Litter decomposition in pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) mounds of the Colorado alpine tundra.

This research was designed to examine the interaction of effects of gopher disturbance and aspect on litter decomposition on alpine tundra. Kobresia myosuroides foliage collected from Niwot Ridge was dried and placed into 10x20 cm litter bags. About 2 g of plant material were placed in the litter bags. One-hundred and sixty (160) litter bags were constructed of polyester mesh with a mesh size of 2mm^2. Forty (40) litter bags were placed inside of gopher mounds, at the interface between the mounded (gopher excavated) soil and the original soil surface (top of the O horizon), located on a slope with a southern aspect. An additional 40 litter bags were placed on the soil surface near these gopher mounds. The remaining 80 bags were similarly paired on gopher mounds and undisturbed soils on a slope with a northern aspect. All litter bags were placed in the field on 1 July 1993, and an initial harvest was done on the same date in order to assess the effect of handling and transport to the field. The second harvest was undertaken on 11 September 1993, at which time 31 bags were harvested. Retrieved litter bags were dried at 80 degrees Celsius for approximately 24 hr. The litter was removed from the litter bags and weighed. Litter weight loss was calculated to estimate decomposition rates. Four remaining harvests are scheduled: spring 1994, autumn 1994, spring 1995, and autumn 1995