LITTER DECOMPOSITION IN A MOUNTAIN CAVE WATER

Decay rates, microbial respiration and macroinvertebrate colonization on decomposing litter of sorb, alnus and moss were investigated in a m ountain cave (Tatra Mts, Poland). The litter was experimentally introd uced into the cave poor. Weight losses of all three species were slow (k between 0.003 and 0.001) in coarse mesh (5 mm) boxes and similar to that found in fine mesh (0.3 mm) boxes. The low decomposition rate of studied litter was mostly due to the absence of big shredders. The am ount of energy released by respiration of microorganisms settled on mo ss was higher than for sorb and alder litter.