What global climate change may mean for leaf litter in streams and rivers Carbon emissions to the atmosphere from streams and rivers are expecte...

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What global climate change may mean for leaf litter in streams and rivers Carbon emissions to the atmosphere from streams and rivers are expected to increase as warmer water temperatures stimulate faster rates of organic matter breakdown. But a new study suggests these decay rates may not increase as much as expected. In fact, the study indicates average breakdown rates may increase 5 percent to 21 percent with a 1 degree to 4-degree Celsius rise in water temperature — half as much as the 10 percent to 45 percent increase predicted by metabolic theory.​ https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/03/170303081326.htm