Date of Award
5-1979
Culminating Project Type
Thesis
Department
Biology
College
College of Science and Engineering
First Advisor
Ralph Gundersen
Second Advisor
Alfred Hopwood
Third Advisor
Mohammed Bahauddin
Keywords and Subject Headings
leaf processing rates, invertebrate, functional groups, stream order
Abstract
Processing rates for aspen (Populus trtremuloides) and red pine (Pinus resinosa) leaves were measured in first through fourth order streams in 1977. The purpose was to investigate the relationship between leaf processing rates and stream order designations.
Artificial leaf packs weighing 10 g were used to measure weight loss during two eight week periods; one during June and July the other during during October and November. Processing rates between stream orders were not significantly different (P>.05) except for aspen leaves during the summer. Processing rates of aspen and red pine leaves were significantly more rapid (P<.05) in the summer than in the fal1. Average processing coefficients for all stream orders combined were: aspen - 0.0212 in the summer and 0.0082 in the fall; red pine - 0.0026 in the summer and 0.0008 in the fall.
The invertebrates associated with the leaf pucks were evaluated on a functional group basis. Collectors and filter feeders were the dominant functional groups at all stream orders on all dates. During both seasons shredders generally decreased with increasing stream order. In the summer, the ratio of shredders to collectors decreased with increasing stream order. In the fall the ratio was highest in first and third order streams; lowest in second order streams.
Key Words: Decomposition; detritus processing, leaf litter, stream order, Populus, Pinus, shredder, collector.
Recommended Citation
Williams, Steven Norman, "The Relationship of Leaf Processing Rates and Invertebrate Functional Groups to Stream Order in Northeastern Minnesota" (1979). Culminating Projects in Biology. 78.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/biol_etds/78
