Importance of Leaf Litter Fragmentation for Bacterial Growth

Four fragment size groups of maple leaf litter (Acer platanoides) were leached with sterile water. The fragments and leachates were inoculated with bacteria isolated from maple leaf litter and bacterial activity and growth were determined. About 80-90% of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) released from the leaf fragments was released during the 1st day; the release was negatively correlated with fragment size. The 2nd day the correlation became positive whereas no correlation was found during days 3-7. Contents of DOC and phenolics in leachates were positively correlated. Release of chemical substances and not the surface area in itself influences bacterial growth and activity on fragmented maple leaf litter. -from Authors