Effects of forest disturbance on leaf breakdown in southern Appalachian streams. Benfield, E. Verhandlungen Internationale Vereinlgung fur Theoretische und Angewandte Linmonogie, 1991.
Effects of forest disturbance on leaf breakdown in southern Appalachian streams. [pdf]Paper  abstract   bibtex   
Breakdown rates of four species of forest leaves were measured in streams at Coweeta draining logged and mature forested watersheds. Leaves were selected to range from those that breakdown rapidly (dogwood) to those that are resistant (rhododendron). Breakdown rates fit an exponential model of time and were generally faster in streams draining disturbed areas. Differences may be due to greater movement and abrasive action or to higher biological activity in the steams draining logged areas.

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