Leaching and early mass loss of boreal leaves and wood in oligotrophic water

摘要: Following immersion in water, allochthonous litter undergoes aprocess of substantial leaching that is difficult to quantify yetimportant exclude from analyses the role ofmacroinvertebrates subsequent breakdown. Laboratory experimentswhich measured aqueous release total phosphorus anddissolved organic carbon undried leaves (deciduous andconiferous) and woody debris (twigs bark) revealed theperiod a prolonged process developing over weeks.Immersion 6 species riparian trees 4oligotrophic Canadian Shield lakes demonstrated leaveslost 18% their mass after 2 wk, debrisexperienced 0.2 27% loss 7 wk. Studies concernedwith quantifying macroinvertebrates breakdown ofallochthonous lentic water should therefore disregardsuch losses.