scholarly journals A modification of the leaf-bags method to assess spring ecosystem functioning: benthic invertebrates and leaf-litter breakdown in Vera Spring (Central Italy)

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Cristiano ◽  
Bruno Cicolani ◽  
Francesco Paolo Miccoli ◽  
Antonio Di Sabatino
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystem ◽  
Litter Breakdown ◽  
Leaf Litter Breakdown ◽  
Detritus Processing ◽  
Stable Conditions ◽  
Leaf Bags

The evaluation of leaf detritus processing (decomposition and breakdown) is one of the most simple and cost-effective method to assess the functional characteristics of freshwater ecosystems. However, in comparison with other freshwater habitats, information on leaf litter breakdown in spring ecosystems is still scarce and fragmentary. In this paper, we present results of the first application of a variant of the leaf-bags method to assess structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages and leaf-litter breakdown in a Central Apennines (Italy) cold spring which was investigated from July 2016 to October 2016. Notwithstanding the stable conditions of almost all hydrological and physico-chemical parameters, we found significant temporal differences in (i) % of mass loss of poplar leaves (ii) number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera taxa, (iii) shredder and predator densities. We demonstrate that detritus processing in cold springs may be faster than or as fast as in warmer streams/rivers. Shredders activity and biocoenotic interactions, rather than temperature and nutrients load, were the main drivers of the process. A routine application of the modified leaf-bags may contribute to expand our knowledge on detritus processing in cold springs and may help to predict impacts of climate warming on freshwater ecosystem functioning.

scholarly journals Organic matter dynamics in a savanna transition riparian zone: input of plant reproductive parts increases leaf breakdown process

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan S. Rezende ◽  
Patrícia R.S. Correia ◽  
José F. Gonçalves Jr ◽  
Anderson M. Santos
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Riparian Zone ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Plant Litter ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Litter Breakdown ◽  
Leaf Litter Breakdown ◽  
Leaf Mass

<p>The dynamics of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) drives the functioning of most low order freshwater ecosystems. We evaluated plant litter input, litterfall, leaf litter breakdown rates, and the aquatic invertebrate community over the course of one year in a stream situation in a transition zone between savannah and Atlantic forest. Total organic matter input (litter fall) was 335 g m<sup>-2</sup> yr<sup>-1</sup>, which was mainly composed of leaves (50%). Higher values are found in the transition from dry to rainy season (September and October), probably in response to water stress. The remaining leaf mass (65% on average) was lowest in May (49%) and highest in August (79%). CPOM productivity in this transition riparian zone is higher than in other savannah systems, but lower than in Atlantic forest. The higher leaf litter breakdown in May was likely accompanied by environmental enrichment due to increase in fruits and flowers (high energy resources). The coefficient of decomposition was classified as fast (k= -0.016) and showed a positive relationship with water flow (increase in physical abrasion). Collected invertebrates were classified as 6% shredders and 12% scrapers. The remaining leaf mass showed a negative relationship with scraper abundance, highlighting the importance of these trophic groups in tropical streams. We can conclude that climate factors (e.g., rainfall) directly affect the input and quality of CPOM and, consequently, leaf decomposition in savanna/Atlantic forest transition zones. </p>

New methods for the investigation of leaf litter breakdown in river sediments

Hydrobiologia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 700 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Navel ◽  
Christophe Piscart ◽  
Florian Mermillod-Blondin ◽  
Pierre Marmonier
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
River Sediments ◽  
Litter Breakdown ◽  
Leaf Litter Breakdown ◽  
New Methods

scholarly journals Present Effects of Past Wildfires on Leaf Litter Breakdown in Stream Ecosystems

2010 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Koetsier ◽  
Teresa R. B. Krause ◽  
Quenton M. Tuckett
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Stream Ecosystems ◽  
Litter Breakdown ◽  
Leaf Litter Breakdown
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document