Photodegradation and Its Effect on Plant Litter Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Systematic Review

Photodegradation is an important mechanism that affects carbon and nutrient cycling; a significant amount of data has been reported previously. The present review includes the effect wider spectrum solar radiation (sun light, UV, visible light) on plant litter decay in terrestrial ecosystems. Although positive photodegradation decomposition most common, substantial number studies reports contrasting results. Litter from 148 species, 41 families, have used studies, representing functional groups trees (33%), graminoids (30%), shrubs (23%), forbs (11%), peat (1%). majority focused mass loss, growing focuses release. Positive effects loss are common across different climate regions laboratory whereas “positive” influence “no effect” nitrogen lignin release equally temperate sub-tropical environments. This may potentially be due to other processes which increase relevance with increasing moisture can facilitate microbial activity, leaching, fractioning by soil fauna. In addition region, initial quality influences photodegradation. Field-based experiments frequently obtain results, suggesting mechanisms controlling responses unclear might dependent several interactions, and/or differences experimental approaches (such as UV filters), or coverage particles. Future research should focus interactions between factors, conducting test specific relationships such potential interaction photodegradation, moisture, communities, fauna, their (both release). Furthermore, topic would benefit international applying same approach, successfully conducted fields.