Rainfall distribution variability controls surface but not belowground litter decomposition in a semi-arid shrubland

These findings support that rainfall variability in terms of distribution pattern rather than in the amount controls the litter decomposition on the soil surface in the semi-arid shrubland. Meanwhile, soil burial or litter mixing have greater effects on litter decomposition, individually or jointly. Together, our results highlight the need to consider rainfall distribution variability and incorporate soil-covering and litter-mixing as driving factors of organic matter turnover in drylands.