Changes in discharge affect more surface than subsurface breakdown of organic matter in a mountain stream

摘要: Discharge fluctuations modify water depth and velocity in streams this can affect leaf litter breakdown, which is an important ecosystem function. Both during droughts, when parts of the surface dry out, floods, scour benthic surface, macroinvertebrates seek refuge subsurface. Therefore, as part them depend on organic matter, effects discharge breakdown might be greater than subsurface lotic ecosystems. To test hypothesis, we measured microbial total rates alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner) both two areas a stream, namely, permanently wet channel parafluvial areas. Reduced dried out only areas, thus, were reduced habitat. In contrast, similar habitats channel, but also area. The mitigate alterations matter streams, critical for productivity these ecosystems under increased drought frequencies.