The role of free and attached microorganisms in the decomposition of estuarine macrophyte detritus
Abundance and respiration of free and attached microorganisms were monitored during the decomposition of the seagrass Scirpus maritimus leaves in laboratory microcosms for 30 days. There was a clear succession between bacteria and heterotrophic flagellates during the course of the study. The beginning of the study (1-4 days) was characterized by higher rates of bacterial respiration, compared to t
