Nitrogen level and decomposition in Scots pine needle litter

The decomposition of Scots pine green needles and brown needle litter was followed. The nitrogen level was initially 1.2% in green and 0.40% in brown needles. The decomposition rate of the nitrogen-rich litter was initially higher than for the nutrient-poor but after three years the accumulated weight loss was similar in both cases. It was found that the decomposition rate of the lignin of the nitrogen-rich litter was significantly lower than that of the nitrogen-poor in the incubation period after 500 d.