Benthic invertebrate assemblages and leaf decomposition rates were usedto assess the effects of copper on community structure and function in EastProng Creek, VA. Copper concentrations ranged from 12–32 µgl− 1 at three downstream disturbed sites and 0.1–2.0 µg l− 1 at an upstream reference site. Benthic samplingshowed reduced taxonomic richness and numbers of individuals at thedisturbed sites and leaf decomposition rates at the disturbed sites were1. 4–2.7 times slower than at the upstream reference site