Microbial community dynamics and transformation of vascular plant detritus in two wetland ecosystems

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:6294054

Moran, M A

The microbial ecology of two wetland ecosystems in southeastern Georgia, USA, was studied with respect to microbial community dynamics and microbially-mediated transformations of vascular plant detritus. In the Okefenokee Swamp, biomass of microorganisms in the water column and sediments was generally lower in winter months and higher during spring and summer. Biomass and activity (measured as /sup 14/C-lignocellulose mineralization) differed significantly among five habitats within the Okefenokee, and also among locations within each habitat. Significant heterogeneity in the structure of Okefenokee microbial communities was found at scales from 30 cm to 150 m. In field and laboratory studies of vascular plant decomposition in the Okefenokee and a salt marsh on Sapelo Island, the mathematical model which best describes decomposition kinetics is the decaying coefficient model.

• Research Organization: Georgia Univ., Athens (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6294054
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510101* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- Radiometric Techniques-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CELLULOSE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
DETRITUS
ECOLOGY
ECOSYSTEMS
FEDERAL REGION IV
GEORGIA
HABITAT
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MICROORGANISMS
MINERALIZATION
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
POPULATION DYNAMICS
SACCHARIDES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
USA
WETLANDS