Effects of leaf nutrient concentration and resorption on leaf falling time of dominant broadleaved species in a montane region of eastern Liaoning Province,China

凋落物是森林生态系统养分的重要来源, 叶片脱落时间是影响其分解的关键因素。东北温带森林中蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)落叶时间较其他树种晚, 在山脊等贫瘠立地叶片甚至第二年春天才脱落。我们假设: 相对于其他树种, 蒙古栎叶片养分元素含量过高、再吸收时间长, 导致叶片延迟脱落。为验证假设, 除蒙古栎外, 选择了落叶时间居中的色木槭(Acer mono)和落叶较早的胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica)为对象, 持续监测叶片从成熟至凋落过程中叶片养分元素含量, 包括大量元素: 氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)、钙(Ca)和镁(Mg), 微量元素: 铁(Fe)、铜(Cu)、锰(Mn)和锌(Zn); 并分析养分再吸收率。结果表明: 蒙古栎成熟叶养分元素含量介于对照树种之间; 凋落叶N、P和K含量低于对照树种, Fe和Mn含量高于对照树种, 其余元素含量介于对照树种之间。该结果不支持“蒙古栎叶片养分含量过高”假设。蒙古栎叶片N、P和K再吸收率高于对照树种, 再吸收率高低与其落叶时间完全一致; 叶片Cu和Zn再吸收率与对照树种无显著差异; 叶片其余元素未发生再吸收, 其累积率与对照树种无显著差异; 说明养分再吸收与养分含量无关, 可能与树种的种专一性相关, 可能会影响叶片脱落时间。由于蒙古栎多生长在贫瘠土壤, 其成熟叶无法积累更多养分; 为避免叶片脱落后养分进入土壤被其他物种利用, 将养分尽量回收储存于自身, 即蒙古栎叶片养分再吸收过程较长, 叶片脱落较晚。生长在极端贫瘠立地的蒙古栎叶片次年春天才落叶, 可能是由于再吸收一直在进行, 来不及脱落而保留至新生长季开始。落叶晚的树种养分再吸收率高、有利于自身养分保存, 更能适应贫瘠土壤, 反之亦然。     

辽东山区主要阔叶树种叶片养分含量和再吸收对落叶时间的影响

凋落物是森林生态系统养分的重要来源, 叶片脱落时间是影响其分解的关键因素。东北温带森林中蒙古栎(Quercus mongolica)落叶时间较其他树种晚, 在山脊等贫瘠立地叶片甚至第二年春天才脱落。我们假设: 相对于其他树种, 蒙古栎叶片养分元素含量过高、再吸收时间长, 导致叶片延迟脱落。为验证假设, 除蒙古栎外, 选择了落叶时间居中的色木槭(Acer mono)和落叶较早的胡桃楸(Juglans mandshurica)为对象, 持续监测叶片从成熟至凋落过程中叶片养分元素含量, 包括大量元素: 氮(N)、磷(P)、钾(K)、钙(Ca)和镁(Mg), 微量元素: 铁(Fe)、铜(Cu)、锰(Mn)和锌(Zn); 并分析养分再吸收率。结果表明: 蒙古栎成熟叶养分元素含量介于对照树种之间; 凋落叶N、P和K含量低于对照树种, Fe和Mn含量高于对照树种, 其余元素含量介于对照树种之间。该结果不支持“蒙古栎叶片养分含量过高”假设。蒙古栎叶片N、P和K再吸收率高于对照树种, 再吸收率高低与其落叶时间完全一致; 叶片Cu和Zn再吸收率与对照树种无显著差异; 叶片其余元素未发生再吸收, 其累积率与对照树种无显著差异; 说明养分再吸收与养分含量无关, 可能与树种的种专一性相关, 可能会影响叶片脱落时间。由于蒙古栎多生长在贫瘠土壤, 其成熟叶无法积累更多养分; 为避免叶片脱落后养分进入土壤被其他物种利用, 将养分尽量回收储存于自身, 即蒙古栎叶片养分再吸收过程较长, 叶片脱落较晚。生长在极端贫瘠立地的蒙古栎叶片次年春天才落叶, 可能是由于再吸收一直在进行, 来不及脱落而保留至新生长季开始。落叶晚的树种养分再吸收率高、有利于自身养分保存, 更能适应贫瘠土壤, 反之亦然。     

Growth of an invertebrate shredder on native (Populus) and non-native (Tamarix, Elaeagnus) leaf litter

1. Large-scale invasions of riparian trees can alter the quantity and quality of allochthonous inputs of leaf litter to streams and thus have the potential to alter stream organic matter dynamics. Non-native saltcedar ( Tamarix sp.) and Russian olive ( Elaeagnus angustifolia ) are now among the most common trees in riparian zones in western North America, yet their impacts on energy flow in streams are virtually unknown.
2. We conducted a laboratory feeding experiment to compare the growth of the aquatic crane fly Tipula (Diptera: Tipulidae) on leaf litter from native cottonwood ( Populus ) and non-native Tamarix and Elaeagnus . Tipula showed positive growth on leaf litter of all three species; however, after 7 weeks, larvae fed Tamarix leaves averaged 1.7 and 2.5 times the mass of those fed Elaeagnus and Populus , respectively. Tipula survival was highest on Populus , intermediate on Tamarix and lowest on Elaeagnus .
3. High Tipula growth on Tamarix probably reflects a combination of leaf chemistry and morphology. Conditioned Tamarix leaf litter had intermediate carbon : nitrogen values (33 : 1) compared to Populus (40 : 1) and Elaeagnus (26 : 1), and it had intermediate proportions of structural carbon (42%) compared to Elaeagnus (57%) and Populus (35%). Tamarix leaves are also relatively small and possibly more easily ingested by Tipula than either Elaeagnus or Populus .
4. Field surveys of streams in the western U.S.A. revealed that Tamarix and Elaeagnus leaf packs were rare compared to native Populus , probably due to the elongate shape and small size of the non-native leaves. Thus we conclude that, in general, the impact of non-native riparian invasion on aquatic shredders will depend not only on leaf decomposition rate and palatability but also on rates of leaf litter input to the stream coupled with streambed retention and subsequent availability to consumers.     

Diversity and altitudinal distribution of Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) in Peregrina Canyon,Tamaulipas, Mexico

The Chrysomelidae (Coleoptera) is a highly speciose family that has been poorly studied at the regional level in Mexico. In the present study, we estimated species richness and diversity in oak-pine forest, Tamaulipan thorny scrub and in tropical deciduous forests in Peregrina Canyon within the Altas Cumbres Protected Area of the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Sampling of Chrysomelidae consisted of five sweep net samples (200 net sweeps) within each of three sites during four sample periods: early dry season, late dry season, early wet season, and late wet season. Species were identified and total numbers per species were recorded for each sample. A total of 2,226 specimens were collected belonging to six subfamilies, 81 genera and 157 species of Chrysomelidae from the study area. Galerucinae was the most abundant subfamily with 1,828 specimens, representing 82.1% of total abundance in the study area. Lower abundance was recorded in Cassidinae (8.5%), Eumolpinae (3.6%), Cryptocephalinae (2.2%), Chrysomelinae (2.2%), and finally Criocerinae (1.3%). The highest species richness was also presented in the subfamily Galerucinae with 49% of the total obtained species followed by Cassidinae (20%), Cryptocephalinae (9.7%), Eumolpinae (9.7%), Chrysomelinae (6.5%) and Criocerinae (5.2%). The most common species were Centralaphthona fulvipennis Jacoby (412 individuals), Centralaphthona diversa (Baly) (248), Margaridisa sp.1 (219), Acallepitrix sp.1 (134), Longitarsus sp.1 (104), Heterispa vinula (Erichson) (91), Epitrix sp.1 (84) and Chaetocnema sp.1 (72). Twenty-two species were doubletons (1.97% of total abundance) and 52 were singletons (2.33%). The estimated overall density value obtained was 0.0037 individuals/m2. The greatest abundance and density of individuals were recorded at the lowest elevation site. However, alpha diversity increased with increasing altitude. Similarity values were less than 50% among the three sites indicating that each site had distinct species assemblages of Chrysomelidae. The highest abundance was obtained during the late dry season, whereas diversity indices were highest during the early wet season. The present work represents the first report of the altitudinal variation in richness, abundance, and diversity of Chrysomelidae in Mexico. These results highlight the importance of conservation of this heterogeneous habitat and establish baseline data for Chrysomelidae richness and diversity for the region.     

Relationship between maximum leaf photosynthesis,nitrogen content and specific leaf area in balearic endemic and non-endemic mediterranean species

Gas exchange parameters, leaf nitrogen content and specific leaf area (SLA) were measured in situ on 73 C3 and five C4 plant species in Mallorca, west Mediterranean, to test whether species endemic to the Balearic Islands differed from widespread, non-endemic Mediterranean species and crops in their leaf traits and trait inter-relationships. Endemic species differed significantly from widespread species and crops in several parameters; in particular, photosynthetic capacity, on an area basis (A), was 20 % less in endemics than in non-endemics. Similar differences between endemics and non-endemics were found in parameters such as SLA and leaf nitrogen content per area (Na). Nevertheless, most of the observed differences were found only within the herbaceous deciduous species. These could be due to the fact that most of the non-endemic species within this group have adapted to ruderal areas, while none of the endemics occupies this kind of habitat. All the species-including the crops-showed a positive, highly significant correlation between photosynthetic capacity on a mass basis (Am), leaf nitrogen content on a mass basis (Nm) and SLA. However, endemic species had a lower Am for any given SLA and Nm. Hypotheses are presented to explain these differences, and their possible role in reducing the distribution of many endemic Balearic species is discussed.     

Leaf litter breakdown, microbial respiration and shredder production in metal-polluted streams

1. If species disproportionately influence ecosystem functioning and also differ in their sensitivities to environmental conditions, the selective removal of species by anthropogenic stressors may lead to strong effects on ecosystem processes. We evaluated whether these circumstances held for several Colorado, U.S.A. streams stressed by Zn. 2. Benthic invertebrates and chemistry were sampled in five second–third order streams for 1 year. Study streams differed in dissolved metal concentrations, but were otherwise similar in chemical and physical characteristics. Secondary production of leaf‐shredding insects was estimated using the increment summation and size‐frequency methods. Leaf litter breakdown rates were estimated by retrieving litter‐bags over a 171 day period. Microbial activity on leaf litter was measured in the laboratory using changes in oxygen concentration over a 48 h incubation period. 3. Dissolved Zn concentrations varied eightfold among two reference and three polluted streams. Total secondary production of shredders was negatively associated with metal contamination. Secondary production in reference streams was dominated by Taenionema pallidum. Results of previous studies and the current investigation demonstrate that this shredder is highly sensitive to metals in Colorado headwater streams. Leaf litter breakdown rates were similar between reference streams and declined significantly in the polluted streams. Microbial respiration at the most contaminated site was significantly lower than at reference sites. 4. Our results supported the hypothesis that some shredder species contribute disproportionately to leaf litter breakdown. Furthermore, the functionally dominant taxon was also the most sensitive to metal contamination. We conclude that leaf litter breakdown in our study streams lacked functional redundancy and was therefore highly sensitive to contaminant‐induced alterations in community structure. We argue for the necessity of simultaneously measuring community structure and ecosystem function in anthropogenically stressed ecosystems.     

散孔材与环孔材树种枝干、叶水力学特性的比较研究

为揭示散孔材与环孔材树种树木水分生理特性的差异,选取了常见的3种散孔材落叶树种(毛白杨、法国梧桐和樱花)和3种环孔材落叶树种(刺槐、合欢和白蜡),研究了其枝干与叶水力学性质的差异及其协调性。结果表明:3种环孔材树种枝干横截面积基础上的最大比导水率(Ks-max)大于3种散孔材树种,但其木质部对空穴化的脆弱性(P50branch)高于散孔材树种,6种树木枝干的水分传输能力和抵抗空穴化能力之间存在一种相互制约的权衡关系。3种散孔材与3种环孔材树种的叶最大水力导度(Kl-max)和水力脆弱性(P50leaf)并无显著差异;对于3种散孔材树种,叶的水力脆弱性要高于枝干,但对3种环孔材树种而言,枝干的水力脆弱性要高于叶。6种树木枝干和叶的水力学性质(Kmax、P50)之间并无相关关系。这些结果表明:散孔材与环孔材树种的枝干水力学特性有明显差异,但叶水力学特性无差异;枝干与叶水力学性质之间是相互独立的。     

Removal of invasive shrubs alters light but not leaf litter inputs in a deciduous forest understory

The establishment and spread of non‐native, invasive shrubs in forests poses an important obstacle to natural resource conservation and management. This study assesses the impacts of the physical removal of a complex of woody invasive shrub species on deciduous forest understory resources. We compared leaf litter quantity and quality and understory light transmittance in five pairs of invaded and removal plots in an oak‐dominated suburban mature forest. Removal plots were cleared of all non‐native invasive shrubs. The invasive shrubs were abundant (143,456 stems/ha) and diverse, dominated by species in the genera Ligustrum, Viburnum, Lonicera, and Euonymus. Annual leaf litter biomass and carbon inputs of invaded plots were not different from removal plots due to low leaf litter biomass of invasive shrubs. Invasive shrub litter had higher nitrogen (N) concentrations than native species; however, low biomass of invasive litter led to low N inputs by litter of invasive species compared to native. Light transmittance at the forest floor and at 2 m was lower in invaded plots than in removal plots. We conclude that the removal of the abundant invasive shrubs from a native deciduous forest understory did not alter litter quantity or N inputs, one measure of litter quality, and increased forest understory light availability. More light in the forest understory could facilitate the restoration of forest understory dynamics.     

Review of the West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyné (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae, Galerucinae,Alticini) with description of five new species

The West Indian genus Monotalla Bechyné is reviewed, redescribed and illustrated. Five new species are added: Monotalla dominica sp. n. (Dominica); Monotalla lecticofolia sp. n. (St. Lucia); Monotalla maierae sp. n. (St. Lucia); Monotalla obrienorum sp. n. (Grenada); and Monotalla viridis sp. n. (St. Lucia). A key to Monotalla species is provided.     

海南岛热带山地雨林演替后期幼树的叶片特征

植物的生理生态特征决定了植物在生态系统中的分布模式和物种的丰度。本文在开展样地调查的基础上,应用Li-6400光合测定系统研究了海南岛热带山地雨林原始林3个层次的6个优势种与9个伴生种幼树的光合作用参数,并测定了相应叶片的比叶面积（SLA）和氮、磷含量。15个种的SLA为38.2~143.7 cm²·g^-1、单位面积最大光合速率（A_-area）为2.77~7.61 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、单位干重最大光合速率（A_-mass）为21.2~83.4 μmol·kg^-1·s^-1,单位面积暗呼吸速率（R_d-area）为0.02~1.15 μmol·m^-2·s^-1、单位干重暗呼吸速率（R_d-mass）为0.19~12.61 μmol·kg^-1·s^-1,光补偿点（LCP）为2.5~32.2 μmol·m^-2·s^-1,表观量子效率（Ф）为0.006 6~0.042 8 μmol·μmol^-1 photon,叶片氮（LN）含量为7.98~23.63 mg·g^-1,叶片磷（LP）含量为3.98~13.40 mg·g^-1。中上层种的幼树具有较高的比叶面积、单位干重最大光合速率和表观量子效率;上层种的暗呼吸速率最低;幼树叶片的氮、磷含量随物种成树所在层次升高而减少,次序为下层种>中层种>上层种,但差异均不显著（P>0.05）。优势种和伴生种的光响应参数与SLA存在相关关系。伴生种的LN与SLA正相关（P<0.01）,LP与SLA负相关（P<0.05）;优势种的LN、LP与SLA不相关（P>0.05）。     

人工油松林中不同植物叶片非结构性碳水化合物含量对氮添加的响应

全球氮沉降通过影响树木叶片的生理过程影响森林生态系统的结构与组成,但目前关于氮沉降对森林生态系统中不同植物叶片非结构性碳水化合物(NSC)含量的影响还不十分清楚.本研究选取黄土丘陵区人工油松林中油松、辽东栎、忍冬、绣线菊、黄刺玫、茜草、披针苔草7种主要高等植物,比较了3年氮添加(0、3、6、9 g N·m^-2·a^-1,分别用N₀、N₃、N₆、N₉表示)对7种植物叶片中NSC的影响.结果表明: 不同植物叶片可溶性糖、淀粉含量变异很大,二者变异最高的均为黄刺玫,最低的分别为绣线菊和披针苔草;不同植物可溶性糖、淀粉对氮添加的响应存在明显差异.N₆处理下茜草的可溶性糖和淀粉的变异高于其他物种,N₃和N₉处理下绣线菊的变异高于其他物种,可溶性糖和淀粉含量变异最小的物种在不同氮添加水平下不同.随着氮添加水平的增加,油松和披针苔草的可溶性糖含量持续升高,绣线菊持续降低,辽东栎、忍冬和黄刺玫的可溶性糖含量先降低后增加,在N₆处理达到最小,而茜草的可溶性糖含量呈现较复杂的变化趋势.氮添加对植物叶片中淀粉含量的影响表现为油松、忍冬和披针苔草的淀粉含量持续增加,绣线菊先降低后增加,在N₃处理达到最小,而黄刺玫和茜草则呈现较复杂的变化趋势,辽东栎淀粉含量变化趋势平缓.在氮添加后,土壤pH、有机碳、全氮、全磷与植物叶片NSC含量无相关关系,仅N₀和N₃水平下上述土壤理化指标会显著影响可溶性糖/淀粉.表明林地不同植物叶片中NSC含量对氮添加的响应明显不同,研究全球氮沉降或氮添加对林地生态系统的影响需要考虑不同植物,尤其不同生活型植物的不同响应.     

Effects of chemical composition on N,Ca, and Mg release during incubation of leaves from selected agroforestry and fallow plant species

Nitrogen, Ca and Mg release from leaves of ten selected plant residues with varying chemical compositions was studied under laboratory conditions. Three patterns of N-release were observed over a seven week incubation period: (a)Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Mucuna pruriens andCentrosema pubescens leaves showed rapid N release, (b)Acioa barteri andDialium guineense leaves immobilized N, and (c)Alchornea cordifolia, Anthonata macrophylla, Cassia siamea andPterocarpus santalinoides leaves initially showed N immobilization which gradually changes to net mineralization after about four weeks of incubation. Nitrogen mineralization rate constant (k) ranged from –0.0018 (A. barteri) to 0.0064 day^–1 (G. sepium). Statistical analysis of data showed that N mineralization rate constants are significantly correlated with initial N, polyphenol and lignin contents of leaves. Nitrogen release increased with increasing N content and decreased with increasing contents of polyphenols and lignin.Addition of leaves from all species significantly increased soil exchangeable Ca and Mg levels.L. leucocephala, G. sepium, C. pubescens andM. pruriens showed relatively high Ca and Mg release rates. Calcium release rate was related to N release rate rather than to initial Ca content.     

海拔对青海湖流域群落水平植物功能性状的影响

海拔变化会引起气压、温度、降水、土壤湿度和风速等环境因子发生急剧变化, 植物功能性状-海拔的相互关系对于预测全球变化背景下山地植物的适应方式具有重要意义。该研究在青海湖流域海拔3 400-4 200 m范围内布设了5个样地(海拔间隔约200 m), 通过植物群落调查, 测定植物功能性状和土壤理化性质, 结合气象数据, 探讨了海拔对青海湖流域群落水平植物功能性状的影响。结果如下: (1)群落加权平均植株高度(H)、叶片干物质含量(LDMC)、叶片碳氮比(C:N)和叶片氮磷比(N:P)随海拔升高显著降低, 比根表面积(SRA)随海拔升高波动下降, 比叶面积(SLA)、叶片氮含量(LNC)和叶片磷含量(LPC)随海拔升高显著升高, 叶片碳含量(LCC)、比根长(SRL)和根组织密度(RTD)随海拔未发生显著变化。(2)所有性状的变异来源以物种组成变化为主, N:P和LPC的种内性状变异与物种组成变化呈现正的协变效应, 其余性状为负的协变效应。(3)降水和0- 10 cm土层土壤养分含量对SLA变化的解释率较高, 温度和10-20 cm土层土壤养分含量对其余性状随海拔变化的解释率较高。以上结果表明青海湖流域植物群落主要通过物种更替来适应随海拔升高而剧烈变化的环境, 且各群落中的非优势种倾向于占据与优势种相反的性状空间来提高资源利用率, 随海拔变化的热量和深层土壤养分含量是群落水平植物功能性状变化的主要影响因子。     

西双版纳热带季节雨林和哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林优势植物及地表凋落物层的热值

 测定云南西双版纳热带季节雨林和哀牢山中山湿性常绿阔叶林优势种植物叶片及地表凋落物层的干重热值,分析并比较了两地群落类型热值的差异及其与地理条件的关系。植物叶片分为鲜叶和凋落叶,地表凋落物层分为新鲜凋落物层（L层）和腐叶层（F层）进行取样测量,所有样品在60℃烘干至恒重,样品热值采用Parr1261氧弹式热量计测量。结果表明：西双版纳的11种植物鲜叶和凋落叶干重热值的变化范围分别是14.595 3～19.863 9和14.046 7～19.884 0 kJ·g^－1, L和F层的平均干重热值分别为17.419 6 和14.780 5 kJ·g^－1;哀牢山的10种植物鲜叶和凋落叶干重热值的变化范围分别是17.805 1～21.525 3和17.893 4～21.436 7 kJ·g^－1,L和F层的平均干重热值分别为19.208 4和17.494 7 kJ·g^－1。两地植物鲜叶与凋落叶干重热值的大小顺序近似或一致,即植物鲜 叶干重热值越高,其凋落叶干重热值也越高;植物鲜叶与凋落叶干重热值的差值有正有负, 因物种而异;西双版纳凋落物L与F层之间的热值差值显著地大于哀牢山两层凋落物的热值差值,可能是由西双版纳凋落物的分解速率较快导致的;两地样品的平均干重热值的顺序为：鲜叶＞凋落叶＞L层＞F层;将两地的相应样品对比发现,干重热值呈现为哀牢山＞西双版纳,体现出高海拔＞低海拔、高纬度＞低纬度以及常绿阔叶林＞热带季节雨林的特点。     

Predicting leaf traits of herbaceous species from their spectral characteristics

Trait predictions from leaf spectral properties are mainly applied to tree species, while herbaceous systems received little attention in this topic. Whether similar trait–spectrum relations can be derived for herbaceous plants that differ strongly in growing strategy and environmental constraints is therefore unknown. We used partial least squares regression to relate key traits to leaf spectra (reflectance, transmittance, and absorbance) for 35 herbaceous species, sampled from a wide range of environmental conditions. Specific Leaf Area and nutrient‐related traits (N and P content) were poorly predicted from any spectrum, although N prediction improved when expressed on a per area basis (mg/m² leaf surface) instead of mass basis (mg/g dry matter). Leaf dry matter content was moderately to good correlated with spectra. We explain our results by the range of environmental constraints encountered by herbaceous species; both N and P limitations as well as a range of light and water availabilities occurred. This weakened the relation between the measured response traits and the leaf constituents that are truly responsible for leaf spectral behavior. Indeed, N predictions improve considering solely upper or under canopy species. Therefore, trait predictions in herbaceous systems should focus on traits relating to dry matter content and the true, underlying drivers of spectral properties.     

Seasonal differences in green leaf breakdown and nutrient content of deciduous and evergreen tree species and grass in a granitic headwater stream

Litter processing was examined in autumn–winter and spring–summer in a second order stream in Galicia (NW Spain). We compared decay rate and nutrient dynamics of green leaves of several deciduous (riparian: Alnus glutinosa, Betula alba and Populus×canadensis; terrestrial: Castanea sativa, Quercus robur), and evergreen tree species (terrestrial: Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus nitens), in addition to ray-grass (Lolium perenne). In the autumn–winter period, the decay rates (–k) ranged between 0.0086 degree-days^–1 for poplar, and 0.0019 degree-days^–1 for birch leaves. Alder showed the most rapid breakdown in spring–summer (0.0124 degree-days^–1), and pine the slowest (0.0016 degree-days^–1). Deciduous species exhibited general higher processing rates than evergreen species and ray-grass. The initial nitrogen and phosphorus contents were higher in riparian species leaves and ray-grass, being higher in spring (2.28±0.14% and 0.24±0.04% of nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively) than in autumn (1.88±0.36% of nitrogen and 0.18±0.03% of phosphorus). A significant correlation coefficient was found only between mean nitrogen leaf packs contents during incubation and decay rates (r=0.61; p=0.012).In deciduous species, processing was faster during the spring–summer than in the autumn–winter period, which may be attributed to the greater nutritional value and less consistency of the leaves during this season. Within evergreen species, pine had a significantly faster processing rate in autumn, attributed in this study to greater physical fragmentation of the needles. Ray-grass and eucalyptus did not exhibit any seasonal differences in processing rate.During the spring–summer period, litterfall inputs are quantitatively less important than during the autumn–winter, but due to high retention and fast breakdown during the spring–summer, green inputs should contribute substantially to nutrient incorporation and cycling in benthic communities.