Green Leaf Decomposition in Coastal Plain Streams

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Abstract
Decomposition of green Acer rubrum leaves was examined in a disturbed and an undisturbed stream. Decomposition rates were not significantly different between the two streams. There was no apparent pattern of invertebrate colonization, and leaf packs in the two streams were similar in invertebrate density. Summer shed leaves had significantly higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium than autumn shed leaves. In spite of higher leaf input in the autumn, phosphorus input from leaf fall per m2 was four times higher in the summer indicating that green leaf input may affect stream productivity.