Seasonal comparison of leaf processing in a Texas stream

A seasonal comparison of the processing of hackberry (Celtis laevigata) leaves in a Texas stream showed more rapid weight loss during the summer than during the winter. Processing coefficients (-k) of 0.124 (summer) and 0.074 (winter) were significantly different. The taxonomic and functional group...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American midland naturalist 1989-04, Vol.121 (2), p.219-224
Main Authors: Short, R.A. (Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos), Smith, S.L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AMBIENTE ACUATICO
ANIMAL AQUATIQUE
ANIMALES ACUATICOS
AQUATIC ANIMALS
AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
CELTIS LAEVIGATA
COURS D'EAU
CURSOS DE AGUA
DEGRADATION
degree day
DETERIORO
ECOLOGIA
ECOLOGIE
ECOLOGY
FEUILLE
Flowers & plants
Freshwater
Functional groups
Heat sums
HOJAS
INVERTEBRADOS
Invertebrata
INVERTEBRATES
INVERTEBRE
LEAVES
Macroinvertebrates
MILIEU AQUATIQUE
Plant litter
Respiration
RIVERS
SEASONAL VARIATION
Seasons
Streams
Summer
TEMPERATURA
TEMPERATURE
TEXAS
ULMACEAE
VARIACION ESTACIONAL
VARIATION SAISONNIERE
Water temperature
Winter
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Summary:A seasonal comparison of the processing of hackberry (Celtis laevigata) leaves in a Texas stream showed more rapid weight loss during the summer than during the winter. Processing coefficients (-k) of 0.124 (summer) and 0.074 (winter) were significantly different. The taxonomic and functional group compositions of the macroinvertebrates colonizing the packs were very similar with very few shredders present. When compared on a degree-day basis, there was no significant difference in processing rates between the two seasons. The lack of a change in the macroinvertebrate community and the results of the degree-day comparison indicate that temperature is the primary factor influencing processing rate in this stream.
ISSN:0003-0031
1938-4238
DOI:10.2307/2426025