Leaf litter decomposition in aquatic and terrestrial realms of a second-order forested stream system

Abstract

We conducted a leaf decomposition experiment by placing leaf litter bags in pool and riffle zone in a second-order forested stream, the Yanase River. Identical leaf bags were also placed in the adjacent floodplain and the surrounding forest habitat. Leaves from sakura (Prunus lannesiana) and keyaki (Zelkova serrata) trees from the surrounding forest were placed in multiple mesh bags, which were then sampled regularly from November 13, 2002 to May 20, 2003. The average rate of decomposition was greatest in the riffle habitat, followed by pool, floodplain, and forest floor. Sakura leaves decayed more readily than keyaki leaves. © 2006, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.