Leaf growth,senescence and decomposition of Juncus maritimus Lam. in a coastal Mediterranean marsh |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 2214, 71003, Heraklion, Crete, Greece;2. Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, G. Lambraki 21 & Distomou, 18533 Piraeus, Greece;1. University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, 17101 Point Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801, USA;2. Kodiak Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 301 Research Court, Kodiak, AK 99615, USA;1. Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 6, UMR 7093, LOV, Observatoire Océanologique, F-06230 Villefranche/Mer, France;2. CNRS, UMR 7093, LOV, Observatoire Océanologique, F-06230 Villefranche/Mer, France;1. Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, PR China;2. School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South St, Murdoch, West Australia 6150, Australia;3. Outback Ecology, Jolimont, Australia;4. BGM Management Company Pty Ltd, Australia;1. Clemson University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC 29631, USA;2. Voyageurs National Park, 3131 Highway 53 South, International Falls, MN 56649, USA;3. US Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, 2500 South Pine Knoll Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86001, USA;4. Clemson University, Department of Applied Economics and Statistics, 243 Barr Hall, Clemson, SC 29687, USA |
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| Abstract: | In this study, the growth, senescence, leaf loss and nutrient dynamics of Juncus maritimus were followed to examine litter decay in a Mediterranean coastal marsh. Decomposition was studied in dead leaves still attached to the plant and in leaves placed in litterbags (detached leaves/litter) on the sediment surface. The dynamics of fungi, meiofauna and epiphytes associated with detached litter were also followed. No significant differences were observed between decay rates in dead leaves attached to plants (0.0017 day−1) and detached leaves (0.0015 day−1) in litter bags. The percentage of ash-free dry weight lost was inversely proportional to the C:N and C:P ratios in plant detritus during decay, indicating N and P limitation for the decomposer community inhabiting decaying J. maritimus litter and uptake of these nutrients from the environment. Water availability and high temperatures on the sediment surface increased the density of meiofauna and epiphyton and decreased fungal biomass during the first 20 days of the experiment. The density of ciliates and nematodes in decomposing litter was inversely related to the C:N ratio and directly related to the percentage of AFDW lost. On the basis of these observations, it was concluded that meiofauna are primary colonizers of J. maritimus leaf litter. |
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