Abstract:Three independent approaches have been used to estimate the decomposition rate of bracken litter. Despite differences in techniques, these estimates are all in the same order of magnitude. 1)The weight loss of litter components was 20--22% after 40 weeks in field from which was derived the annual decay rate of 0.317--0.321g/g/yr. using an exponential regression of loge weight remaining of litter against time. 2)The predicted value of total annual O2 consumption by respiration in litter components showed that 21.04--24.38% weight loss was resulted from microbial respiration. 3)The constant fraction loss rate of total surface bracken litter, estimated from input and accumulated standing crop, was 0.26.