Decomposition of Leaf Material

Benfield, E. F.

doi:10.1016/b978-012332908-0.50042-5

Cited by 101 publications

(122 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Bottom current velocity, depth, and light intensity were analyzed for differences that may result in biases using an ANOVA. Leaf decay was modeled through standard exponential decay models where the processing coefficient (k) could be estimated (Benfield 2006) and compared to values published in the literature. An ANOVA was performed on processing rates calculated as instantaneous slope of the linearized regression.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As leaf fall provides the most important source of potential energy for headwater stream ecosystems, alteration of leaf fall biomass, nutrient content or timing may have important ecological impacts. Meanwhile, alterations such as canopy reduction (Smock and McGregor 1988;Hetrick et al 1998;Hutchens and Benfield 2000), increases in canopy shading (Franken et al 2005;Benfield 2006;Minshall and Rugenski 2006) or an alteration of the timing of leaf shading (Benfield 2006;Minshall and Rugenski 2006) disrupt autochthonous pathways that are temporally important sources of energy, even in streams with dense riparian forests (Fausch et al 2002;Kiffney et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rapid in-stream decomposition of leaves of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), an invasive tree species

Freund

Thobaben

Barkowski

et al. 2013

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

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Headwater streams derive a majority of their energy from allochthonous inputs; alteration of these inputs may lead to changes in stream communities and ecological function. Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is invasive over much of the northern United States and southern Canada, and has the potential to become an ecosystem dominant and alter stream communities. However, while much is known of the effects of buckthorn on terrestrial ecosystems, little is known of its effects on aquatic ecosystems. Using leaf collection nets, we estimated that leaf fall to the stream consisted predominantly of green ash (69.0%) and common buckthorn (24.2%). Green ash leaves fell from September through mid-October, reaching its peak in early October, whereas common buckthorn contributed leaves for an additional month until mid-November. We placed leaf packs of common buckthorn and two native species, American elm and green ash, in a headwater stream to determine differences in leaf decomposition rates. Common buckthorn leaves decomposed more rapidly than the native species, with processing coefficients of 6.9 (ash) and 5.3 (elm) times greater. After 21 days of incubation, buckthorn leaf packs had less than half the initial biomass remaining, whereas ash and elm did not reach this point within this 84-day study. These results suggest that buckthorn has the potential to alter stream food webs by changing the timing of leaf fall and the duration of available allochthonous energy sources. Changes to riparian forests are likely to be exacerbated as common buckthorn alters soils to inhibit the growth of other trees and as the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle, adversely affects native ash forests.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid in-stream decomposition of leaves of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), an invasive tree species

Freund

Thobaben

Barkowski

et al. 2013

Journal of Freshwater Ecology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…PCA analysis was run in PC-ORD 4.25 (McCune & Mefford, 1999). Leaf litter breakdown rates (per day) were calculated using the exponential decay model M t =M o e -kt where M t is the initial dry mass and M o is the final dry mass (Benfield, 2007). The breakdown rate coefficients (expressed as k) were calculated for each stream as the slope of the line fitting the percent AFDM remaining (log-transformed) versus time (days).…”

Section: Statistical Analysesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Land use effects on leaf litter breakdown in low-order streams draining a rapidly developing tropical watershed in Puerto Rico

Torres

Ramírez

2014

RBT

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Abstract:Land use has an important role influencing stream ecosystem processes, such as leaf litter breakdown. Here, we assessed rates of leaf litter breakdown in low-order tropical streams draining forest, agriculture, and urban land uses in Puerto Rico. To measure leaf breakdown rates, we placed litter bags made of coarse mesh in nine streams, three for each land use type. At each stream, we measured changes in leaf mass over time, leaf breakdown rates, macroinvertebrate assemblages, and stream physicochemistry. Streams differed in their water physicochemistry, with urban streams showing high values for most variables. Stream physical habitat was evaluated using a visual assessment protocol, which indicated that agricultural and urban streams were more degraded than forested streams. Leaf breakdown rates were fast in all streams (k values ranging 0.006-0.024). Breakdown rates were significantly related to the physical conditions of the stream channel (e.g., visual protocol scores), with fastest rates in forested streams. Invertebrates colonizing leaves were mainly mayflies (Leptophlebiidae, Baetidae, and Caenidae), dipterans (Chironomidae), caddisflies (Polycentropodidae), and beetles (Elmidae and Gyrinidae). Our streams lacked large decapod populations, contrasting with other Puerto Rican streams. We found little evidence for an insect effect on leaf breakdown. Results suggest that land use is an important factor affecting leaf litter processing in streams. In contrast to studies in temperate regions, we found little evidence for a positive nutrient related effect of agricultural land use on decomposition rates. Changes in the physical characteristics of streams appear to be the main drivers behind observed decomposition patterns. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (Suppl. 2): 129-142. Epub 2014 April 01.

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“…As the first signs of softening of the insurance cycle emerge, sidecars begin to retreat, their shares repurchased, their loans paid back or the entire company wound up. 67 In this respect, sidecars have acted, according to Moody's, as ''rapid response'' reinsurance. 68 However, it should be noted that the robustness of sidecars was not tested against the occurrence of the events that created them, that is, severe windstorms or other catastrophes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bermuda Sidecars: Supervising Reinsurance Companies in Innovative Global Markets

Ramella

Madeiros

2007

Geneva Pap Risk Insur Issues Pract

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The paper looks at the phenomenon of reinsurance sidecars, as an example of innovation in cross-sectoral risk transfer between the insurance and the capital markets. It explores the emergence, unfolding and retreat of sidecars in Bermuda with the goal of identifying and establishing key issues shaping how supervisors make sense and act upon innovative industry practices. The paper describes key market and industry features setting the scene for the emergence of sidecars, reviews the literature on sidecars, discusses supervisory challenges sidecars present and explores avenues for addressing these challenges. The paper argues that sidecars offer a fertile ground for better understanding the relationship between industry and supervisors in a context of innovation taking place in a rapidly changing landscape, populated by global players.

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Decomposition of Leaf Material

Cited by 101 publications

References 21 publications

Rapid in-stream decomposition of leaves of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), an invasive tree species

Rapid in-stream decomposition of leaves of common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), an invasive tree species

Land use effects on leaf litter breakdown in low-order streams draining a rapidly developing tropical watershed in Puerto Rico

Bermuda Sidecars: Supervising Reinsurance Companies in Innovative Global Markets

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