Leaf traits drive plant diversity effects on litter decomposition and FPOM production in streams.

ABSTRACT: Biodiversity loss in riparian forests has the potential to alter rates of leaf litter decomposition in stream ecosystems. However, studies have reported the full range of positive, negative and no effects of plant diversity loss on decomposition, and there is currently no explanation for such inconsistent results. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether plant diversity loss affects other ecological processes related to decomposition, such as fine particulate organic matter production or detritivore growth, which precludes a thorough understanding of how detrital stream food webs are impacted by plant diversity loss. We used a microcosm experiment to examine the effects of plant diversity loss on litter decomposition, fine particulate organic matter production, and growth of a dominant leaf-sh

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Rojo N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5973617 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature