Santos, Glaucia Regina Otto, Marina Shinkai Gentil de Souza Passos, José Raimundo Onofre, Felipe Ferreira Rodrigues, Valdemir Antônio de Paula, Felipe Rossetti de Barros Ferraz, Silvio Frosini Changes in decomposition rate and litterfall in riparian zones with different basal area of exotic <i>Eucalyptus</i> in south-eastern Brazil <p>Exotic species in riparian environments can influence the quantity and quality of litterfall in the ecological system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of <i>Eucalyptus</i> leaves on litterfall and terrestrial and aquatic leaf decomposition in a riparian forest in São Paulo state, Brazil. Three riparian zones were evaluated, and they were designated as areas of low (L), medium (M) and high (H) <i>Eucalyptus</i> basal area, respectively. Each riparian area was evaluated by surveying its structure and floristic composition. The amount of litterfall was evaluated over one year, and leaves were collected in terrestrial and vertical collectors. We evaluated the rates of aquatic and terrestrial decomposition of <i>Eucalyptus</i> and native leaves within litterbags. In general, area H had lower species richness, a higher edge effect and high <i>Eucalyptus</i> litterfall. Area L had higher species diversity (<i>H</i>′, Shannon– Wiener index), higher Pielou’s equitability index (<i>J</i>′), and smaller amounts of <i>Eucalyptus</i> litterfall. <i>Eucalyptus</i> leaves had higher extractive and lignin content compared with that of native trees. <i>Eucalyptus</i> leaves had a lower decomposition rate, except for the aquatic environment in area M. Our results show that the presence of <i>Eucalyptus</i> in riparian zones can increase litterfall and reduce the rate of leaf decomposition, but more studies are needed to evaluate any changes in ecosystem function from <i>Eucalyptus</i> presence.</p> environmental management;exotic species;riparian forests;stream ecosystems 2019-11-04
    https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Changes_in_decomposition_rate_and_litterfall_in_riparian_zones_with_different_basal_area_of_exotic_i_Eucalyptus_i_in_south-eastern_Brazil/8667737
10.6084/m9.figshare.8667737.v2