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Eucalypt leaf decomposition in an intermittent stream in south-eastern Australia

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Abstract

Eucalypt leaf packs were placed at two sites in an intermittent stream during summer to examine the hypothesis that terrestrially-exposed leaf litter accumulates a richer microbial flora than submerged leaves — a phenomenon observed in Canadian temporary vernal pools. This did not occur; during the experiment, microbial biomass (as ATP) rose steadily on submerged leaves but remained low on terrestrially-exposed leaves. Densities of most functional feeding groups on the submerged leaves increased with time. Scrapers appeared to be more important than shredders in eucalypt leaf breakdown at both sites.

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  1. A. J. Boulton

    Present address: Centre for Stream Ecology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Monash University, 3168, Clayton, Victoria, Australia

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  1. Department of Zoology, University of Adelaide, G.P.O. Box 498, 5001, Adelaide, South Australia

    A. J. Boulton

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Boulton, A.J. Eucalypt leaf decomposition in an intermittent stream in south-eastern Australia. Hydrobiologia 211, 123–136 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00037368

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