Leaf-Litter Mixtures Affect Breakdown and Macroinvertebrate Colonization Rates in a Stream Ecosystem
Title | Leaf-Litter Mixtures Affect Breakdown and Macroinvertebrate Colonization Rates in a Stream Ecosystem |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Abelho, M. |
Journal | International Review of Hydrobiology |
Volume | 94 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 436 - 451 |
Date Published | 2009/// |
Keywords | Biodiversity, decomposition, FOREST, richness, shredders |
Abstract | Previous work in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems has suggested that the relationship between breakdown rates of leaf litter and plant species richness may change unpredictability due to non-additive effects mediated by the presence of key-species. By using single- and mixed-species leaf bags (7 possible combinations of three litter species differing in toughness; common alder [Alnus glutinosa ], sweet chestnut [Castanea sativa ], and Spanish oak [Quercus ilex ilex ]), I tested whether leaf species diversity, measured as richness and composition, affects breakdown dynamics and macroinvertebrate colonization (abundance, richness and composition) during 90 days incubation in a stream. Decomposition rates were additive, i.e., observed decomposition rates were not different from expected ones. However, decomposition rates of individual leaf species were affected by the mixture, i.e., there were species-specific responses to mixing litter. The invertebrate communities colonizing the mixtures were not richer and more diverse in mixtures than in single-species leaf bags. On the opposite, mixing leaf species had a negative, non-additive effect on rates of shredder and taxa colonization and on macroinvertebrate diversity. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) |
URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/iroh.200811159(link is external) |