Could you please clarify for me how litter and soil organic matter are distinguished in the IPCC guidance? From Table 1.1, I see that litter is above the mineral soil, whereas soil organic matter is in mineral soils. Does this mean that the entire O horizon should be classified as litter? Or just the OL horizon? In other words, should highly decomposed litter above the mineral soil be counted as “litter” or “soil organic matter”?
Question for Valentyna:
Could you please clarify for me how litter and soil organic matter are distinguished in the IPCC guidance? From Table 1.1, I see that litter is above the mineral soil, whereas soil organic matter is in mineral soils. Does this mean that the entire O horizon should be classified as litter? Or just the OL horizon? In other words, should highly decomposed litter above the mineral soil be counted as “litter” or “soil organic matter”?
Once this is answered, I need to: