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Effects of the freshwater gastropod Planorbis carinatus on reed ( Phragmites australis ) litter microbial activity in an experimental system
Author(s) -
POLUNIN NICHOLAS V. C.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1982.tb00646.x
Subject(s) - phragmites , freshwater snail , biology , ecology , respiration , litter , plant litter , phototaxis , snail , botany , environmental chemistry , ecosystem , wetland , chemistry
SUMMARY. The freshwater gastropod Planorbis carinatus can enhance the aerobic respiration of micro‐organisms on reed ( Phragmites australis ) litter in laboratory systems. This effect is contributed to by both direct and indirect mechanisms and, at least in the latter case, increased microbial respiration entails accelerated decomposition. Enhanced turnover of dissolved inorganic phosphate in the presence of the snail may play a role in these interactions.