1. Select at least 5 representative sites across your city, including both terrestrial
and aquatic ecosystems.
2. Measure decomposition rates in each location.
3. Calculate an average rate of decomposition across all 5 sites.
In terrestrial locations,
decomposition rates can be
estimated by measuring the loss
in mass of leaf litter
decomposition in terrestrial
locations (Karberg et al., 2008).
In aquatic locations, they can be estimated by
placing leaf litter or cotton strips in bags affixed
to a location and measuring the decomposition
rates of the material over time.