are evergreen meaning pine trees have needles throughout the year, giving the tree the potential to photosynthesize (Science.jrank.org, 2017). The needles of pine are well adapted to dry environments, and the outer surface of the needles has a thick waxy layer which reduces water loss allowing the pine trees to survive in dry environments (Science.jrank.org,2017). Pine trees can be found all over the world and thrive in a variety of soil types and climates, they originated in Europe and Asia (Hunker.com, 2017). Pine litter rapidly falls and is invaded by fungi where it decomposes at a fast rate into into dead organic matter (Treesforlife.org.uk, 2017).
Physical Atmosphere 