Drivers of deadwood decay of 13 temperate tree species are similar between forest and grassland habitats

Deadwood provides an important carbon source in forests and wooded ecosystems and, accordingly, forest management strategies discuss the enrichment of deadwood amount diversity by different tree species. To investigate decomposition processes enriched deadwood, we simultaneously placed 3,669 size-standardized gamma sterilized wood specimens 13 species ( Populus tremula, Tilia cordata, Prunus avium, Betula pendula, Carpinus betulus, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur, Fagus sylvatica, Acer platanoides, Larix decidua, Pinus sylvestris, Picea abies , Pseudotsuga menziesii ) at a total 300 grassland plots three regions Germany covering large gradients intensity environmental conditions. After 1 year, mass loss was calculated its relationship with traits conditions assessed to determine most factors. Mass overall higher compared habitats, as driver, followed region factors related microclimate. However, less relevant explain both habitats. Our results suggest that even after removal endophytes, is influenced same drivers (positively moisture abundance macronutrients, negatively lignin phenol concentration) naturally occurring wood. Furthermore, due immense standardized experimental setting, our study contributes better understanding thus basis for predictions cycle changing world.