A 3-compartment model was formulated to simulate the dynamic development of mass, N concentrations and C/N ratios in decomposing forest litterbags, over time, across a wide range of climate, site and litter type conditions, based on 8 predictor variables and 12 best-fitted parameters. The compartments refer to the fast, slowly and very slowly decomposing fractions of the litter. The model was calibrated with the 1992 to 2000 litterbag data of the Canadian Intersite Decomposition Experiment (CIDET), involving 10 different litter types (Trembling Aspen, American Beech, Douglas Fir, White Birch, Jack Pine, Black Spruce, Tamarack, Western Red Cedar, Bracken Fern, Plains Rough Fescue). These bags were distributed across 21 sites (18 upland [...]
