Ecological Implications of Organic Mulches in Arboriculture: A Mechanistic Pathway Connecting the Use of Organic Mulches with Tree Chemical Defenses

Conceptual model illustrating the effect of organic mulches on plant nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) uptake, and C allocation. White circles represent main inputs and transitional forms of C in the mode. Black squares represent processes associated with soil N availability and soil environmental conditions. White squares represent plant processes associated with resource acquisition. Gray squares represent plant processes associated with photosynthate allocation.