Annual secondary production of fungal and bacterial decomposers associated with standing and benthic litter of the freshwater emergent macrophyte, <i>typha angustifolia </i>

<p>Fungi and bacteria are significant decomposers of plants within wetlands, but annual secondary production investigations are lacking. Microbial carbon assimilation into biomass and CO₂ mineralization may contribute considerably to wetland biogeochemical cycling and energy flow. Naturally-occurring <em>Typha angustifolia</em> detritus was collected to determine annual areal carbon flow through secondary decomposers. Two decay phases, standing-dead and benthic litter, were analyzed concurrently to determine fungal (¹⁴C-acetate incorporation) and bacterial (³H-leucine incorporation) production estimates. Gradual collapse of the 2004 cohort standing-dead stocks resulted in lowest litter biomass at study's end while benthic detrital stocks displayed little biomass fluctuation. This study indicates significantly higher fungal production rates within standing litter compared to bacteria. A noteworthy increase in areal production and CO₂ mineralization occurred in benthic litter-associated fungi and bacteria. These results provide evidence indicating considerable annual carbon flow from emergent litter to heterotrophic decomposers within both decay phases. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

2008

Author dc:creator

• Ohsowski, Brian Matthew

Contributors dc:contributor

• Steven N. Francoeur, PhD, Chair
• Kevin A. Kuehn, PhD
• Gary L. Hannan, PhD

• Plant litter Biodegradation
• Typha
• Wetland ecology
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/200

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1199