Limnological effects of yellow pine watershed litter

Abstract

Selected chemical methods on natural and experimental infusion water were performed to determine the main effects of southwestern yellow pine litter on leachates. Pertinent literature is also reviewed. Reduction of alkalinity, color added to the water by needles, and high oxygen demands by leachates were the main negative effects observed. Positive effects of the leachates are addition of biogenic salts (high concentrations of phosphate and nitrate) and addition of organic matter. Main factors affecting import of litter into lakes are dryness of watershed, runoff rate, and buoyancy of litter. Direct estimates of organic import into Rose Canyon Lake during the 1966 summer rainy season are presented. From the data collected during this study, it appears that the inhibitory effects of pine needle leachates outweigh the relatively low trophic value contributed. Slow leaching of litter on the watershed is probably more beneficial to the fishery than import of whole litter into lakes.