Leaf litter stoichiometry is considered to be an important factor affecting litter decomposition. In some studies, chemistry of green foliage has been considered representative for litter chemistry in spite of the fact that foliage and litter stoichiometry are different.
Additionally, litter chemistry varies during decomposition. In our study we compare the effect of C:N ratio of green foliage and actual litter on decomposition in a long-term incubation experiment.