Tree species richness increases spatial variation but not overall wood decomposition

Empirical evidence for the positive relationship between tree species richness and wood decomposition is weak, despite the greater numbers of decomposers in diverse stands. Tree species identity affects decomposition rates strongly by altering soil communities and micro-environments. It is therefore likely that tree species richness influences spatial variation rather than the mean rate of decomposition. We used a neighbourhood approach to test this hypothesis by quantifying decomposition rates and decomposer activities within deadwood, whilst measuring the surrounding micro-environments.