A conceptual model of litter breakdown in low order streams

Graça, Manual A.S., Ferreira, Verónica, Canhoto, Christina, Encalada, Andrea C., Guerrero-Bolaño, Francisco, Wantzen, Karl M., and Boyero, Luz (2015) A conceptual model of litter breakdown in low order streams. International Review of Hydrobiology, 100 (1). pp. 1-12.

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Abstract

The detrital-based food web of many streams and rivers plays a fundamental role in the cycling and retention of carbon and nutrients. However, we still need to understand which global mechanisms underlie the biogeochemical pathways that control energy transfer from the detrital pool through local food webs into nutrient and energy cycles and storage. Previous attempts to understand the variability in litter breakdown rates have included the search for latitudinal variation patterns and analysis of the influence of different factors. Here we complement those studies by developing a conceptual model to predict litter breakdown dynamics in low order streams. According to the model, litter breakdown rates and the relative role of microbial decomposers and shredder detritivores on this process are hierarchically governed by interactions between climate/hydrology and geology acting upon plant traits, nutrient and leaf availability to decomposers, and metabolism of microbial decomposers and shredders. The model explains variations in leaf litter breakdown rates and shredder abundance across large geographic areas, allowing the formulation of predictions of how anthropogenic pressures may affect litter breakdown rates.

Item ID: 44328
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1522-2632
Keywords: decomposition; organic; matter; processing; streams; shredders; aquatic hyphomycetes
Funders: Foundation of Science and Technology, Portugal (FCT), Ponticifia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia (PUJ), Spanish Ministry for Science and Innovation (MINECO)
Projects and Grants: FCT POCI/BIA-BDE/58297/200, FCT FRH/BPD/76482/2011, PUJ 12010RD0401200, MINECO CGL2010- 1628
Date Deposited: 16 Jun 2016 22:57
FoR Codes: 06 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 0602 Ecology > 060204 Freshwater Ecology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960807 Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
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