Impact of highway construction on leaf processing in aquatic habitats of eastern Tennessee

Rates of leaf litter processing at eight sites were used in conjunction with other methods to evaluate the impact of highway construction on aquatic habitats. Leaf processing was fastest in a reference riffle above an area of highway construction but was significantly slower in the reference pool du...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1989-07, Vol.178 (3), p.233-242
Main Authors: STOUT, B. M, COBURN, C. B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Fresh water environment
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
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Summary:Rates of leaf litter processing at eight sites were used in conjunction with other methods to evaluate the impact of highway construction on aquatic habitats. Leaf processing was fastest in a reference riffle above an area of highway construction but was significantly slower in the reference pool due to low current velocity and the absence of shredders. Leaf processing in a riffle below the highway was slower than the reference riffle, and the number of shredders was reduced. Removal of streamside vegetation during highway construction caused increased stream temperatures and reduced the amount of natural leaf accumulations, thereby reducing shredder habitat. At other sites highway construction caused less of an impact then preexisting environmental influences. Leaf processing in a riffle of a lower pH stream was significantly slower than in the reference riffle.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/BF00006030