Consider the decomposition of organic materials that occurs (1) following fall leaf drop in a mixed deciduous hardwood forest growing on a slightly acidic soil and (2) following plowing a vigorously growing alfalfa hay stand into the the pH 7 soil it is growing on.
a. In which scenario would decomposition be most rapid? Why?
b. In which scenario would you expect bacterial decomposition to be dominant and in which would you expect fungal decomposition to be dominant? Why?
c. After one month of decomposition in which scenario would you expect to find more mineral nitrogen (ammonium and nitrate) in the soil? Why?