2023 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 5-7, 2023 • Cincinnati, OH
5/25/2021 | 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM | DECOMPOSITION RATES OF LEAF, PALM, AND TURFGRASS DIFFER IN A SUB-TROPICAL URBAN STREAM | Virtual Platform
DECOMPOSITION RATES OF LEAF, PALM, AND TURFGRASS DIFFER IN A SUB-TROPICAL URBAN STREAM
Most headwater streams rely on allochthonous organic matter inputs to supplement energy produced internally from autochthonous sources. Allochthonous organic matter quality influences decomposition rates, subsequently affecting nutrient and food web dynamics within a stream. Land use change can influence the type and relative quality of allochthonous inputs. Lawns are prolific in urban and suburban landscapes, making turfgrass an increasingly common allochthonous organic matter source in urban streams. However, turfgrass decomposition in urban streams is poorly understood. We assessed how organic matter quality, macroinvertebrate presence, and light availability affected decomposition rates in an urban stream. We studied these factors by deploying oak leaves, turfgrass clippings, and palm fronds in either coarse or fine mesh bags at two different sites in an urban stream (one open canopy, one closed canopy). We calculated mass loss and percent organic matter change of these different treatments following a 4 month deployment. Preliminary results indicate that turfgrass, oak leaves, and palm fronds lost 80%, 28%, and 42% of their mass, respectively over 4 months. Understanding how shifts in organic matter affect decomposition rates is essential for furthering our knowledge of urbanization impacts on stream ecosystems.
- Organic matter
- Decomposition
- Anthropogenic litter
Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Connor Morang
(), University of Florida, morangc@ufl.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -