The effects of simulated acid rain on leaf litter decomposition of Phyllostachys pubescens were studied by litterbag methods in Lin'an City of Zhejiang Province since September 2006

which is in severe acid rain stress regions. Three simulated acid rain treatments were applied to the litter decomposition: severe acid rain (pH 2.5)

moderate acid rain (pH 4.0) and control (pH 5.6). There were three repeats in each treatment. The results showed that the litter decomposition rate of P. pubescens leaf has been slowed down with the increase of the stress grade of acid rain. The litter decomposition rate of P. pubescens leaf was the fastest in the control treatment (decomposition rate is 0.69)

was medium in the moderate acid rain stress (0.57)

and was the lowest in the severe acid rain stress (0.33). Time for 95% of 〖WTBX〗P. pubescens litter has been decomposed under the severe acid rain stress

moderate acid rain stress and control treatment are 9.08a

5.26a and 4.34 a

respectively. The sensitivity of the litter decomposition rate of P. pubescens leaf to acid rain has become strong with the increase of the acid stress.