The decomposition of standing and fallen litter of <i>Typha glauca</i> and <i>Scirpus fluviatilis</i>

Davis, Craig B.; Valk, Arnold G. van der

doi:10.1139/b78-073

Cited by 115 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Typha sp. litter decomposition rates in natural wetlands tended to be higher, with an average of 0.76 y-' (range 0.64 to 1.02 y-') in studies by Thorrnann and Bayley (1997), Mason and Brant (1975), Davis andvan der Valk (1978), andPuriveth (1980). These literature values suggest a trend of increasing coarse particulate decomposition rate with wetland age.…”

Section: Daysmentioning

confidence: 70%

Detrital Decomposition As a Measure of Ecosystem Function in Created Wetlands

Spieles

Mora

2007

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

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Mitigation wetland performance is typically assessed with indicators of ecosystem structure and organization, such as plant community composition. While structural indicators can confirm the establishment of a wetland, the degree to which they measure system function is debatable. We evaluated the potential of coarse particulate litter decomposition as a measure of ecosystem function in three created wetlands of different hydrologic regimes and different a g e s 4 , 12, and 155 years. We evaluated litter decomposition rates among the three wetlands relative to site-specific characteristics of vegetation, substrate conditions, and hydrologic regime. Decomposition rates differed among these wetlands, and age effects were strongly influenced by site conditions and environmental factors. Hydrologic regime was the most significant interaction factor with decomposition and likely was a confounding factor for an age-based trajectory of detrital dynamics. These results suggest that decomposition dynamics can be a useful indicator of developing ecosystem function but only in carefully selected wetlands of similar hydrologic regime.

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Section: Daysmentioning

confidence: 70%

Detrital Decomposition As a Measure of Ecosystem Function in Created Wetlands

Spieles

Mora

2007

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

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“…Carrion decomposition and nutrient budgets--Vertebrate carrion can be a locally abundant, readily available source of nutri- Davis andvan der Valk 1978 Boyd 1970 This study This study ents. As P can be a limiting nutrient to aquatic ecosystem productivity, one ramification of the process of vertebrate carrion decomposition is that some P is effectively removed from biotic utilization.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Nutrient cycling in a freshwater marsh: The decomposition of fish and waterfowl carrion

Parmenter

Lamarra²

1991

Limnology & Oceanography

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We measured decomposition rates and nutrient loss sequences of rainbow trout (Qncorhynchus mykiss) and pintail duck (Anas acutas) carcasses in a Wyoming marsh over a lo-month period (July-May). Data on carcass mass loss were fit to single-and double-exponential decomposition models. Fish carrion decomposed more rapidly and completely than waterfowl carrion; after 10 months, fish carcasses had lost 85% of their initial dry mass (leaving only scales and bones), while duck carcasses had lost only 30% (leaving feathers and bones). Fish carrion lost 95% of the original carcass N and 60% of carcass P; waterfowl carrion lost 65Oh of carcass N, but only 300/o of carcass P. The sequence of total elemental loss rates from carcasses was K > Na 1 N > S 1 P > Ca = Mg and was similar for fish and waterfowl carrion, Percentage elemental compositions of carcasses changed temporally with K, Na, and N decreasing in concentration and Mg, Ca, P, and S increasing. Vertebrate carrion decomposition differed from plant litter decomposition, both qualitatively (different nutrient loss sequences) and quantitatively (faster mass loss rates). We suggest that vertebrate carrion can function as a nutrient source for some elements (N, K, Na, and S) and as a partial nutrient sink for others (P, Ca, and Mg). Although the quantitative importance of carrion-derived elements to ecosystem nutrient budgets is site-specific, studies have shown that in aquatic environments supporting large vertebrate populations, carrion decomposition can contribute significant amounts of important nutrients that ultimately influence the structure and functioning ofthe aquatic ecosystem.

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“…Surface litter in wetlands gen-erally decomposes faster when flooded than unflooded or infrequently flooded (Brinson, 1977;Davis and van der Valk, 1978;Bruquetas de Zozaya and Neiff, 1991;van der Valk et al, 1991;Neckles and Neill, 1994). This positive effect of flooding on surface litter decomposition has been ascribed to the maintenance of adequate soil moisture for microbial/fungal colonization and activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%