is occurring that is not reflected in soil nutrient conditions at these sites. A significantly

larger Ecell/En difference between the enriched and reference sites within ENP-TS

coupled with the lowest Ecell/Ep shift suggests that this area is unique in regards to

microbial enzyme activities. The combination of decreased apparent N and P limitation

on C mineralization results in greater potential decomposition at the enriched sites.

 An enzyme decomposition model was constructed using tensile strength loss of

cotton strips as a basis for cellulose decomposition. An exponential model utilizing

Ecell/Ep and total P (TP) accounted for between 46% and 92% of the variability in cotton

rottenness rates (CRR), reflecting the large influence of P availability on the microbial

community within the Everglades ecosystem.



 4) Determine the validity of different enzyme models in predicting potential

 decomposition among different litter qualities and in varying nutrient

 conditions.

 The use of the EICQ, a relative measure of hydrolytic to oxidative enzyme

activities, appears to most valid when comparing changes in vegetative types or changes

in 02 availability. This is due to the weight that the EICQ model places on the oxidative

enzymes involved in lignin degradation. However, this model was found to be

inconsistent when predicting potential decomposition along nutrient gradients in the

Everglades. Rather, the model parameters Ecell/Ep and Ecell/En, which relate the

apparent P and N influence on C mineralization respectively, predict cellulose

decomposition rates, accounting for between 46% and 92% of the variability. The most

appropriate model, which varies among the different comparisons in these studies,