Nitrogen Level and Decomposition in Scots Pine Needle Litter

Abstract
The decomposition of Scotch pine green needles and brown needle litter was followed. The N level was initially 1.2% in green and 0.40% in brown needles. The decomposition rate of the N-rich litter was initially higher than for the nutrient-poor, but after 3 yr the accumulated weight loss was similar in both cases. The decomposition rate of the lignin of the N-rich litter was significantly lower than that of the N-poor in the incubation period after 500 days.