Local geology determines responses of stream producers and fungal decomposers to nutrient enrichment: A field experiment.

ABSTRACT: We examined how short-term (19 days) nutrient enrichment influences stream fungal and diatom communities, and rates of leaf decomposition and algal biomass accrual. We conducted a field experiment using slow-releasing nutrient pellets to increase nitrate (NO₃-N) and phosphate (PO₄-P) concentrations in a riffle section of six naturally acidic (naturally low pH due to catchment geology) and six circumneutral streams. Nutrient enrichment increased microbial decomposition rate on average by 14%, but the effect was significant only in naturally acidic streams. Nutrient enrichment also decreased richness and increased compositional variability of fungal communities in naturally acidic streams. Algal biomass increased in both stream types, but algal growth was overall very l

SUBMITTER: Mykra H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6297103 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature