Postdoctoral Researcher Stockholm University, Stockholms Lan, Sweden
Biological processes controlling plant residue decomposition are complex due to the interactions between litter chemistry and microbial acclimation/adaptation. Because we do not know these interactions well, there is a need for minimalistic models that balance ease of parameterization and mechanistic detail. Such models—by capturing trait dynamics—could provide more mechanistic insights on decomposition than models using macrochemical indices. By applying eco-evolutionary principles to litter decomposition, we developed a model that predicts the timing and rate of lignin decomposition in plant litter. This case study highlights how optimality principles allow for capturing emerging patterns in microbial processes with minimalist models.
