Contrasting responses to aridity by different-sized decomposers cause similar decomposition rates across a precipitation gradient.

ABSTRACT: Litter decomposition is expected to be positively associated with precipitation despite evidence that decomposers of varying sizes have different moisture dependencies. We hypothesized that higher tolerance of macro-decomposers to aridity may counterbalance the effect of smaller decomposers, leading to similar decomposition rates across climatic gradients. We tested this hypothesis by placing plant litter baskets of different mesh sizes in seven sites along a sharp precipitation gradient, and by characterizing the macro-decomposer assemblages using pitfall trapping. We found that decomposers responded differently to precipitation levels based on their size. Microbial decomposition increased with precipitation in the winter while macro-decomposition peaked in arid sites during the summer. T

SUBMITTER: Torsekar VR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11479586 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature