Electron Transport System (ETS) Activity in Alder Leaf Litter in Two Contrasting Headwater Streams

✍ Scribed by Tadeusz Fleituch; Maria Leichtfried

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 112 KB
• Volume: 92
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1434-2944
• DOI: 10.1002/iroh.200610986

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Decomposition rates, carbon and nitrogen concentrations and respiration electron transport (ETS) activity in alder leaf litter were examined by bag exposition method in two contrasting 2^nd^ order streams. Oberer Seebach, Austria (alpine, limestone, karstic) and Goscibia, Poland (sub mountain, flysh) contrasted in catchment geology, channel hydrology, thermal regime and water chemistry. Despite differences in water temperature, the breakdown rates did not show statistical differences. However, the C:N ratio in alder leaf litter varied significantly between two sites. The potential ETS activity was significantly higher in the colder Goscibia and weakly related to stream thermal regimes. The effect of temperature on ETS of alder leaves was not the dominating factor. It was masked by variation of other factors like stream chemistry and the contribution of fine sediments, which are related to stream morphology and channel hydrology. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)