Factors affecting Picea mongolica litter decomposition in forests of different ages

Key Points

• Litter decomposition rates vary significantly across forest ages, impacting nutrient cycling and carbon storage.
• During the observations, younger forests showed 25% faster decomposition rates compared to older forests.
• Analysis across various forest ages highlighted the role of microbial activity in litter breakdown processes.
• These findings suggest that forest management should consider age-related factors to optimize decomposition.