Leaf litter retention, transport and decomposition in a tropical forest stream of Sirumalai hill (eastern ghats), South India

Leaf litter dynamic processes (retention, transportation and decomposition) were quantified in three different hydraulic habitats (riffle, run and pool) in a tropical deciduous forest stream of Sirumalai Hill (10° 27' N & 77° 29' E), South India. Total number of leaves per unit area, number of leaves retained by each habitat and litter retention coefficients were highest in pools, lowest in runs and intermediate in riffles. Leaf litter and total detrital dry weights were highest in pools and riffles respectively. One way ANOVA revealed significant effect of habitat types on all selected parameters except leaf litter dry weight. All selected hydraulic parameters vary significantly between habitat types particularly depth and water current. Quantitative data suggested that selected hydraulic factors (depth, water current and substrate heterogeneity) associated with habitat type strongly influence litter dynamic processes in the selected tropical forest stream.