Long Description of Figure:

Graph showing phases of decomposition of Douglas-fir logs in western Oregon and Washington -- Phase 1: Mass remains the same over first three years due to lag; Phase 2: Mass remaining drops from 100% to 89% over next nine years due to fragmentation, leaching and microbial mineralization; Phase 3: Mass remaining drops from 90% to 39% over next 73 years due to microbial mineralization and further fragmentation loss; Phase 4: Stable phase, mass remaining drops only 1% (to 38%) over next 107 years due to lignin degradation