A conceptual model of litter breakdown in low order streams

Graça, Manuel A. S.; Ferreira, Verónica; Canhoto, Cristina; Encalada, Andrea C.; Guerrero-Bolaño, Francisco; Wantzen, Karl M.; Boyero, Luz

doi:10.1002/iroh.201401757

Cited by 172 publications

(145 citation statements)

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“…In an evolutionary perspective, the main hypotheses for the low density of Phylloicus sp. in tropical streams are: i) the higher water temperatures (Dobson et al, 2002;Boyero et al, 2011;Navarro et al, 2013); ii) lower availability of high-quality leaf litter (Wantzen & Wagner, 2006;Boyero et al, 2011Boyero et al, , 2012Rawi et al, 2013; Graça et al, 2015); and iii) negative ecological interactions (e.g., competition and predation; Navarro et al, 2013;Rezende et al, 2015). Shredders belonging to orders Plecoptera and Trichoptera evolved in cold environments (Merritt & Cummins, 1996) and the low tolerance to higher temperatures imply lower abundance in tropical streams (Dobson et al, 2002;Boyero et al, 2012;Navarro et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

et al. 2016

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Aim Shredders are generally not abundant in tropical streams, and there is considerable evidence suggesting that the food supply drives this pattern in headwaters. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of variation in the availability of food resources, over one year, on the density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae), which is one of the main shredders in Neotropical headwaters. Methods We measured the relative importance of organic matter in terms of vertical input (VI) and benthic standing stock (BS) on Phylloicus sp. density from October 2012 to September 2013 in a preserved third order stream in the Cerrado savannah biome, Federal District, Brazil. Results Leaves were abundant (monthly biomass of 24.2 g.m–2 ±23.1 SD in VI and 46.1 g.m–2 ±76.7 SD in BS), increasing at the end of dry season (August to October) and comprised the most abundant fraction in VI and BS (~ 70%). Phylloicus sp. had a low density throughout the year (2.4 ind.m–2 ±4.9 SD) and its peak (13.7 ind.m–2 ±17.1 SD in October) was associated with greater leaf biomass in VI and high electrical conductivity in the stream. The well-defined peak of Phylloicus sp. density in October suggests interplay between the increase in Phylloicus density and the leaf litter that enters the stream at the end of the dry season. Electrical conductivity was also higher in October, reflecting an increase in nutrient concentrations in the water during this period. Conclusions The availability of leaf litter may be a determinant factor for the seasonal variation in Phylloicus sp. density in tropical streams, suggesting a bottom-up effect. Changes in the supply of allochthonous resources to the stream can lead to modification in populations of shredders, such as Phylloicus sp., and anthropogenic influences on the riparian vegetation can affect ecological processes of great importance to streams.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

et al. 2016

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“…Stream pH, which typically reflects basic catchment lithology [63,64], also influenced litter breakdown rates, especially for litter mixtures. Breakdown was faster at higher pH, which agrees with the well-known effect of greater breakdown in more basic waters [65].…”

Section: (D) Higher Breakdown In More Alkaline Watersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biotic and abiotic variables influencing plant litter breakdown in streams: a global study

et al. 2016

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Plant litter breakdown is a key ecological process in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Streams and rivers, in particular, contribute substantially to global carbon fluxes. However, there is little information available on the relative roles of different drivers of plant litter breakdown in fresh waters, particularly at large scales. We present a global-scale study of litter breakdown in streams to compare the roles of biotic, climatic and other environmental factors on breakdown rates. We conducted an experiment in 24 streams encompassing latitudes from 47.88 N to 42.88 S, using litter mixtures of local species differing in quality and phylogenetic diversity (PD), and alder (Alnus glutinosa) to control for variation in litter traits. Our models revealed that breakdown of alder was driven by climate, with some influence of pH, whereas variation in breakdown of litter mixtures was explained mainly by litter quality and PD. Effects of litter quality and PD and stream pH were more positive at higher temperatures, indicating that different mechanisms may operate at different latitudes. These results reflect global variability caused by multiple factors, but unexplained variance points to the need for expanded global-scale comparisons.

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“…Plant litter also constitutes an important portion of the allochthonous inputs entering heterotrophic waters that run through mountain forests (Webster and Meyer 1997). Litter can decay much more rapidly in running waters than on forest floors due to the stronger effects of leaching and the stronger mechanical forces, such as abrasion caused by sediment transport, in running waters (Graça et al 2015). Lignin accounts for approximately 30% of the C sequestered in plant materials annually (Boerjan et al 2003).…”

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Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

et al. 2016

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. 2016. Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river. Ecosphere 7(10):e01523. 10. 1002/ecs2.1523 Abstract. Lignin and cellulose are thought to be critical factors that affect the rate of litter decomposition; however, few data are available on their degradation dynamics during litter decomposition in lotic ecosystems, such as forest rivers, where litter can decompose much more rapidly than in terrestrial ecosystems. We studied the degradation of lignin and cellulose in the foliar litter of four dominant riparian species (willow: Salix paraplesia; azalea: Rhododendron lapponicum; cypress: Sabina saltuaria; and larch: Larix mastersiana) in an alpine forest river. Over an entire year's incubation, litter lignin and cellulose degraded by 14.7-100% and 57.7-100% of their initial masses, respectively, depending on litter species. Strong degradations of lignin and cellulose occurred in the prefreezing period (i.e., the first 41 d) during litter decomposition, and the degradation rate was the highest among all the decomposition periods regardless of litter species. Litter species, decomposition period, and environmental factors such as temperature and nutrient availability showed significant influences on lignin and cellulose degradation rates. Compared with previously reported data regarding the dynamics of lignin and cellulose during litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems, our results suggest that lignin and cellulose can be degraded much more rapidly in lotic ecosystems, indicating that the traditionally used two-phased model for the dynamics of lignin in decomposing litter may not be suitable in lotic ecosystems.

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A conceptual model of litter breakdown in low order streams

Cited by 172 publications

References 132 publications

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

Leaf litter input and electrical conductivity may change density of Phylloicus sp. (Trichoptera: Calamoceratidae) in a Brazilian savannah stream

Biotic and abiotic variables influencing plant litter breakdown in streams: a global study

Degradation of lignin and cellulose during foliar litter decomposition in an alpine forest river

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