Data product containing litterfall, decomposition, and leaf area index data for "Surface Fuel Litterfall and Decomposition in the Northern Rocky Mountains, USA"

This data publication contains the collected field data for the following publication: "Surface Fuel Litterfall and Decomposition in the Northern Rocky Mountains, USA" by Robert E. Keane (see Cross-Reference section in the metadata document). Data include 11 years of surface fuel litterfall and decomposition from 28 plots that represent a number of major forest types that span a wide range of biophysical environments in the northern Rocky Mountains. Litterfall was measured using semi-annual collections of fallen biomass sorted into six fuel components (fallen foliage, twigs, branches, large branches, logs, and all other material). Decomposition of fine fuels (foliage, twigs, branches and large branches) were measured and monitored for biomass loss for 3-6 years. Monthly leaf area index (LAI) as well as stand characteristics were measured for 28 plots across seven different sites in the northern Rocky Mountains.
The study was specifically designed to quantify fuel dynamics parameters, for a number of forest types across the northern Rocky Mountains, for use in complex landscape models of fire and vegetation dynamics. This included the calculation of deposition rates for the surface fuel components, as well as percent mass loss and decomposition rate of fuel components. We also wanted to correlate decomposition rates and litterfall rates with stand and vegetation characteristics, and document any major changes in forest canopy as a function of leaf area index during the study.
This study originated from two previous studies that explored the use of ecosystem modeling and gradient analysis to create digital maps of current and future landscape characteristics. See the Cross-Reference section for publications with more details. Original metadata date was 9/15/2008. Metadata modified on 02/07/2011 to adjust citation to include the addition of a DOI (digital object identifier). Minor changes made to metadata on 02/07/2013 when this data publication became available through R&D Data Archive. Minor metadata updates on 12/20/2016.