open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/90344

Catchment geology preconditions spatio-temporal heterogeneity of ecosystem functioning in forested headwater streams

英語

Invertebrates

2022-09-07

Springer

Hydrobiologia

849

4307-4324

Catchment geology can affect water chemistry and groundwater influence, eventually affecting macroinvertebrate communities, but its effects on stream functions such as leaf decomposition have been scarcely investigated. To understand the effects of geology on leaf decomposition, we conducted leaf litter experiments in streams with volcanic and non-volcanic substrata using fine and coarse mesh bags. Volcanic spring-fed streams showed lower temperature in summer and higher temperature in winter (with temperature difference being more pronounced later in incubation) than non-volcanic streams. Macroinvertebrate communities captured inside coarse litter bags differed in the two stream types in both seasons, mainly because of shredder communities. Shredder abundance and biomass were higher in volcanic streams in both seasons. Geology-dependent temperature influenced microbe-mediated decomposition in both seasons, with total phosphorus as an additional driver in winter. Summer temperature was associated with an overall positive effect on the abundance of shredders, which affected invertebrate-mediated decomposition, but this was not evident in winter. Shredder activity in volcanic streams compensated for temperature-dependent microbial activity resulting in an overall balance in leaf decomposition. Spring-fed systems are valuable ecosystems, particularly for cold-adapted species. Thus, understanding these understudied ecosystems will significantly aid in their appropriate conservation.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Hydrobiologia. The final authenticated version is available online at:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-04992-9

0018-8158