首页|Leaf-litter decomposition in headwater streams: A comparison of the process among four climatic regions

Leaf-litter decomposition in headwater streams: A comparison of the process among four climatic regions

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  • NSTL
  • North Amer Benthological Soc
The main purpose of our work was to elucidate factors responsible for the geographical differences in leaf-litter decomposition rates in Spanish oligotrophic headwater streams. Decomposition experiments with alder (Alnus glutinosa) leaf litter were carried out in 22 headwater streams in 4 different climatic regions across the Iberian Peninsula (Cornisa Cantbrica, Cordillera Litoral Catalana, Sierra de Guadarrama, and Sierra Nevada). Streams that were similar in size, flowed mainly over siliceous substrate in catchments with scarce human settlements and activities, and fell within a range of low nutrient concentrations were chosen in each region. Breakdown rates were regionally variable and were low (0.1090.198% ash-free dry mass [AFDM]/degree day [dd]) in the Cornisa Cantbrica, the most mesic and Atlantic region, and high (0.3020.639% AFDM/dd) in Sierra de Guadarrama, one of the coldest and most inland areas. Temperature was not the determining factor affecting differences in breakdown rates among regions, and breakdown rates were not related to concentrations of dissolved nutrients. However, microbial reproductive activity (sporulation rates) was significantly correlated with dissolved P concentration. Breakdown rates were explained better by presence and feeding activities of detritivores than by decomposer activity. Incorporation of breakdown rates in assessment schemes of stream ecological status will be difficult because leaf processing does not respond unequivocally to environmental factors when climatic regions are considered. Thus, regional adjustments of baseline standards in reference conditions will be required.

decompositioneutrophicationfungiheadwater streamsinvertebratesleaf litterSpain

Casas, J.、Menéndez, M.、Pozo, J.、González, J.M.、Larra?aga, A.、López, E.、Lusi, M.、Moya, O.、Pérez, J.、Riera, T.、Roblas, N.、Salinas, M.J.、Mollá, S.、Arostegui, I.、Basaguren, A.、Casado, C.、Descals, E.、García-Avilés, J.

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Dpto. Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Universidad de Almería, Ctra. Sacramento s/n, La Ca?ada, 04120 Almería, Spain

Dpto. Ecología, F. Biología, Universidad de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain

Dpto. Biología Vegetal y Ecología, F. Ciencia y Tecnología, UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain

Dpto. Biología y Geología, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, C/ Tulipán, s/n, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain

Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados, IMEDEA (CSIC), Miquel Marqués 21, 07190 Esporles, Mallorca, Spain

Centro de Investigaciones Ambientales de la Comunidad de Madrid, Ctra. M-607 km 20, 28760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain

Dpto. Ecología, F. Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Darwin 2, 28049 Madrid, Spain

Dpto. Matemática Aplicada e Investigación Operativa, F. Ciencia y Tecnología, UPV/EHU, Apdo. 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain

Dpto. de Ecología, F. de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, C/ José Antonio Novais, 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain

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2011

10.1899/10-153.1

Journal of the North American Benthological Society

Journal of the North American Benthological Society

SCI
ISSN：0887-3593
年,卷(期)：2011.30(4)
  • 43
  • 72