Nutrient addition does not enhance leaf decomposition in a Southeastern Brazilian stream (Espinhaço mountain range)

Brazilian Journal of Biology

M. Abelho²  M. Moretti¹  J. França¹  M. Callisto¹ 

[1] ,Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra Escola Superior Agrária Coimbra,Portugal

关键词: eucalyptus leaf breakdown;    nutrients;    ATP concentrations;    macroinvertebrates;    tropical stream;    decomposição de folhas de eucalipto;    nutrientes;    concentração de ATP;    macroinvertebrados;    riacho tropical;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842010000400007

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

A decomposition experiment using eucalyptus leaves was carried out in a Southeastern Brazilian mountain stream located at the transition between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest to test whether nutrient addition increases microbial and invertebrate colonisation and accelerates breakdown rates. The results show that none of the tested variables was significantly affected by nutrient addition, despite the average increase in ATP concentrations and invertebrate colonisation observed in the fertilised leaf bags. This could mean that breakdown in the stream was already at its maximum due to the relatively high water temperature and nutrient content, or that the breakdown rate of eucalyptus leaves was too fast to allow the detection of any effects of nutrient addition. Breakdown rates of eucalyptus leaves were much faster than the values reported in literature for most species in Brazilian Cerrado streams, suggesting that the replacement of the natural vegetation by eucalyptus may affect nutrient dynamics in the region.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
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