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Linking Predation Risk, Herbivore Physiological Stress and Microbial Decomposition of Plant Litter
Published on: March 12, 2013
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Microbial decomposition is highly sensitive to leaf litter emersion in a permanent temperate stream.
Juanita Mora-Gómez1, Sofia Duarte2, Fernanda Cássio3
1Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17071 Girona, Spain.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 2, 2017
Summary
Droughts in temperate streams reduce leaf litter decomposition and alter microbial communities. Extended drying periods slow carbon cycling, impacting stream ecosystems and their functions.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Global change is increasing drought frequency and intensity in temperate regions.
- Permanent streams may become intermittent, affecting aquatic communities and ecosystem processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of drought duration on microbial decomposition of Populus nigra leaf litter.
- To assess changes in structural and functional parameters of fungal and bacterial communities.
Main Methods:
- Leaf litter was exposed to emersion for 7, 14, and 21 days in a temperate stream.
- Measured leaf decomposition rates, extracellular enzyme activities (EEA), fungal sporulation, bacterial and fungal biomass, and assemblage composition.
Main Results:
- Leaf decomposition and activities of β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, and phosphatase decreased with longer emersion.
- β-xylosidase and phenol oxidase activities showed reduced degradation with increasing drought duration.
- Microbial biomass and fungal sporulation declined after 21 days of emersion.
- Drought duration altered microbial assemblage structure, correlating with reduced lignin and hemicellulose degradation capacity.
Conclusions:
- Drought significantly impacts the structure and function of microbial decomposers in streams.
- Increased emersion periods are expected to decelerate carbon cycling by affecting decomposer communities and plant material decomposition.
