Identifier	Thesis 2170
Author	Sarkar, Babul Kanti, 1971-
Title	Leaf litter processing by stream macroinvertebrates
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University;
Date of Publication	2011
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Abstract	To investigate leaf litter processing in local streams, a study was conducted during the fall of 2009 with two native tree species, northern red oak (Quercus rubra) and red maple (Acer rubrum) and an invasive species, Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica). Multiple leaf packs of 5 g of each leaf type were submerged into three streams (Sandy Brook, Bass Brook and the Eightmile River). Leaf packs of all three species were placed at the Sandy and Bass Brook sites. But leaf packs of only native species were placed at the Eightmile River site. Replicate leaf packs were removed from the streams after 7, 15 and 45 days. Macroinvertebrates were separated from the leaves and identified to family. Leaf processing coefficients were calculated using the percent leaves remaining over time. Among the three species, red maple decomposed faster than either northern red oak or Japanese knotweed likely because it contains less decay-resistant compounds (lignins, tannins) and has a smoother leaf surface, which is favorable for macroinvertebrates. Leaf processing coefficients were also higher in red maple due to its faster decomposition rates. The invasive species, Japanese knotweed, was colonized with the maximum number of macroinvertebrates at the Sandy Brook site. However, the number of macroinvertebrates was higher on northern red oak at the Bass Brook and Eightmile River sites. The majority of macroinvertebrates at the Sandy and Bass Brook sites were from the Orders Trichoptera and Diptera whereas more diverse colonization by macroinvertebrates was found at the Eightmile River site which included the Orders Trichoptera, Plecoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. This difference in macroinvertebrate colonization may be due to stream characteristics as well as the degree of human disturbance. Among the different functional groups of macroinvertebrates, collectors were dominant at all the three sites which indicates that macroinvertebrates used the leaf packs primarily as shelter.
Subject	Forest litter -- Biodegradation -- Connecticut Plant litter -- Biodegradation -- Connecticut
Department	Department of Biology
Advisor	Penniman, Clayton A.
Type	Text;
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
OCLC number	804653114
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Leaf litter processing by stream macroinvertebrates

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