Long Description of Figure:

Graph showing phases of decomposition in red pine needles in Massachusetts -- Phase 1: Mass drops from 100% to 90% over first three months due to leaching and microbial colonization; Phase 2: Mass drops from 90% to 25% then slows to 20% over next 32 to 38 months due to cellulose loss; Phase 3: Stable phase, mass drops only 1% (to 19%) over next 36 months due to lignin loss