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- Title
Slow initial decomposition and fungal colonization of pine branches in a nutrient-rich lowland stream.
- Authors
Spänhoff, Bernd; Gessner, Mark O.
- Abstract
Mass loss, fungal colonization, and chemical changes of submerged pine (Pinus sylvestris) branches were monitored in a nutrient-rich lowland stream. Branches retrieved from the stream were analyzed for water-soluble substances to assess mass loss by leaching. Concentrations of substances soluble in hot 1% NaOH were determined in order to detect changes in wood-tissue structure indicating microbial degradative activity, and fungal colonization was estimated as ergosterol concentration. Decomposition of the pine branches was slow, with a mean mass loss of 8.3% within 13 months and an overall decay coefficient, k, of 0.074·year–1. Concentrations of water-soluble substances in wood decreased from 2.8% to 1.7% after 5 weeks and in bark from 5.6% to 3.8% within 2 weeks. No further losses were noted, nor were significant changes observed in concentrations of substances soluble in hot dilute NaOH. Fungal biomass in bark increased within the first 5 weeks (14–69 µg ergosterol·g–1 dry mass) but was invariably low in wood. These results indicate that decomposition of intact fully corticated pine branchwood in streams proceeds very slowly, with little fungal colonization and no notable changes in wood structure occurring after more than a year even when dissolved nutrients in stream water are readily available.
- Subjects
COLONIZATION (Ecology); FUNGAL colonies; SCOTS pine; WOOD-decaying fungi; BIODEGRADATION; PINE
- Publication
Canadian Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, 2004, Vol 61, Issue 10, p2007
- ISSN
0706-652X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1139/F04-145