Litter Breakdown And Benthic Invertebrate Detritivores From A Hydrologically Restored Stream

<p>The breakdown of coarse forms of detritus into finer forms is an ecosystem function of forested headwater streams. Many factors influence the rate of litter decay, but there is a lack of research on how stream restorations, that aim to restore hydrologic functions, influence litter breakdown. This study compared litter processing rates and macroinvertebrate detritivore assemblages between a hydrologically restored stream (Slabcamp Creek) and an un-restored control stream (White Pine Branch) in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan Co., KY. Red maple (Acer rubrum) leaves were placed in mesh bags and deployed in riffles and pools at the restored and control sites on December 15, 2017. Four litter bags were retrieved from each habitat in streams on five separate occasions. The last set of bags was retrieved on April 7, 2018 after 113 days in the streams. The rate of breakdown from pools of the restored stream was faster (k = 0.0284 d-1) than the rate from the un-restored stream (k = 0.0130 d-1), and analysis indicated a significant difference in rates from pools between streams (p = 0.0021). High variation in restored site physical habitat may have affected litter breakdown. Further, most macroinvertebrate group metrics did not show significant differences between sites in abundance or biomass likely due to large variation from the restored site. However, shredder biomass was greater in restored pools due to a few large Pycnopsyche individuals, and collector-filterers had significantly greater abundance in the restored stream. Findings from this study provide baseline decomposition rates from a hydrologically restored stream and enhance our understanding of ecosystem functions from restored ecosystems. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2021

Author dc:creator

• Becraft, Jacob

• CPOM breakdown
• ecosystem functioning
• headwater stream
• hydrologic restoration
• red maple
• shredders
• Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Jacob Becraft

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/686

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1684