Dear Tropical Montane Cloud Forest Researchers,
As a part of an NSF-funded research coordination network on tropical montane science and ecology (CloudNet, http://cloudnet.agsci.colostate.edu), we are organizing a global study on decomposition processes in tropical montane forests (TMFs) with an emphasis on including cloud-affected areas or “cloud forests.” Specifically, we are interested in examining decomposition across large geographic scales as well as within sites along environmental gradients (climate, land use, soil fertility, etc.). A pan-TMF study will help evaluate the commonalities and contrasts in a key ecosystem process across TMFs as well enabling comparisons with other ecosystems such as lowland tropical forests. We have designed this study with methods that will be directly comparable with a pantropical decomposition study conducted at 27 sites in lowland tropical forests (Powers et al. 2011, J. Ecol). This study will use a short-term litterbag and ‘popsicle stick’ experiment to evaluate decomposition rates and processes of leaves and wood in TMFs. Similar to the Powers et al. (2011) study, we will use a common leaf standard (bay leaves), place bags above- and belowground, and make decomposition bags of two different mesh sizes to examine the influence of micro- vs. macrofauna. In addition, we will add a wood decomposition component (Meier et al. 2012, Soil. Biol. Biochem.). We have a detailed methods protocol that will be sent to all participants. Litterbags will be provided for all participants as well, ready to be put out in the field. To participate, the study will require a minimum of 3 visits to at least one location in your TMF site: the 1st to initiate the study at the beginning of the wet season in your site in 2017, and the 2nd and 3rd to collect and weigh the samples (approximately 3 months and 7 months after deployment). All contributing researchers will be granted co-authorship on the manuscript of this work. If you are interested in participating in this study or have questions about the specifics, please email Jim Dalling (dalli...@life.illinois.edu<mailto:dalli...@life.illinois.edu>), Becky Ostertag (oster...@hawaii.edu<mailto:oster...@hawaii.edu>), or Patrick Martin (patrick.mar...@colostate.edu<mailto:patrick.mar...@colostate.edu>) no later than March 1st, 2017. Also, please feel free to pass this opportunity along to other researchers who would be interested in participating. Jim, Becky, Patrick
