Intermittent streams, dominant in arid and semi-arid regions, are considered to be more representative of global river networks than perennial rivers. The impacts of constant changes in hydrological regime on the functioning of these streams and associated riparian areas does, however, remain to be elucidated. In this study, litter derived from two deciduous tree species (chestnut and oak) was used to compare microbial–decomposition patterns between an intermittent stream channel and its riparian area over a 1-year period. The stream channel exhibited higher decomposition rates than the riparian area for litter from both species, and higher fungal biomass only for chestnut. Despite a prolonged absence of streambed surface water (254 days), differences in hydrological conditions in the wetter seasons (autumn and winter) shape the decomposition dynamics in both zones throughout the whole hydrological cycle. The results point out the importance of the “hydrological imprint” for the leaves’ degradation; long-term studies are advisable over short-term ones to better understand the functioning of intermittent streams.

在干旱和半干旱地区占主导地位的间歇性河流被认为比常年河流更能代表全球河流网络。但是，仍然需要阐明水文状况不断变化对这些河流和相关河岸地区的功能所产生的影响。在这项研究中，使用了来自两种落叶树种（栗木和橡树）的凋落物，用于比较间歇性河道及其河岸区域在1年时间内的微生物分解模式。对于两个物种的凋落物，河道的分解速率均高于河岸区，而对于板栗，其分解通道的真菌生物量更高。尽管长时间没有流化的地表水（254天），较湿季节（秋季和冬季）的水文条件差异决定了整个水文循环中两个区域的分解动力学。结果表明“水文印记”对叶片的降解很重要。建议长期研究而不是短期研究，以更好地了解间歇流的功能。