Warming reverses top-down effects of predators on belowground ecosystem function in Arctic tundra.

ABSTRACT: Predators can disproportionately impact the structure and function of ecosystems relative to their biomass. These effects may be exacerbated under warming in ecosystems like the Arctic, where the number and diversity of predators are low and small shifts in community interactions can alter carbon cycle feedbacks. Here, we show that warming alters the effects of wolf spiders, a dominant tundra predator, on belowground litter decomposition. Specifically, while high densities of wolf spiders result in faster litter decomposition under ambient temperatures, they result, instead, in slower decomposition under warming. Higher spider densities are also associated with elevated levels of available soil nitrogen, potentially benefiting plant production. Changes in decomposition rates under increase

SUBMITTER: Koltz AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6094120 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature