Abstract
To test the hypothesis whether afforestation with Eucalyptus globulus affects litter dynamics in streams and the structure of macroinvertebrate aquatic communities, we compared streams flowing through eucalyptus and deciduous forests, paying attention to: (i) litterfall dynamics, (ii) accumulation of organic matter, (iii) processing rates of two dominant leaf species: eucalyptus and chestnut, and (iv) macroinvertebrate community structure. The amount of allochthonous inputs was similar in both vegetation types, but the seasonality of litter inputs differed between eucalyptus and natural deciduous forests. Eucalyptus forest streams accumulated more organic matter than deciduous forest streams. Decomposition of both eucalyptus and chestnut leaf litter was higher in streams flowing through deciduous forests. The eucalyptus forest soils were highly hydrophobic resulting in strong seasonal fluctuations in discharge. In autumn the communities of benthic macroinvertebrates of the two stream types were significantly different. Deciduous forest streams contained higher numbers of invertebrates and more taxa than eucalyptus forest streams. Mixed forest streams (streams flowing through eucalyptus forests but bordered by deciduous vegetation) were intermediate between the two other vegetation types in all studied characteristics (accumulation of benthic organic matter, density and diversity of aquatic invertebrates). These results suggest that monocultures of eucalyptus affect low order stream communities. However, the impact may be attenuated if riparian corridors of original vegetation are kept in plantation forestry.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, N. H. & J. R. Sedell, 1979. Detritus processing by macroinvertebrates in stream ecosystems. Ann. Rev. Ent. 24: 351–377.
A.P.H.A., I971. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 13th edn. Washington, D.C.
Ashton D. H., 1975. Studies of litter in Eucalyptus regnans forests. Aust. J. Bot. 23: 413–433.
Attiwill, P. M., H. B. Guthrie & R. Leuning, 1978. Nutrient cycling in a Eucalyptus obliqua (L'Hérit.) forest. I. Litter production and nutrient return. Aust. J. Bot. 26: 79–91.
Bärlocher, F., C. Canhoto & M. A. S. Graça, 1995. Fungal colonization of alder and eucalypt leaves in two streams in Central Portugal. Arch. Hydrobiol. 113: 457–470.
Barnes, J. R., J. V. McArthur & C. E. Cushing, 1986. Effect of excluding shredders on leaflitter decomposition in two streams. G. Basin Nat. 46: 204–207.
Bilby, R. E. & G. E. Likens, 1980. Importance of organic debris dams in the structure and function of stream ecosystems. Ecology 61: 1107–1113.
Bird, G. A. & N. K. Kaushik, 1992. Invertebrate colonization and processing of maple leaf litter in a forested and an agricultural reach of a stream. Hydrobiologia 234: 65–77.
Birk, E. M., 1979. Overstorey and understorey litterfall in a eucalypt forest; spatial and temporal variability. Aust. J. Bot. 27: 145–156.
Blackburn, W. M. & P. Petr, 1979. Forest litter decomposition and benthos in a mountain stream in Victoria, Australia. Arch. Hydrobiol 86: 453–498.
Bretschko, G., 1990. The dynamic aspect of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) on the sediment surface free of debris dams (Ritrodat-Lunz study area). Hydrobiologia 203: 15–28.
Bunn, S. E., 1986. Origin and fate of organic matter in Australian upland streams. In: De Dekker, P. & W. D. Williams (eds), Limnol. Austr.: 277–291. C.S.I.R.O.
Bunn, S., D. H. Edward & N. R. Loneragan, 1986. Spatial and temporal variation in the macroinvertebrate fauna of streams of the northern jarrah forest, Western Australia: community structure. Freshwat. Biol. 16: 67–91.
Burch, G. J., I. D. Moore & J. Burns, 1989. Soil hydrophobic effects on infiltration and catchment runoff. Hydrol. Processes 3: 211–222.
Canhoto, C. & M. A. S. Graga, 1992 Importância das folhas de eucalipto na alimentação de detritivoros aquáticos em ribeiros da zona centro de Portugal. Actas do V Congresso Ibérico de Entomologia 1: 473–483.
Canhoto, C. & M. A. S. Graga, 1995. Food value of introduced eucalypt leaves for a Mediterranean stream detritivore, Tipula lateralis. Freshwat. Biol. 34: 209–214.
Chergui, H. & E. Pattee, 1991a. Dégradation des feuilles mortes allochtones dans le réseau de la Basse Moulouya, au Maroc. Acta Oecol. 12: 543–560.
Chergui, H. & E. Pattee, 1991b. An experimental study of the breakdown of submerged leaves by hyphomycetes and invertebrates in Morocco. Freshwat. Biol. 26: 97–100.
Cuffney, T. F., J. B. Wallace & G. J. Lugthart, 1990. Experimental evidence quantifying the role of benthic invertebrates in organic matter dynamics of headwater streams. Freshwat. Biol. 23: 281–299.
Cummins, K. W., R. C. Petersen, F. O. Howard, J. C. Wuycheck & V.I. Holt, 1973. The utilization of leaf litter by stream detritivores. Ecology 54: 336–345.
Cummins, K. W., M. A. Wilzbach, D. M. Gates, J. B. Perry & W. B. Taliaferro, 1989. Shredders and riparian vegetation. BioScience 39: 24–30.
Faith, D. P., P. R. Minchin & L. Belbin, 1987. Compositional dissimilarity as a robust measure of ecological distance. Vegetatio 69: 57–68.
Feio, M., 1989. A reconversão da agricultura e a problemática do eucalipto. Associação Central da Agricultura Portuguesa. Lisboa, 166 pp.
Fisher, S. G. & G. E. Likens, 1973. Energy flow in Bear Brook, New Hampshire: an integrative approach to stream metabolism. Ecol. Monogr. 43: 421–439.
Gregory, S. V., F. J. Swanson, W. A. Mckee & K. W. Cummins, 1991. An ecosystem perspective of riparian zones: focus on links between land and water. BioScience 41: 540–551.
Hellawell, J. M., 1978. Biological Surveillance of Rivers: a Biological Monitoring Handbook. Water Research Centre, Stevenage Laboratory, Elder Waing, Herts SG1 1TH, 32 pp.
Lamb, R. J., 1985. Litter fall and nutrient turnover in two eucalipt woodlands. Aust. J. Bot. 33: 1–14.
Merritt, R. W. & K. W. Cummins (eds), 1984. An introduction to the aquatic insects of North America, 2nd edn. Kendall-Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, Iowa, 441 pp.
Molles, M. C. Jr, 1982. Trichopteran communities of streams associated with aspen and conifer forests: long-term structural change. Ecology 63: 1–6.
Ormerod, S. J., S. D. Rundle, E. C. Lloyd & A. A. Douglas, 1993. The influence of riparian management on the habitat structure and macroinvertebrate communities of upland streams draining plantation forests. J. appl. Ecol. 30: 13–24.
O'Keefe, M. A. & P. S. Lake, 1987. The decomposition of pine, eucalypt and acacia litter in a small upland victorian stream. Bull. Aust. Limnol. 11: 15–32.
Paiva, J. A. R., 1981. Mata da Margaraça e sua conversão em Reserva. Ann. Soc. Brot. 47: 49–66.
Pinay, G., H. Décamps, E. Chauvet & C. Fustec, 1990. Functions of ecotones in fluvial systems: 141–169. In Naiman, R. J. & H. Décamps (eds), The ecology and management of aquaticterrestrial ecotones. Man and the Biosphere Series. Vol. 4. Unesco, Paris, 316 pp.
Pressland, A. J., 1982. Litter production and decomposition from an overstorey of Eucalyptus spp on two catchments in a New England region of New South Wales. Aust. J. Ecol. 7: 171–180.
Reice, S. R., 1977. The role of animal associations and current velocity in sediment-specific litter decomposition. Oikos 29: 357–365.
Rounick, J. S. & M. J. Winterbourn, 1983. Leaf litter processing in two contrasting beech forest streams: effects of physical and biotic factors on litter breakdown. Arch. Hydrobiol. 96: 448–474.
Siegel, S. & N. J. Castellan, Jr., 1988. Nonparametric statistics for the behavioral sciences. 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill Inc., Singapore, 399 pp.
Shakesby, R. A., C. O. A. Coelho, A. D. F. Ferreira, J. P. Terry & R. P. D. Walsh, 1993. Wildfire impacts on soil erosion and hydrology in a wet Mediterranean forest, Portugal. Int. J. Wildland Fire 3: 95–110.
Snaddon, C. D., B. A. Stewart & B. R. Davies, 1992. The effect of discharge on leaf retention in two headwater streams. Arch. Hyrobiol. 125: 109–120.
Tachet, H., M. Bournaud & PH. Richoux, 1981. Introduction à l'étude des Macroinvertébrés des Eaux Douces. 3rd edn. C.R.D.P. Lyon, 155 pp.
Teixeira, C., 1972. Carta geológica de Portugal, escala 1/500 000. Serv. Geol. Portugal, Lisboa.
Terry, J. P., 1992. Rainsplash detachment and soil erosion in the Agueda basin, Portugal: the effects of forest fire and land management changes. PhD. thesis, University of Wales. Department of Geography, University College of Swansea.
Webster, J. R. & E. F. Benfield, 1986. Vascular plant breakdown in freshwater ecosystems. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 17: 567–594.
Zar, J. H., 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. 2nd edn. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 07623, London, 718 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abelho, M., Graça, M.A.S. Effects of eucalyptus afforestation on leaf litter dynamics and macroinvertebrate community structure of streams in Central Portugal. Hydrobiologia 324, 195–204 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016391
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00016391