Litter and root decomposition in alpine tundra.

Plant tissues, foliage, and roots were collected from Niwot Ridge tundra species and composited into separate 2-gm samples. Foliage was placed in 10x20 cm litter bags with a 2mm^2 mesh to allow entry of invertebrates. Root tissues were placed in 10x20 cm^2 polyester fabric bags to prevent loss of fine root particulates. The foliage litter bags were placed on the tundra surface and secured by 10-penny nails. Root bags were buried in slits 15 cm deep. Each of the 18 1-m^2 research plots, consisted of 2 rows of 5 surface litterbags each. The upper row (with respect to slope) served as the control. The lower row was treated with ammonium nitrate at a rate of 20 g per m^2. Nitrogen will be applied at 3 monthly intervals during each of the growing seasons for the duration of the study. Litter bags (1 surface and 1 buried from each control and treatment) were collected from each plot on 18 September 1993. Additional collections are to be made in spring and fall of 1994 and spring of 1995. The samples are to be analyzed for changes in total mass, N concentration, and variation in C fractions