Effects of Tannins on Leaf Processing and Conditioning Rates in Aquatic Ecosystems: An Empirical Approach

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Author(s)
Ostrofsky, Milton L.
Date Issued
May 1, 1993
Abstract
Tannin concentrations were determined in the autumn-shed leaves of 48 species of deciduous trees. Chemical measures of tannins (total phenolics and condensed tannins) were significantly correlated with protein-precipitating capacity. None of these measures of tannin concentration, however, were significantly related to published leaf processing rates, measured as weight loss versus time, or to microbial colonization, measured as rates of lipid synthesis on conditioned leaves. These data suggest that the large variation seen in leaf processing rates is due to factors other than tannin concentration and that much of this variation is due to abiotic factors such as leaching and physical fragmentation. Microbial activity on leaves showed much less variation than did processing rates.
Journal
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Department
Biology
Citation
Ostrofsky, M.L. (1993). Effects of tannins on leaf processing and conditioning rates in aquatic ecosystems: An empirical approach. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 50(6): 1176-1180. doi:10.1139/f93-134
Publisher
NRC Research Press
Version of Article
Published article
DOI
10.1139/f93-134
Rights
This article has been selected for publishing by NRC Research Press in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Please contact the publisher for further use of this material.
Subjects

leaves

tannin concentration

processing rates

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