The time effect may be due to the slow dessication of the 0 to -10 cm layer due to

the capillary draw of water from the saturated zone. Additionally, much of this layer may

still contain a substantial portion of anaerobic microsites (Kettunen et al., 1998). Larger

differences between the two treatments may therefore be expected over an extended

incubation time. This is supported by a previous study in which increases of soil

respiration rates due to soil drainage was seen to be time dependent (DeBusk, 1996).

Lastly, the higher EICQ in the WCA-3A cores may be attributed to the soil composition

differences between the two sites. WCA-3A is primarily an organic peat matrix while the

ENP-TS profile is uniquely dominated by a robust periphyton mat in various stages of

decay. Therefore, the nutritional basis for the resident heterotrophic microbial

communities is distinct between the two sites.

 It should be noted that the majority of enzyme activities showed a large reduction

in activity between the initial collections following the field sampling event. This initial

decrease in activity suggests that a core effect is occurring, possibly due to the lessening

of nutrient and microbial waste exchange between the porewater and surface water due to

the lack of a constantly replenished source. Additionally, the accumulation of DOC from

mineralization processes may be occurring within the porewater (Blodau et al., 2004).

This also suggests that a large effect of drought may occur within the initial time frame of

hours or days following a treatment. The use of cumulative enzyme activities, either in

the form of slopes or net activity reduces this effect in interpreting the data.

 Conclusions

 The ecological implications of these findings suggest that a lengthened hydroperiod

with a significant drought period will result in decreased net organic matter accumulation