Variation in the activity of the micro-organisms during the decay of the leaf litter of Salix pedicellata in the Lower Moulouya system, eastern Morocco

• Published in: Annales de limnologie Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 287 - 298
• Main Authors: Chergui, H, Legssyer, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: 01.01.1995
• Subjects: Salix pedicellata; Morocco
• ISSN: 0003-4088

Despite the importance of micro-organisms in the decay of organic matter in aquatic ecosystems, the study of their dynamics and activity remains still very reduced. In this paper, we try to quantify the activity of the micro-organisms with enzymatic methods. We describe hydrolase, deshydrogenase and cellulase dynamics during the processing of Salix pedicellata leaf litter in the Lower Moulouya system. The results show a correlation between the rate of decomposition and the enzymatic activity of linked micro-organisms. Evidently, the high values of the micro-organisms activity were detected in the Southwestern Branch characterized by a quick rate of decay. The drying of leaves influences deeply the hydrolase and cellulase dynamics, when the desydrogenase activity remains unaffected by decay of the leaves. This activity increase during spring, peaked during summer, rather decreased during cool season (autumn and winter). The cellulase activity rose its maximum in the Southwestern Branch in autumn. Despite the spatio-temporal variation in their dynamics, the three enzymatic groups evolved dependently.