Ecological Processes

Table 3 Root mass remaining (%), decomposition constants (k, year⁻¹) and the associated R² values of the four root-order classes obtained by fitting a single exponential decay model for the two subtropical tree species (mean with SE in parentheses, n = 3)

From: Root-order-associated variations in fine-root decomposition and their effects on soil in a subtropical evergreen forest

Root litter	C. fargesii			S. superba
Root litter	Mass remaining (%)	k (year⁻¹)	R²	Mass remaining (%)	k (year⁻¹)	R²
RO1–2	79.4 (3.5)^a	0.17	0.81	86.4 (2.2)^a	0.10	0.77
RO3	78.4 (5.2)^a	0.19	0.58	84.1 (1.6)^ab	0.12	0.88
RO4	68.4 (2.5)^b	0.30	0.76	83.7 (1.5)^ab	0.12	0.77
RO5	63.9 (2.4)^b	0.34	0.74	80.4 (2.6)^b	0.15	0.88

Mean with different letters are significantly different between two root-order classes (P ≤ 0.05)
RO1–2 refers to the combination of the 1st- and 2nd-order roots, RO3, RO4 and RO5 refer to the 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-order roots, respectively

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