EUCALYPT LEAF DECOMPOSITION IN AN INTERMITTENT-STREAM IN SOUTH-EASTERN AUSTRALIA

Eucalypt leaf packs were placed at two sites in an intermittent stream during summer to examine the hypothesis that terrestrially-exposed leaf litter accumulates a richer microbial flora than submerged leaves-a phenomenon observed in Canadian temporary vernal pools. This did not occur; during the experiment, microbial biomass (as ATP) rose steadily on submerged leaves but remained low on terrestrially-exposed leaves. Densities of most functional feeding groups on the submerged leaves increased with time. Scrapers appeared to be more important than shredders in eucalypt leaf breakdown at both sites.