Citation. Cudlip, L. S.; Perry, J. A. 1988. Is in-lake carbon processing phased to correlate with availability? Decomposition of Decodon verticillatus (L.) Ell. and Ceratophyllum demersum L. in Cedar Bog Lake, Minnesota, U.S.A. Arch. Hydrobiol. 111(3):383-396.   [1280  CC]

Abstract. In an attempt to clarify functional and detrital/trophic relationships in Cedar Bog Lake, Minnesota, we determined species specific detrital processing rates. Decomposition was measured with litter bags using a factorial design. Our plant species were Decodon verticillatus (L.) ELL. (an emergent shrub) and Ceratophyllum demersum L. (a submerged macrophyte). Decomposition rate was expressed as change in carbon, calculated as percent of ash free dry weight remaining over time. Decay coefficients (k, where e^-k =wt/woe^t) for year 1 (259 days) were 0.004 and 0.074, respectively for Decodon and Ceratophyllum, and for year 2 (205 days) 0.055 and 0.072 in fine mesh bags (1 mm mesh). For year 1 decay coefficients in coarse mesh bags (5 mm mesh) were 0.070 and 0.094 for Decodon and Ceratophyllum, respectively; and for year 2, 0.059 and 0.041 (based on a log-log model). Rapid initial decay of aquatic material suggests that detritivores may rely on in-lake sources in summer and autumn, and on riparian-allochthonous materials in winter and spring.