Leaf litter quantity
To estimate leaf-litter standing stocks, we sampled leaf material at 10
random locations using a 0.11 m2 quadrat, on the
riparian ground (5 on each bank, <1m from the bank top) and on
the streambed at each site and in each season. In riparian habitat and
on the streambed when dry, all visible detrital leaf material was
hand-picked within the quadrat. In flowing instream habitats, organic
matter was collected in a driftnet (mesh size = 500 µm) attached to
downstream side of the quadrat, after hand-disturbing the substrate to
suspend organic matter in the water column. For each habitat, the 10
samples were combined in the field and taken to the lab where they were
rinsed and cleaned from sediment, invertebrates, twigs and rocks.
Remaining leaf material was then oven-dried at 70°C for 78h, and weighed
to estimate dry mass. A subsample was then burnt at 550°C to estimate
ash-free dry mass.