Temporal dynamics of microbial communities on decomposing leaf litter of 10 plant species in relation to decomposition rate

► We examine microbial communities on 10 decomposing litters of varying quality. ► Initial litter quality controls microbial community composition throughout decomposition. ► Contemporaneous litter quality has limited effect on microbial community composition. ► Microbial community composition explains decomposition rate late in decomposition.