Seasonal variations in the availability of labile substrate confound the temperature dependence of organic matter decomposition

► It models the problem of inferring the temperature dependence of decomposition. ► Seasonal changes in labile substrate confound the inferred temperature dependence. ► Labile substrates cause more problems than recalcitrant substrates. ► Autumn litter fall causes the most serious problems. ► Temperature dependencies obtained with different methods can be reconciled.