Date of Graduation
2000
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
Committee Chair
Sue A. Perry
Abstract
We placed leaf packs containing different proportions of sugar maple and red oak leaves into a headwater stream before and after a winter spate to determine the effects of leaf species and flood disturbance on leaf pack processing and macroivertebrate colonization patterns. We also collected natural leaf packs from three streams to examine how leaf pack quality influences macroinvertebrate colonization. Red oak leaves processed faster in association with maple leaves. Invertebrate densities were higher on leaf packs containing more fast-processing leaves. Invertebrate densities peaked 2.5 times higher and 6 weeks earlier on leaf packs placed after the spate Macroinvertebrates were correlated to different leaf pack variables in a stream with a disturbed watershed. Natural leaf packs had lower invertebrate density, biomass, and taxa richness than artificial leaf packs. Leaf pack quality influences leaf pack processing and macroinvertebrate colonization. Experimental single species leaf packs are not accurate models of detrital processing.
Recommended Citation
Golden, Michael Edward, "The influences of multiple leaf species and flood disturbance on leaf pack processing in Appalachian Mountain headwater streams." (2000). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 10487.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/10487