Premium
Fungal and Bacterial Colonization of Submerged Leaf Litter in a Mediterranean Stream
Author(s) -
Artigas Joan,
Gaudes Ainhoa,
Munoz Isabel,
Romani Anna M.,
Sabater Sergi
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international review of hydrobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 1434-2944
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.201111355
Subject(s) - plant litter , colonization , biomass (ecology) , mediterranean climate , heterotroph , litter , biology , botany , organic matter , dissolved organic carbon , microorganism , ecology , nutrient , bacteria , genetics
Microbial colonization dynamics of fungi and bacteria were analyzed in an intermittent Mediterranean forested stream using two different leaf substrata ( Platanus acerifolia and Populus nigra ). Results showed that fungal and bacterial biomass accumulation was stimulated on both leaves due to a flooding episode that increased dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and dissolved oxygen (DO) availability in the stream water. Leaf mass loss coincided with the parallel increase in microbial biomass and extracellular enzymatic activities after the flood event. Differences in litter quality favoured bacterial biomass accumulation and β‐glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase enzymatic activities in the soft Populus species. Microbial heterotrophs colonization of submerged leaf litter and organic matter use in Mediterranean‐type streams are modulated by environmental conditions, especially the hydrological variability. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)