Living organisms organic matter species

In all experiments, assimilation was determined more by the type of diet, that is the species composition of microflora and the proportion of living and non-living organic matter, than by the technique used. Thus, while criticisms of some of the techniques used to measure assimilation. . . may have a physiological basis, it appears that differences in digestion of various food sources are so great that they cannot be attributed to the method used. 

The biomass of Tundra ecosystems gradually increases from 4-7 ton/ha for moss-lichen tundra to 28-29 ton/ha by dry weight for low-bush tundra. In the northern tundra, the plant biomass and dead organic matter are eventually shared. Southwards this percentage tends to diminish, and low-bush living biomass is smaller than dead plant remains mass. A typical feature of the Tundra ecosystems plant species is the prevalence of underground matter (roots) up to 70-80% of the total biomass. 

Ecosystems subjected to oxidant air pollutants must be carefully observed and described individually if we are to understand and predict the complex consequences of chronic injury. Woodwell has summarized some of the expected effects of air pollutants on ecosystems elimination of sensitive species and reduction of diversity in numbers of species selective removal of larger overstoiy plants and a favoring of small plants reduction of the standing crop of organic matter, which leads to a reduction of nutrient elements held within the living system and increase in the activity of insect pests and in some diseases that hasten producer mortality. Many other effects can be suggested. 

Grafa, M. A., Newell, S. Y. Kneib, R. T. (2000). Grazing rates of organic matter and living fungal biomass of decaying Spartina alterniflora by three species of salt-marsh invertebrates. Marine Biology, 136, 281-9. 

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