Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by FCT, within the POCH – Human Capital Operating Program, to SS (Fellowship Reference SFRH/BD/119133/2016), co-funded by the European Social Fund and MCTES national funds, is gratefully acknowledged. Also financed by a) Project UID/BIA/04004/2013 co-funded by FCT/MEC through national funds and by FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, and COMPETE 2020; and b) Project ReNATURE—Valorization of the Natural Endogenous Resources of the Centro Region (Centro 2020, Centro-01-0145-FEDER-000007), which also supported AM (fellowship reference ReNATURE – BPD11_2). NC was supported by the PhD Grant SFRH/BD/133352/2017 and JA by the post doc Grant SFRH/BPD/123087/2016.
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Design of the experiment was done by ALG, THJ, JPS, CC. Field procedures were carried out by SS, NC, JA, AAS. Laboratory procedures were carried out by SS, ALG. Data treatment was done by SS, AM. Writing the original draft was done by SS, AM, CC. Review of the draft was done by SS, AM, ALG, NC, JA, AAS, THJ, JPS, CC.
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Simões, S., Martínez, A., Gonçalves, A.L. et al. Annual patterns of litter decomposition in the channel and riparian areas of an intermittent stream. Aquat Ecol 55, 519–526 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-021-09841-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-021-09841-w