Litter decomposability determines litter mass loss rate, but how it affects soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storage remains elusive. We compiled data from 25 litter decomposition studies tracing the fate of C and N during decomposition using stable C and N isotopes. An average of 24% of C lost from decomposing litter was recovered in the soil independent of the decomposition stage and the experimental conditions. In contrast, a higher amount of N lost from decomposing litter was recovered in the soil in laboratory (80%) than in field (58%) experiments. The proportion of the total C and N lost that was transferred to the soil was higher for slowly than for rapidly decomposing litter types. Our results demonstrate substantial soil C and especially N input from decomposing litters and suggest that slowly decomposing litters favor soil C and N storage compared to more rapidly decomposing litters.

凋落物的可分解性决定了凋落物的质量损失率，但是它如何影响土壤碳（C）和氮（N）的存储仍然难以捉摸。我们收集了25个凋落物分解研究的数据，这些研究追踪了使用稳定的C和N同位素分解过程中C和N的命运。与分解阶段和实验条件无关，在分解土壤中平均回收了24％的C碳。相反，在实验室（80％）比在田间实验（58％）中，从分解的枯枝落叶中回收的氮损失量更高。缓慢转移的土壤和快速分解的凋落物类型相比，转移到土壤中的总C和N损失比例更高。