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Seasonal influx and decomposition of autochthonous macrophyte litter in a north temperate estuary

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Abstract

An 18-month study was undertaken to determine the seasonal contribution and detrital processing of autochthonous plant litter in the Great Bay Estuary System of New-Hampshire-Maine, USA and adjacent open coast. Four species were studied: the halophytes, Spartina alterniflora Loisel. and Zostera marina L. and the seaweeds, Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis and Fucus vesiculosus L. v. spiralis Farlow. Monthly strand line collections at estuarine and open coastal sites provided information on the seasonal influx of litter derived from each species. Detrital inputs from S. alterniflora and Z. marina were maximal in the spring and summer, respectively. Seaweed litter was abundant (35 to 85% of the total strand line) throughout the year. The seaweeds contributed 1 to 3 times as much detrital material as the vascular plants within the Estuary, and 50 times as much on the open coast. In situ measurements of decomposition, using nylon, mesh bags, were made for each species under several environmental conditions. Seaweeds decomposed 3 to 10 times faster than vascular plant litter under similar conditions. Decomposition rates and changes in the nutrient content of litter were dependent on surrounding environmental conditions. Continual nutrient depletion occurred in litter within the strand line. Nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment were observed under submerged conditions and were attributed to microbial activity and rapid leaching of carbonaceous substrates. A computer simulation model was developed to validate the field data and to predict seasonal detrital carbon input by each species. The significance of autochthonous input is discussed in relation to other detrital sources.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and the Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH

    Michael N. Josselyn & Arthur C. Mathieson

  2. Biology Department, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, 94132, San Francisco, CA

    Arthur C. Mathieson

Authors
  1. Michael N. Josselyn
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  2. Arthur C. Mathieson
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Published with the approval of the Director of the Agriculture Experiment Station as Scientific Contribution No. 954 and as Jackson Estuarine Laboratory Contribution No. 74

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Josselyn, M.N., Mathieson, A.C. Seasonal influx and decomposition of autochthonous macrophyte litter in a north temperate estuary. Hydrobiologia 71, 197–208 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03216236

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03216236

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